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    No increase in Local Property Tax bills for 2021

    Taxpayers will not have to face increased Local Property Tax bills for 2021 after the Finance Minister decided to defer the valuation date for the tax from November this year to November next year.
    Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said that as with many aspects of the economy, the pandemic has introduced volatility into the residential property market.
    Mr Donohoe said he was also conscious of the need to allow sufficient time for the Revenue Commissioners to introduce the necessary changes to the LPT regime before any new valuation date.
    “Consequently I have decided to defer the valuation date from November 1, 2020 to November 1, 2021. With this new valuation date, there will be no change in LPT liabilities until 2022 at the earliest,” Mr Donohoe said.
    New homes purchased since since the introduction of the tax in 2013 have been exempt.
    The Minister said he will bring forward proposals for primary legislation to implement the Programme for Government commitments on LPT in early 2021.
    He said these proposals will be designed to ensure fairness and that most homeowners will face no increase in their LPT liabilities.
    They will also bring new homes, which are currently exempt from the LPT or outside of the tax, into the taxation system.
    “I will also seek to promote the other policy objectives that I consider should underpin the tax, ie protecting the overall LPT yield; maintaining the tax base with a small number of exemptions and upholding the progressivity of the tax,” Mr Donohoe added.
    A review into the property tax was undertaken in 2015 but no changes have been made since. More

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    Blackrock Villas – Glenveagh’s new development is in the heart of one of Cork’s most sought after areas

    New phase launched at the weekend
    If Cork is the so-called People’s Republic then Blackrock is where most of those people want to live.
    One of the most coveted areas of the city, Blackrock has all you could ever need to enjoy life from the weekly farmers’ market, great walks and fabulous restaurants to sporting facilities, shops and tourist attractions.
    Now you could be living there right in the heart of it all following the latest release in Glenveagh Homes’ stunning new development, Blackrock Villas.

    This prestigious development of spacious three, four, and five bedroom family homes is located in the heart of the leafy suburb.
    Set in the historic Blackrock Village accessed from the Square, Blackrock Villas is situated at the end of a tree lined avenue surrounded by a mature formal landscaped garden square accessible to its residence.

    Since it was launched in autumn 2019 all 3 bed semi detached and 4 bed detached homes have been sold. A further release of 5 bed three storey townhouses overlooking the landscaped communal gardens, all with south facing rear gardens, are being released at prices starting from €495,000.
    Lifestyle
    One of the key benefits of living in Blackrock is the lifestyle it offers. The weekly farmers’ market every Sunday is a real treat while there are no shortage of pubs, restaurants, shops and schools nearby.
    The village is just a 20 minute walk to the city centre yet you have the feeling of being in nature due to living by the water’s edge, with plenty of wildlife in the area giving a country feel at times.
    Blackrock has undergone enormous transformation in recent times with a recently revamped waterside village square one of its main attractions.
    The Marina, the treelined south bank of the river boasts three rowing clubs, the modern Pairc Ui Chaoimh stadium and the iconic and world renowned Blackrock Castle observatory nearby attracts visitors from all over the world.

    Blackrock Villas offers the best of both worlds with the bustling city of Cork just five minutes away and all the outdoor amenities right on your doorway.
    Blackrock Villas is ideally located close to the south bank of the River Lee, located at the end of the driveway and set in one of Cork City’s most popular and picturesque locations. This exclusive development is located just 3km from Cork city centre and provides excellent transport connections to the city and its surroundings via road networks and public transport.
    The scheme has easy access to the N40 South Ring Road network providing access to western routes as well as connection to Dublin (M8) and Waterford (N25). The area is regularly serviced by several bus routes. The 202 and 215 bus routes link Blackrock to the city centre and the 219 bus route links Blackrock to the western suburbs via Douglas.
    Local Amenities
    Blackrock is a lively, family friendly location with plenty of local amenities to suit every member of the family. There are six primary schools in the area as well as three secondary schools. There are shops, a post office, medical centre, pharmacy, hospitals and a leisure centre including a gym, swimming pool, sauna and steam room within walking distance, while local restaurants, bars, cafes and a farmer’s market in the new revamped square cater for a lively and varied social life. Blackrock Villas is also positioned midway on the amenity 5km foot and cycle path which historically formed part of the railway line between Passage West and the city centre. The Marina which is the treelined south bank of the river boasts three rowing clubs, Pairc Ui Chaoimh stadium and the iconic and world-renowned Blackrock Castle observatory nearby attracts visitors from all over the world. ‘The Castle Cafe’ restaurant which is in the castle grounds is a regular haunt for locals taking a break from their outdoor activities.

    A new municipal park is to be constructed on lands to the north of Blackrock Villas which will incorporate a children’s playground.
    Mahon Point Shopping Centre is Munster’s largest shopping centre and is less than 3km from Blackrock Villas. The centre has over 60 stores including Debenhams, Tesco, Zara, Oasis, Next and a thirteen-screen Omniplex cinema. City Gate office campus adjacent to Mahon Point Shopping Centre is home to approximately 3,500 employees.
    History and Culture
    The historic Blackrock House is adjacent to Blackrock Villas sharing an access and both benefit from views over the formal landscaped garden and Oratory. The building now comprises a high-end apartment scheme. A short distance from the village is Blackrock Castle, which was originally constructed as a coastal defence fortification in the 16th century with historians telling us a castle has been on the site since medieval times. The present structure completed in 1829 is now a world-renowned observatory.
    Blackrock was formerly served by the narrow gauge Cork, Blackrock and Passage Railway. Blackrock railway station opened on 8 June 1850, but finally closed on 12 September 1932. There is a small section of the rail line preserved at the entrance to Blackrock Villas.

    House features
    Some of the notable features of Blackrock Villas include:
    External Features• Maintenance free, tasteful mix of brick and render exteriors.• PVC fascia, gutters and downpipes.• Composite front doors with secure five-point locking system.
    Electrical & Heating• Generous lighting and power points with chrome sockets &switches in the kitchen around the countertop area.• Smoke detectors and heat detectors fitted as standard.• TV connection in living and master bedroom.• Wired for an intruder alarm.• Air to Water Heat Pump High Efficiency Heat Pump.
    Kitchens• Superb Kube contemporary kitchen with soft close doors and stone worktop.• All kitchens are integrated with an upstand and elegant stainless-steel extractor fan as in the show houses.• Stainless steel sink featuring an elegant tap.
    Gardens• Driveways finished in paving with two car-parking spaces.• Seeded gardens with secure post and panel fencing to rear gardens.
    Bathroom & Ensuite• Stylish contemporary bathroom, ensuite and guest WC with elegant sanitary ware.• Beautiful taps, shower heads & bath fittings.• Carefully chosen tiles on all bathroom floors and wet areas as in our show houses.
    Windows & Doors• Two-toned uPVC double glazed windows with grey exterior and white interiors.• French double doors to back garden.
    Wardrobes• Panel style fitted wardrobes in master and three additional bedrooms as in the show houses.
    Internal Finishes• Walls painted throughout in a mid-tone easy neutral paint with ceilings painted in white.• Quality interior joinery to include painted internal shaker-style doors and contemporary skirting and architraves finished in an off-white satin paint.• Pull-down attic ladder in all homes.
    Energy Efficiency• All homes are A-rated and incorporate sustainable and renewable technology resulting in lower energy costs.• High level of insulation incorporated in floors, walls and roofs.• All houses are constructed to provide a high level of air tightness in order to retain heat.
    Guarantee• Each Blackrock Villas home is covered by a 10-year Homebond Structural Unit
    For further details on Blackrock Villas check out www.blackrockvillas.ie or find out more now on MyHome.ie here. Private viewings are also available by contacting selling agents Sherry Fitzgerald New Homes on 021 4270099 More

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    Prospective homebuyers still confident about buying despite Covid-19 impact

    71% of potential buyers are planning on purchasing a property in the next year
    40% expect property prices to fall by up to 10% in the next year
    76% believe the Government could do more to help the property sector
    73% feel safe viewing properties at present
    Prospective homebuyers are still confident about their ability to buy despite resilient house prices and the ongoing effect of Covid-19 to the economy, according to a new survey from MyHome.ie.
    The survey suggests that 71% of prospective buyers are still planning on buying a new property in the next year. This compares with 68% of prospective buyers who were surveyed last May.
    However, consumer opinion regarding house prices has changed since the summer. Now, just 13% of survey respondents believe property prices will fall by over 10% in the next year, whereas last May 37% of consumers predicted that outcome.
    Four in ten consumers now believe that prices will fall by up to 10% in the next year, while half of all respondents believe next year will represent a good time to buy property.
    The survey of 2,716 people also found that three-quarters (76%) of respondents believe the Government could do more to help the property sector.
    The virus is expected to have significant long-term effects, with 61% of respondents believing it will lead to more online processes in general to minimise unnecessary contact. Meanwhile, 23% believe it will lead to quicker sales processes in general.
    In a boost to the sector, 73% of respondents to the survey said they felt safe viewing properties at present.
    Angela Keegan, Managing Director of MyHome.ie, said that the findings reflected the ongoing demand that was evident in the market.
    “Even though consumers have not seen the price drops that many predicted when Covid-19 emerged, demand has stayed strong throughout Q2 and Q3. It appears that many prospective buyers have not been hit by the economic fallout from Covid-19. MyHome.ie had its busiest ever month for website traffic last July, and this is reflected in the fact that seven out of ten respondents are planning on purchasing a property in the next year.”
    However, Ms Keegan warned that it was crucial that construction activity be allowed to continue in the coming months.
    “Our analysis shows that stock levels are down by 22% year-on-year, which is concerning. A healthy, functioning property market needs a good balance of supply and demand, and as such we need to see construction continue unimpeded over the winter if at all possible.” More

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    Love That Home – houses for sale on MyHome.ie with their own tennis courts

    The final of the US Open tennis championship takes place this weekend and with Wimbledon having been cancelled this summer it’s the nearest we’re likely to get to a big tennis tournament.
    When the Grand Slam tournaments take place, interest tends to soar at tennis clubs around the country.
    For a few lucky homeowners they only have to venture out their back door to hit a few serves and volleys.
    Here’s some of the finest homes with tennis courts on the market right now on MyHome.ie…
    Radharc, Woodtown Way, Stocking Lane, Dublin 16

    Shanbally, Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick

    Ballinamona, Shanagarry, Midleton, Co Cork

    19 Grosvenor Road, Rathgar, Dublin 6

    Derrynane House, Rathcannon, Athlacca, Kilmallock, Co Limerick

    Summerhill, Marino Avenue West, Killiney, Co Dublin More

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    MyHome.ie Webinar – A chat with Steven Blanc of BidX1

    We’re delighted to bring you another MyHome.ie Webinar today.
    In this week’s episode, we chat to Steven Blanc, Head of Business Development for Bid X1.
    Steven discusses the business, how it has been impacted by Covid-19 and what its plans are going forward including a move into digital private treaty sales.
    Check it out below…
    [embedded content]
    You can check out all the latest properties available from BidX1 at www.bidx1.com More

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    Uni Units – some of the best student accommodation on offer right now

    The Leaving Cert results are out on Monday and with that will come the inevitable rush for college places.
    Settling in to your surroundings can be key in your first year at an IT or university so we’ve picked out some of the best student accommodation on MyHome.ie right now.
    Check them out below…
    Millbrook Student Accommodation, Carlow

    Located just five minutes from the town centre, 15 minutes from Carlow IT and five minutes from St Patrick’s College, this student accommodation also. Benefits from 1,000MB unlimited broadband.
    Binary Hub, Bonham Street, Dublin 8

    The Binary Hub is home to 471 students and is located within close proximity of most of Dublin’s main colleges such as NCAD, Trinity College, RCSI, BIMM, DBS and numerous language schools in the city.
    Summerhill, Mountjoy Square, Dublin 1

    These high quality student apartments are available on a single occupancy basis only and cost from €240 per week including bills. Within walking distance of the city centre and several of the Dublin’s main education hubs. On site facilities include: a gym, games room, study rooms, cinema, roof top terrace and much more.
    Green Park student accommodation, Dundalk, Co Louth

    This purpose built student accommodation is situated just a few minutes walk away from Dundalk IT. Each apartment has five single bedrooms with two bathrooms.
    Ballymun Road, Ballymun, Dublin 11

    The Aspen apartments close to DCU have a range of options from self-contained studios to shared apartments. Aspen also has a long list of onsite facilities for you to explore and enjoy, including a big common area, cinema, gym, games room and more. More

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    The last of the summer nights

    The weather might not have been great recently and the evenings might be closing in but ahead of the last weekend in August, we’re hoping we can get out our back garden this weekend to enjoy the last of the summer nights.
    Whether it’s to watch the kids play, enjoy a BBQ or take away or to sit back and relax with a friend, family member or book, there’s few things better than a chilled out evening watching the sun go down in your garden.
    Here’s some properties on the market right now that certainly fit that description…
    6 Garden Village Court, Kilpedder, Co Wicklow
    www.myhome.ie/4449526
    Convent Garden, Kinsale, Co Cork
    www.myhome.ie/3618143
    62 Bloomfield Park, Bloomfield Avenue, Donnybrook, Dublin 4
    www.myhome.ie/4449222
    Loughanunna, Dungarvan, Co Waterford
    www.myhome.ie/4445468
    Drummond, Inniskeen, Co Louth
    www.myhome.ie/4447640
    Chestnut Avenue, Foxburrow, Portlaoise, Co Laois
    www.myhome.ie/4351060
    18 The Streams, Caragh, Naas, Co Kildare
    www.myhome.ie/4450415 More