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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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    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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    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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    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