Get the inside story on Irish country house purchases in this week’s podcast as we look at the transaction from the inside out with Philip Guckian, SCSI, Associate Director of Sherry Fitz, Country Homes and Estates You might have seen Philip making lots of sense and being a brilliant agent on the recent RTE series of Selling Ireland’s Dream Homes? If there’s one thing that becomes crystal clear during my conversation with Philip it’s that buying a country home is a marathon, not a sprint.  Join us as we talk about: What distinguishes a country home from the many homes that are currently for sale in this country Who are the main buyers of these houses and are they cash buyers or borrowers? Why do estate agents like to feel that viewers have done a bit of homework before arranging to view a property Is there one nationality more than another who is buying these properties? The advisability of doing a survey before going sale agreed especially if the property is particularly old or rambling Where the delays can occur in the buying process.  Philip’s contact details are:  philip.guckian@sherryfitz.ie Tel: 01 237 6309 About Breffnie O Kelly Buyer’s Agent.  I’m Breffnie, a licensed property-buying agent practising in Dublin, Ireland, where I was born and bred. I love the process of assessing neighbourhoods and properties, looking for the features that will enhance the lives of my clients as well as the resale value of the property. I'm a graduate of the Institute of Technology Tallaght (winning the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers Prize for Leadership) and a prize-winning (Sheehy Skeffington Prize in French) graduate of Trinity College Dublin. I'm also an external examiner on the newly launched National Auctioneering and Property Services Apprenticeship programme. I love what I do. I know that finding and agreeing terms on a property can be stressful, and I relish the fact that I can offer you a road map of the journey ahead, expert knowledge and a guiding hand until you have keys to your new property in your hand. Thank you. Book an introductory call with Breffnie: https://calendly.com/breffnieokelly/15min 

Do you really know what you're buying? Let's talk property boundaries If you’re buying a country house in Ireland, you’ll almost certainly be buying an acre or several acres of land around that house.   Most buyers have no difficulty comprehending the size and extent of the house they are buying, but the extent of the land can be trickier to understand.   It’s the land part of your purchase that we’re talking about today.   I am thrilled to be joined by Sarah Sherlock, former Chair of the Society of Chartered Surveyors of Ireland Geomatics (Geomatics refers to the methods and technologies used to collect, distribute, store, analyze, process, and present geographic data.) Sarah has several years of experience spanning many sectors, involving many notable and high-value real estate transactions both in Ireland and the UK. Standards are a matter that Sarah considers very important. She currently sits on a number of standard-setting committees – making sure measurement is carefully considered– in Ireland, the UK, and Internationally. Sarah served as a member of the Irish Defence Forces for c. 17 years.   You can contact Sarah at: sarahmsherlock@protonmail.com   During our conversation today, Sarah mentions a “16 Prepurchase Boundary Questions” Guide, prepared by the SCSI ( Society for Chartered Surveyors Ireland). You can download this prepurchase guide here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iM96uvwaB_oDs6dfQF73AKpA3fnOVyVX/view

Today we’re looking at your house purchase from a legal perspective. Your offer has been accepted on a property… you’re excited, maybe a bit nervous and you’re starting to make plans. Yes, you’re right to feel thrilled that your property search has got to this important stage but there is a bit more plot left in this saga yet!  Enter, centre stage, your solicitor.  It’s your solicitor who will direct the action from here on in and be assured, there can be plenty of twists in the tale before the happy ending.  In this episode, I talk to James Ryan, a solicitor with PP Ryan & Co.   James is a solicitor I work with regularly. I value his pragmatic, calm approach and I value his good humour and responsiveness too.  In this episode, James talks me through exactly what a solicitor does, where the delays can occur in the conveyancing process and shares some examples of tricky issues he encountered while working with clients purchasing property….always resolved in the end of course! James Ryan, solicitor, our guest today works with PP Ryan & Co.  You can contact James at Tel (+ 353 ) 505 46145. About Breffnie O Kelly Buyer’s Agent.  I’m Breffnie, a licensed property-buying agent practising in Dublin, Ireland, where I was born and bred. I love the process of assessing neighbourhoods and properties, looking for the features that will enhance the lives of my clients as well as the resale value of the property. I'm a graduate of the Institute of Technology Tallaght (winning the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers Prize for Leadership) and a prize-winning (Sheehy Skeffington Prize in French) graduate of Trinity College Dublin. I'm also an external examiner on the newly launched National Auctioneering and Property Services Apprenticeship programme. I love what I do. I know that finding and agreeing terms on a property can be stressful, and I relish the fact that I can offer you a road map of the journey ahead, expert knowledge and a guiding hand until you have keys to your new property in your hand. Thank you. Book a 15 minute introductory call with Breffnie: https://calendly.com/breffnieokelly/15min

In episode 2 of our series on Buying a Country Home in Ireland, Breffnie chats with Colleen about her move from America to Ireland. At first, Colleen was in California just browsing properties online and thinking about a move, next she considered different European countries before deciding on Ireland as a destination. And then... Colleen arrives in Ireland for the first time to set about purchasing a home. Does she do it on her own or does she need help? What were Colleen's concerns about relocating to Ireland? How the process worked and the differences Colleen saw between the Irish and American purchasing processes. How Colleen's integrated into her local village community. What advice Colleen would give to those considering moving to the Irish countryside? and much more! Book an introductory 15 minute call with Breffnie: https://calendly.com/breffnieokelly/15min 

Anyone can buy a property in Ireland, but does buying a property entitle you to Irish residency or a visa?   If you’ve been thinking about buying property in Ireland, retiring to Ireland or even spending a couple of weeks in Ireland, it’s highly likely that you’ve wondered about any legal or visa hurdles you may need to jump. Well, it’s these types of questions that we’re discussing in this week’s podcast and we’re lucky to be joined by Aaron Flynn. Aaron is a qualified solicitor specializing in Immigration under Irish and European Law. He heads up the Irish practice of Envoy Global, a global company which prides itself on a smooth Immigration experience. Aaron talks us through the following topics: Who is entitled to live in Ireland? Which nationalities require a visa to live in Ireland? Does purchasing a property mean you can live in Ireland? What is stamp zero and what does it entitle you to? How to apply for stamp zero. Useful links: For a list of countries that require/don't require a visa visit: https://www.dfa.ie/media/missions/belgium/visas/List-of-Visa-Required-Non-Visa-Required-Nationalities.pdf For more information on how to apply for stamp zero visit: https://www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/information-on-registering/immigration-permission-stamps/ Contact Aaron Flynn at: aaron.flynn@envoyglobal.com You can find more on how to purchase in Ireland here: https://www.breffnieokelly.ie/ Or get in contact if I can help in any way: breffnie@breffnieokelly.ie

Breffnie follows up with Karin from episode 58 who was searching for a countryside home.  Since they last talked lots of progress has been made. In fact, Karin and Connor have since moved and are now enjoying country life!  Find out how the search went, where they are now and how they are getting on post midlife countryside move....

Ready and waiting for a new life in the country? The unlikely fairy godmother  called Covid, might just make your dreams come true.  This week we are joined by my city dwelling bee keeping, vegetable growing friend, Karin Stierle, about how this odd time has proved the catalyst for a move out of town.  We look at the delicate choreography of selling one home to finance another and getting the timing right

Inspired by a recent conversation with a client about which of two properties they should bid on, I've outlined 8 ways in which the site of a property can be compromised  to such an extent that I would be reluctant to buy it eg. steep slopes, presence of water, "over built" site etc.    I always welcome feedback. Get in touch! To book a one hour property coaching call with Breffnie, click here: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=17262788     To find out more about working with Breffnie as a Buyer’s Agent click here: www.breffnieokelly.ie

Living abroad and need finance to buy a property in Ireland? Then you won't want to miss this conversation with Niall Coughlan, Senior mortgage advisor with Irish Mortgage Corporation. Niall is expert in helping Irish abroad get home loans in Ireland. Key take aways from this podcast episode are: you'll need a minimum deposit of 35%,  the maximum loan term is 25 years,  your loan approval will be valid for 12 months, you'll get good "home owner" rates if you are buying for your own use rather than buying to rent, which can be a little more complicated. Also you'll need to meet Niall in person at some point before you draw down your  loan, so if you're home for Christmas make sure to take five minutes to physically meet with Niall who will do his best to make himself available.   Tune in for truly granular and usefu information.  Contact details for Niall are: ncoughlan@novamortgages.ie Phone number is: + 353 86 894 4607   If you'd like to book a call with me,  just go to my website and scroll down till you see the calendar link. www.breffnieokelly.ie    Thanks for listening.   

53. And now for something completely different! This week I am joined by a CLIENT!  for a change. Erika Bernath, Austrian Consul in Dublin, joins me today to talk about her experience of finding a home in Dublin using me as her property finder.  It transpires that this was the first time in 27 years of moving from country to country that she actually had found and signed a lease on a suitable property in advance of arrival and so was able to move directly into her apartment on touchdown at Dublin airport.  This was all thanks in no small part to the use of Zoom technology and good communication. Key advice Erika would offer to anyone moving to Dublin is to use an agent to help find accommodation and trust your gut instinct. Can't argue with that!

 All of us in the property business, whether as agents, buyers, or sellers, spend a lot of time chasing or waiting for information. Robert Hoban, estate agent, holder of a law degree and  co founder of Offr.io joins us in today's podcast to tell us why he created Offr.io and just how it works to stream line the whole property sale and purchase process. Having had a good look at this product, especially at the way in which it motivates the vendor to engage meaningfully in the legal process from day one, I would earnestly urge every estate to check this software out.  As Robert Hoban says in the interview, the Offr.io software is designed to free up the estate agent's time so that he or she can spend maximum quality time talking to their vendors and to buyers If you'd like to book a one hour property call with Breffnie at the end of which you'll have got clarity on your current property issues and know what your next step is, then click on the link below. https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=17262788

51. Are we ready for Keller Williams in Ireland?  Fresh from reading The Millionaire Estate Agent by Gary Keller, founder of  Keller Williams, the largest real estate agency in the world, I think we might be! In this episode I'm joined by Paul Allen, Regional Operating Principal with Keller Williams Ireland,  who discusses how software can help the agent keep every vendor viewer and buyer within the agent's eco system for ever.  It's one of the longer episodes and lots of topics are touched on especially the nitty gritty of what would be involved from a cost and logistical point of view for any agent thinking of going it alone under the Keller Williams umbrella.  Thanks for listening!  To book a one hour property coaching call with Breffnie, click here: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=17262788     To find out more about working with Breffnie as a Buyer’s Agent click here: www.breffnieokelly.ie

50. When you're looking for a new home, do you consider buing a new build? If like me, you're someone who may have automatically ruled out buying a new build on the basis that you're just not a new build kind of person, then you definitely don't want to miss this conversation with the charming and thoughtful Ronan Mc Kenna, sales director of Glenveagh PLC. who explains the goal that Glenveagh has of building developments that are deeply connected to and supportive of the existing community.  We go through the whole process from how Glenveagh acquires land, decides what to build and then the whole process from the buyer's point of view.  

This week I'm joined by interior designer Anne Tuohy of www.roomjunkie.com . I've asked Anne to talk us about how to look at a prospective property using the eyes of an interior designer. Anne shares great tips on orientation (south and west facing to the rear are best), how to add light into a home, light  laminates or large light coloured tiles on floors, glazed internal doors, light reflective paints, big windows etc are some of the ideas you'll take away from our conversation. If you're not sure what your personal style is....Anne suggests starting with the kitchen and then letting the finishing of the rest of the house flow from the kitchen, I had never thought of this as a place to start but think it's a wonderful idea. To book a one hour property coaching call with Breffnie, click here: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=17262788

Podcasts, books, boxsets.....there are so many ways we can flesh out our understanding of the property buying and interior design process. This week Breffnie outlines a collection of books, podcasts and programmes that she loves and consults regularly. The podcasts and programmes are free and the books are well worth the money you'll spend. The collection includes:  1. At home with Breffnie and www.breffnieokelly.ie ( free videos, blogs, podcasts here) 2. The great indoors podcast ( lively Interior design podcast by two english interior designers) 3. Business of Design ( Canadian interior designer, Kimberly Seldon, shares the systematic approach she takes to getting projects completed) 4. The Architetct's Pocket Book- a paperback  (Charlotte Baden Powell) 5. Love the house you're in - a paperback  (Paige Rien) 6. Room to Improve (House rennovation programme available to watch for free on RTE player) Book a 55 minute property coaching session with Breffnie

This is an episode for people who know what it is to have property related problems. So if you've borrowed too much to buy property, or have unresolved property issues, then my conversation with Joe Doyle property entreprenur and business coach for tradesmen of  www.joedoyle.ie, should give you hope, courage and resolve. Joe has lived through the full journey of  property boom to nearly bust and now boom again. Enjoy and don't give up!! Book Breffnie for a one hour property coaching session  

To franchise or not to franchise? In this week's episode, Martin O'Connor of DNG in Moycullen talks about his story of how he got into auctioneering and how he made the decision to become a franchise member of DNG, rather than choosing to go solo. If you have an interest in real estate and have ever considered pursuing a career in this path, this week's podcast is for you; and a great opportunity to gain some valuable insight from a highly experienced agent. Click link below to book a one hour coaching session with Breffnie and get your property questions answered.  Book Breffnie for a one hour coaching session

Location, location, location....what exactly do property people  mean by this phrase? This week I take a big picture look at the subject and show how "one location does not fit all"... just because it's a good location does not necessarily mean it's the right location for you!  Book Breffnie for a one hour property coaching session

This week's episode talks about all the tips and tricks to make your first time buying a house as smooth and easy as possible, how to make the process less daunting, and how to pick a house that's right for you. Book Breffnie for a one hour property coaching session