It’s a buyer’s market as they’re spoilt for price and sought-after locations

HOUSE buyers are now getting better value — and often better properties in better locations.

That’s according to Barry Nagle of Global Properties, who gives the example of four listings on his books, in good locations, priced at the €350,000 mark and which he says would have made around €400,000 a year or so ago.

“The start of 2008 has seen purchasers trade up to ideal homes, with sales going through in places like Waterfall, Ballincollig, Military Hill and Douglas, but first-time buyers have been slower so far to make the move to buy,” he says.

“Not too long ago, buyers were being advised by all and sundry to get onto the property ladder, at any cost. The location, size and even condition wasn’t important, only that they bought. Moving forward 12 to 18 months, buyers can now get a dream home at an affordable price.”

For example, 21 Alden, in Douglas, a three-bed 1,050 sq ft home with front and back gardens, is priced at €349,000.

Meanwhile, an interior-styled three-bed semi-detached bungalow at 25 Manor Close, Thornbury Heights, Rochestown, is now guiding at €359,000.

0n the two-bedroom front, Global has a mid-terraced townhouse at 22 Highfields, Maryborough Woods, another ‘greater Douglas’ property.

In super-smart order inside and out, and with a walled-in landscaped back garden, it has good bright living areas and a master bed en suite. It’s priced at €349,500.

Off the south ring road at Mahon’s Jacob’s Island, there’s a two-bed apartment, with car space, at 155 Jacob’s Island. It has a south-facing barbecue area overlooking the 18-acre Joe McHugh public park and Mahon/Blackrock walk and is priced at €340,000.