How much can I afford?
It’s very important to find out how much you can afford before to start looking at properties - it avoids disappointment & reduces time wasting. You can apply to your mortgage broker to get an approval in principle which will give you an idea of what price range you should be considering.

How do I decide what type of property to buy?
The property you buy depends on what your requirements are – single professionals may be best suited to an apartment in the centre of a city whereas a family with children may require a detached property with a garden in a safe area. A retired couple on the other hand may be best suited to a small property, easy to manage & close to services & amenities. Before looking at properties you should make a list of your requirements, in priority order.

How do I decide where to buy?
You will have to do a bit of research into the area where you are looking at properties to see how it matches your requirements. 

	How far is it from work each day?
	Are there public transport facilities close by?
	What services & amenities are in the area - schools, shops, childcare etc.

If you are unsure about an area, the best thing to do is rent there for a few months.

How do I choose an agent?
Buying or Selling a property is usually the biggest investment you will make so when you visit an agent, its worth considering whether you can happily work with them & their team. Alternatively ask friends or family for recommendations.

What are the hidden costs of buying property?

Stamp Duty	Rates can range from 0-9% depending on whether the purchaser is a first-time buyer, an owner occupier or an investor. See table
Legal Fee's	Usually approx. 1% plus VAT
Life Insurance	Lender will insist that purchasers have sufficient life insurance to repay the outstanding capital should you die before the mortgage is repaid.
Building Insurance	Lenders will also insist that adequate buildings insurance is in place on the property before they will release the funds to the solicitor.
Survey	Lenders will require a valuation survey by a valuer either on their panel of approved valuers or one with equivalent qualifications. The purpose is to make sure that the property is worth what they are lending. You pay for this valuation and the cost is approx. €150 to €250.
Land Registry	There is a fee payable to the Land Registry for registering the transfer of the deeds into the purchasers name. Land Registry fee are approx. €500.
Title Search	This verifies that the title of the property being purchased is in order. Approx cost €160.

How do I choose a solicitor?
The best way to find a solicitor is by personal recommendation. Ask family or friends about solicitors they have used in the past and how satisfied they were with their service. Phone a few and see how helpful they are and how they treat you. The standard fee is approx. 1% of the purchase price.

Can I pull out of the sale?
Yes, both parties can change their minds as long as no contacts have been exchanged. Until contacts have been signed, the booking deposit is fully refundable. After this point, a legal obligation to sell/buy is in place so if either party decides to pull out there could be legal action taken against them.