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    Help-to-buy scheme extended in Budget 2021

    The help-to-buy scheme for first time buyers was extended to the end of 2021 in the Budget on Tuesday.
    The scheme helps first-time buyers with the deposit needed to buy or build a new house or apartment with relief of the lower of 10% of the value of the property or €30,000 available.
    Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath signalled what he termed a “radical reappraisal on how we deliver housing.” in his Budget 2021 speech.
    Announcing a record level of funding for the Department of Housing – an increase of €773 million on last year – he said the Government will place a “much greater emphasis on building social and affordable housing.”
    He said his policy will deliver 9,500 social homes next year.
    The Stamp Duty Residential Development Refund Scheme due to expire on 31 December 2021 will also be extended to operations commenced by 31 December 2022.
    Stamp Duty Residential Development Refund Scheme provides for refund of a portion of the Stamp Duty paid on the acquisition of non-residential land where that land is subsequently developed for residential purposes.
    Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe said that due to the impact on the sector of Covid-19, and also to certain issues that have been brought to his attention since its introduction, he is to make a number of changes to it this year.
    Apart from the extension to the expiration date, the time allowed between commencement and completion of a qualifying project is being extended by six months to two-and-a-half years.
    Michael McGrath allocated €110m for affordable housing and cost rental schemes in Budget 2021.
    Announcing the funding, the Minister said that thousands of people find themselves locked out of the property market due to high rents.
    He announced a total of €5.2 billion to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage next year.
    Mr McGrath said that an extra €500m would facilitate the construction of 9,500 new social housing units in 2021 and a total of 12,750 units will be added to the social housing stock.
    He said there would be €65m to fund deep retrofitting of social housing stock.
    Minister McGrath promised an additional €22m to support homelessness programmes and the introduction of a cold weather initiative.
    He said a basic need in life is to have secure place to live and he said that for too many people in Ireland that need remains unfulfilled.
    Tackling homelessness was a top priority for Government, he said.
    Minister McGrath said that the country was able to deliver public housing when it was much poorer than it is today, and he said they would do this again.
    He said the Land Development Agency would play an important role in the Government’s affordable housing strategy into the future.
    The Minister said that the agency would have over €1.2bn of funding to progress the range of projects already under way.
    Responding to the Budget 2021 announcement, Dr David Duffy, Director of Property Industry Ireland (PII), the Ibec group for businesses working in the property sector, said: “Property Industry Ireland welcomes the commitment in the Budget to housing and capital spending.
    “The reference by Minister McGrath that the housing crisis will be solved through both public and private delivery of housing is positive. PII also welcomes the announcement of an Affordable Purchase Shared Equity Scheme for first time buyers.
    “While the budget allocated will mean that it will have limited impact on making more homes available, PII is ready to engage with the Department of Housing on the structure of the scheme to ensure that families can be in new homes as soon as possible.” More

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    MyHome.ie Webinar – Real Estate Alliance chairman Anthony McGee

    We’re delighted to bring you another MyHome.ie Webinar today.
    In this week’s episode, we chat to Real Estate Alliance chairman Anthony McGee.
    Anthony, who runs REA McGee in Tallaght, discusses the impact of Covid-19 on the business, the launch of their new product BidNow and on the trends he has noticed in the Irish property market in recent months.
    Check it out below…
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    For further details on Real Estate Alliance visit www.realestatealliance.ie. REA McGee’s website can also be found here. More

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    Cosy Cottages: Five of the best cottages on MyHome.ie right now

    As we head into the shorter evenings there’s something comforting about the prospect of cosying up in front of the fireplace after a long day.
    Where better to do that than in one of the many fine cottages around Ireland.
    Here we look at five of the best available on MyHome.ie right now…
    Birch Cottage, Bannow, Co Wexford

    Stripe Cottage, Furbo, Co Galway

    Walnut Cottage, Coolacussane, Dundrum, Co Tipperary

    Claremoy Cottage, Clooneyogan South Moy, Lahinch, Co Clare

    Ruby Cottages, Carrigtishane, Rineen, Skibbereen, Co Cork More

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    MyHome.ie Webinar – A chat with buyers’ agent Breffnie O’Kelly

    We’re delighted to bring you another MyHome.ie Webinar today.
    In this week’s episode, we chat to buyers agent Breffnie O’Kelly.
    Breffnie discusses what her job entails, how she can help you find your ideal home and how Covid-19 has changed consumer attitudes towards the housing market over the last six months.
    Check it out below…
    [embedded content] More

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    Plough On – Some of the best farmhouses on the market right now

    The Ploughing Championships were due to have taken place this week but, like many events this year, it has fallen victim to Covid-19.
    Thankfully, there is another event planned for Laois next year but the love of farming is a year round one.
    With that in mind, we decided to look at some of the best farms and farmhouses on the market right now around the country.
    Check them out below…
    Holly Farm, Rathdrum, Co Wicklow
    Loughbeg Farm, Lissacaha, Schull, Co Cork

    Knockadreet Farm, Knockadreet, Ashford, Co Wicklow

    Swanberry Farm, Pallas, Gorey, Co Wexford

    FoxMeadow House Stud Farm, Kileen, Mullinavat, Co Kilkenny More

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    Residential property prices fall by 0.5% nationally

    Residential property prices decreased by 0.5% nationally in the year to July, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office.
    By contrast was no change in the year to June and an increase of 2.2% in the twelve months to July 2019.
    In Dublin, residential property prices saw a decline of 1.3% in the year to July – house prices decreased by 1.2% and apartments increased by 0.4%. The highest house price growth in Dublin was in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown at 1.3%, while Dublin City saw a decline of 2.7%.
    Residential property prices in Ireland excluding Dublin were 0.2% higher in the year to July, with house and apartment prices up by 0.3%. The region outside of Dublin that saw the largest rise in house prices was the South-West at 4.3% – at the other end of the scale, the South-East saw a 1.6% decline.
    Overall, the national index is 17.7% lower than its highest level in 2007. Dublin residential property prices are 22.7% lower than their February 2007 peak, while residential property prices in the Rest of Ireland are 20.2% lower than their May 2007 peak.
    Property prices nationally have increased by 83.5% from their trough in early 2013. Dublin residential property prices have risen 91.4% from their February 2012 low, whilst residential property prices in the Rest of Ireland are 83.6% higher than at the trough, which was in May 2013. More

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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