The emergence of new homes as a real option for buyers, for the first time in a decade, is set to modify growth in the cost of second-hand properties, estate agents have predicted.

Trish Dromey views a fine Georgian country home which could be turned to a number of uses.   

A new report from the Society for Chartered Surveyors in Ireland (SCSI) shows that construction tender prices have risen by 2.6% in first half of 2017. 

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has promised to work “might and main” to protect homeowners from increases in local property tax rates.

The average price of a three bedroom semi-detached house has topped €221,000 — a 3.1% jump since June.

The price of an average home is surging by €500 a week, according to new figures from Real Estate Alliance.

The price of the average Irish home has risen by 3.5% in the first three months of the year, according to a survey carried out by an estate agents’ body.

High house prices in the capital are forcing people into longer commutes to and from work, according to a study, which shows prices in commuter counties around Dublin are being driven up as a result.

Almost one in six overseas enquiries about property in Ireland are now coming from the US.

Calls from one of the country’s leading estate agency groups for the Central Bank’s mortgage rules to be revisited are likely to fall on deaf ears after the finance minister signalled his support for the lending restrictions.

This old stone cottage, surrounded by countryside, has been given a stylish new look, writes Trish Dromey.

Price of three-bed semi in Cork City up almost 4% in past year as new mortgage rules take effect in capital

The authors of a new report into the health of the construction sector claim the industry remains in recovery mode, despite noting a 20% annualised drop in the value of building projects commenced during the first quarter of this year.

UK buyers are poised to fuel a mini property boom in parts of Ireland.

A slice of real Cork history comes with 19 Red Abbey Square, a period end-terrace home in one of Cork city’s oldest settings, next door to a ruined 14th century Augustinian abbey tower.

The average price of a three-bed, semi-detached house rose by almost 22% over the past 12 months, according to national survey carried out by Real Estate Alliance.

Sq m 100 (1,070 sq ft)

Irish property sales to UK-based purchasers boomed in 2013 with REA members reporting a 39% increase over 2012.

The number of British-based buyers of Irish property surged by nearly 40% last year, with more than half being accounted for by retirees looking to set up home here.

We view a selection of starter homes from around the country

No 15 is a sort of classic updated that stands the test of time. Tommy Barker reports

The Construction Industry Federation has formally submitted a claim to the Labour Court seeking a 20% reduction in the wage rates paid to workers in the industry.

THE Construction Industry Federation (CIF) is to seek a further 20% cut in the legally binding pay rates for up to 50,000 site-based workers in the industry.

IN a move which could create major industrial unrest in the electrical industry, two of the biggest employer groups have applied to withdraw from a legally binding agreement which sets pay and conditions for up to 10,000 electricians.

ELECTRICIANS and their employers could be on a collision course once more after one of the biggest employer bodies withdrew from discussions on a new pay deal for the industry.

Chambers Ireland has today called for the abolition of Employment Regulation Orders (ERO) and Registered Employment Agreements (REA) in its submission to the Independent Review of ERO and REA wage-setting mechanisms.

The Government has announced the establishment of an independent review of statutory wage setting mechanisms known as Employment Regulation Orders (ERO) and Registered Employment Agreements (REA).

THE Labour Court has formally ratified the 7.5% cut in the minimum pay rates in the construction industry, a move which experts say could lead to savings of €300 million to €400m.

CONSTRUCTION unions have voted to accept a recommendation by the Labour Court that the minimum wage in the industry be dropped by 7.5%.

The Irish Small & Medium Enterprises Association has called for the abolition of the Registered Employment Agreements (REA) and Joint Labour Committees (JLC), in response to the proposed reduction in the national minimum wage.

THE country’s largest group of electrical employers has applied to withdraw from the legally-binding agreement which sets pay and conditions for 10,000 workers in the industry – sparking fears of crippling strikes.

Construction chiefs are to consider pulling the plug on a pay deal after failing to secure 20% wage cuts for building workers, it was revealed tonight.

ELECTRICAL employers have failed in their High Court challenge to the legally binding system which sets pay and conditions of hundreds of thousands of workers in numerous industries across the economy.

THE country’s 10,500 electricians look set to go on strike once again after one of its bodies rejected a 4.9% pay increase.

THE dispute over pay between unions and electrical contractors which saw a week-long strike by electricians and delays in some of the country’s major infrastructural projects looks set to re-ignite next week.

A KERRY construction company has been ordered to pay five years’ worth of contributions totalling up to €160,000 to its workers’ pension and sickness scheme in a ruling by the Labour Court.

AFTER legal challenges by employers in a number of sectors, the Government has moved to secure binding industry employment agreements governing worker terms and conditions.

ELECTRICAL contractors have threatened to put up to 5,000 workers on protective notice if they go ahead with a threatened strike next Monday.

THE Labour Court began hearing an application by a group of electrical contractors for the abolition of pay increases due to 10,000 electricians due under a registered employment agreement (REA).

PropertyNews.com, a property website based in the North, is going national.

PARENTS are remortgaging their homes or borrowing up to €20,000 to help their cash-strapped children buy a house.