Positive new initiatives driving an air of optimism in Ireland's housing market

Ireland’s housing market is now a far more multi-headed beast than it might have been in previous decades, writes Tommy Barker, Property Editor

On the 25th anniversary of the divorce referendum, the Government announced measures to help separated and divorced people qualify for house purchase initiatives and assistance. 

Several key initiatives kick into gear this year in Ireland’s housing market, either being refined or finessed or launched as starting afresh, most notable among them being the First Home Shared Equity scheme, where moves to make house purchase more affordable for thousands as a percentage of the purchase price is discounted and taken over by the State.

The final details are expected anytime soon now, and the amount that can be discounted is likely to be 30% (or less, 20%, if buyers are using the Help to Buy scheme which only applies to new builds), with broad approval now from the Central Bank, and with retail banks set to participate.