Year 8 Update

A lot has changed in Dublin since I bought in 2011. I was one of the lucky ones that bought at the bottom of the market when Ireland's economy took a shocking nose dive. The area of Dublin I bought in has changed beyond belief since then - theres fancy coffee shops, trendy bars and restaurants and the opening of a university a mile away has brought lots of young people to our inner city part of Dublin 7 .  The metro that was planned for a 20 second walk away was never built nut thats Ireland for you. 

After renting the house out for 3 years, I eventually had enough and couldn't cope with the little house being abused any more by tenants who didn't appreciate a lovely property at a good price. Additionally I could see the Dublin market slowing down - not as much as the start of the bubble bursting in 2009  but its slowing - even Dublin cant support a consistently rising market - it has to stop somewhere. 

I put the house on the market in June 2019 and two weeks later went sale agreed. A very long 5 months and one flaky, cash buyer later ( it would have been quicker with a mortgage buyer!) the house is no longer mine. 

I'm currently in the UK loving my new life. With the money I made on the little house selling I'm planning on starting a new house hunt, this time in Manchester - one of my favorite cities in UK and Ireland but Dublin will always be home x 

Photo Update

My little home just before I moved to England in 2016. I had a successful year renting the spare room on Air Bnb and everyone loved its quirky design.

Garden , year 3, lots of herbs, salads, fruits and potatoes

The Garden two years on

Unfortunately Ive no photos of the original "garden" as it was just a bit of concrete that everyone said nothing could be done with

very proud of what Ive achieved so far & ive lots of plans in the pipeline

6 months on and 1 year since I viewed the house

I eventually got the password to this blog and can give an update .

The damp that was on the party wall was from a leaking radiator in the neighbours. The walls were scarily buckled , a fact that was noted as within normal levels by the surveyer so I have left it alone. However I had false stud walls built onto these walls as we werent happy attaching everything to a bowed front wall.

Everything else went according to plan and it looks amazing. I borrowed more money to enable extra work to be done like new windows. The whole house was eventually replastered too which I hadnt budgeted for. I also had to have the extension roof replaced which cost another 1k. Because of all this I didnt have enough to refurb the downstairs bathroom. Its functional but not very pretty !

This is the full list of work Ive done so far

All walls insulated and replastered.
Attic hatch put in and floor insulated
New windows in every room and wireless alarm fitted
New floors through out
House painted through out
New upstairs bathroom
Combi boiler fitted
Heating system installed
Complete kitchen built and put in including all appliances and units

All this took approx 6 weeks.

Work still to be done

Outside of house to be painted- front and back
Front steps to be rebuilt
Front door stripped and painted
Back door to be replaced
Stairs runner to be fitted , bannisters to be stripped and painted
Second bathroom to be gutted and retiled, new fittings, new shower
Attic to be floored

Photos to follow :-)

The refurb begins

One month on and Im ready for the buiders to move.

Ive the house stripped back and some scary things have shown up , namely damp, plaster falling off walls in LARGE sections, a ceiling needs replastering , theres no ventilation.

Im also getting heating installed, a new bathroom put in upstairs , a full new kitchen, new floors through out .

its all mine !!!

after months of stress I now a house !!!!

Had a small heart attack when i pulled away the old fire covering and the wall crumbled. Seriously do not have the funds for any extra jobs

closing day - allegedly

so here we are , closing day !!
and not a peep from anyone involved.

The solicitor said yesterday that they expected the sale to go through today and that I dont need to sign the deeds today. She also said I can get the keys from the EA. I ve rang him and he didnt even know we were closing today.

Ive no idea what actually happens today, the seller left the property weeks ago and has had two weeks to get the property cleared out so surely it could have closed this morning!

I might pop down to the house and have a look

final countdown

the bank had lost my documents ...now theyre found and were closing and getting keys on the same day - Friday

Ive rang the Life insurance to activate it and it turns out ive been paying for the last 3 months!

Contracts signed but...

The cert was sent to the bank last Friday to ensure it was what they wanted. Its holding everything up again but better to be safe than be in a contract where i cant get a mortgage.

All contracts are signed and Ive handed over the second cheque. Solicitor will hopefully have an answer today from the bank.

eventually cert has actually arrived

turns out everyone was lying ....cert was only received to day by sellers solicitor who have sent it over to mine. Solicitor is away on holidays so nothing can happen until next Tuesday.

Rang house insurance again for a new quote and was talked to by an arrogant idiot. :-(
They reckon a new kitchen is renovations so wont insure contents until it is fitted .

cert is ready

have rang the ea again who has rang the sellers solicitor again. The cert is ready and ok and was sent to solicitor today. they also rang my solicitors office who obviously didnt think it was important to tell me !

hope fully this is it... there is still the other conditions
* bank statment
* insurance schedule
* homebond or similar

also heard a rumour solicitor is on holiday so nothing might happen for a bit

cert has been done

Cert was only done last Tuesday and is still being checked against planning law by the architect. There was no information coming either my solicitor or the vendors one who hired the architect. Eventually mine suggested i contact the ea and lo and behold its all now moving on a bit.

why do solicitors take so long over everything !!

still going...

vendor has agreed to get cert ! this has taken three weeks....mainly due to solicitors using post not email. Cert due next Monday and Ive all other paperwork ready

up.....then down

the loan offer has arrived with a few conditions attached. Mainly the bank want certificate of compliance . im presuming towards the extension.

now its too small to need planning and its out door space thats left is really small but that regulation didnt come into affect until 2002 and extension was built in 1982.

how ever there is no cert of compliance with the deeds and hence no proof that it was built in 1982. The seller inherited the house so has no documentaion from the time it was built. Allegedly it was built with a corpo grant.

Solicitor is contacting bank to say we dont have a architect inspection or home bond and the seller solicitor re compliance . Im willing to do just hire an architect to provide a cert if thats what it takes.

I really was hoping to sign contracts to day so I could give 8 weeks notice on my house next week. That would leave august and some of july for the builders to work on the house and for me to organise the move and furniture etc

still waiting

and the story drags on.....

Thebank requested a quote on a list of jobs they would like to be done, including :

central heating installed
water tank removed and replaced
plumbing and render cracks checked
access to attic provided

amongst others.

To be fair to me WTF! why should the bank dictate whether i have heating or not ? The list they sent is an exact cut and paste of the final page of the surveyors report. So that quote has now been sent in so fingers crossed. Im also wondering if they can make me get these jobs done as a condition of draw down?

They have also requested copy of planning permission for the extension built in the 80s but afaik it doesnt need planning and Ive had no comment from the solicitor.

Solicitor reckons Im not going to get the mortgage from the bank and need a broker. hes also suggested asking for a reduction on the sale price due to works needed. but i really dont want to do that, as much as i d like to have another 5000 in the fund Im happy with what i paid.

Hoping for news next week

its all about who they know

it seems everyone can spot something that has to be done and knows some one who can do it !

The survey has eventually gone to the bank and yesterday the damp assesser visited. he was recommended by the surveyer who said to get the him to call the surveyer first.

Damp asesser (da) says there is rising damp in the kitchen , front hall?? and party wall in the hall. This sounds like bull shit to me as there is no sign of rising damp in the hall , just damp due to non occupation, no ventilation etc. The kitchen in fairness - i dont know.

I asked the da how he knew and he said because he has a meter reader and he measures damp up to 1metre up the wall. Ehh!! theres no damp to touch, the plaster is fine and he reckons theres rising damp. His quote is for 1100 to chemically inject the walls and 3800 if they also remove and put back the plaster. Convienientaly he knows a plasterer.

So Ill be sending in the report to he bank on Monday and really hope this is it and I can get my loan offer.

I emailed the solicitor to make sure they got the surveyers report and to tell them that the surveyer is looking for a copy of the deeds and planning permission but havnt heard back. So thats 3 phone calls and 1 email theyve ignored.

Im wary now about the planning permission. The ea said it didnt need planning permission but as the extension leaves less than 25% of the original out door space it needs pp. Lets hope it has it .

pear shaped

a lot can go wrong in 9 days !

Insurance company have requested a report from my gp over a stupid throw away comment I made to a gp years ago. That report can take 3 weeks . Im trying to speed it up by collecting it myself. Rang the doc today to see if it was ready , they said theyd ring back but havnt.

Insurance quote arrived by post - alot higher than id discussed with them . Eventually i heard back today from the financial adviser and Im taking just basic mortgage protection which is called life mortgage cover,... or life cover ....or mortgage protection. Reckon this will be around 18 euro a month. Plain English award me arse!

Eventually the bank have rang about the loan offer and they have a problem with the valuers report. They want a damp proof specialist to look at it, the surveyers report, proof the extension is building compliant and confirmation from the solicitor that the the rear lane way has offical access.

whata load of bollix! the lady in the bank said to ring surveyer and ask him what was reported. Surveyer says it shouldnt be discussed with me . Also said that bank should contact the solicitor and not me !!! arghhhhhh

I rang the solicitor and they havnt rang back. I rang the bank and emailed them but no reply.


Plan now is to only deal with the solicitor. I reckon the bank are talking to me about stuff that theyre not meant to tell me and Im getting very confused. I also have to get in touch with a damp specialist and organise the EA to let him in

Im really getting worried now that its all going to fall through.

Life Insurance

Went for a life insurance consult which turned into a financial review. Will probably take basic insurance and added extra of specified sickness cover.

Bank were meant to email details and brochure over, but havnt. They are sending all details and quotes by post.

Surveyer

dissapointing day .

Survey has showed up a few problems, that might be costly.

* maybe rising damp. Walls showing damp so a damp proof course will need to be put on

*cant see behind wooden panels on wall but all walls will need insulating

*they need to check out a chimney that was removed

*they need access to the attic to check the roof as it appears to be undulated. This means the vendor "should" pay for access to be made to the attic. If they refuse the surveyor reccommends dropping the price due to risk

*gas meter should be moved outside

*boiler should be moved upstairs but is in good condition

*there are two cracks outside on the back wall but further investigation is needed to see if they are in the render or lintel


have a meeting with surveyer to see what it will cost. Have no mid week time off next week due to a wedding on the friday . However I might pop into them after the wedding meal but before afters ? Or try to get a late shift at work . no one works saturdays

Valuation & Survey

I got in touch with the valuer and hes also going to do the structural survey for a total of 365€ incl vat ! bargain, as the valuation was 130 on its own. The survey should be 350 ex vat but as its a small house its 300 ex vat and the valuation is free!

Im meeting the bank on Tuesday to arrange life insurance and then im meeting the surveyor at the house to point out any queries etc . I need to measure the doorways when im there for sofas etc and look under the carpet in the extension to see if its concrtete. A major expense might be getting gas into the extension

Ive also made a spreadsheet to keep an eye on the budget. Ive a contingency of 2000 and 18000 to pay for everything ! thats stamp duty, solicitor, fees, labour + builder , appliances, lock smith, beds, paint etc

According to the bank they have approved my mortgage but I have nothing on paper yet. Theyre sending a valuer out to the house and he was given my details today. I have to pay him €130 as the banks dont pay it anymore. Im going to try tommorow to get his number and ask him for a price if he will also do the survey .

The EA sent out the particulers a few days ago which stated they hope to close on June 6th !!!!!!!

Plan now is to get to bank to organise life insurance and home insurance. Im llooking around to cost essentials that ill need after the builders leave , such as
bed, sofa, wardrobe, pots, ...thats it really.

Im still waiting to sign contracts before seeing a builder

waiting on approval

Ive organised a solicitor now and have passed his details onto the estate agent and bank. The EA says he'll send out all the particulers.

The problem now is the bank dragging their heels. i had originaly signed all the paper work to speed things up but theyve rang every day looking for :
p60
rent book
house size & condition
reconfirming address
rate to be used .

Mostly done now and Ill email them with a rate descision tommorow. They reckon a week to make a formal loan offer but with all the bank holidays itmight be longer.


Six months ago I was offered 139000 from the EBS down from the original offer of 190K. Ulster Bank said theyd give me 135k but Im applying for 89k. They said my credit card debot of €1000 wont be taken into account :-0 as its too small. Im trying to call in all debts and pay as much as possible anyway .

Plan now is too
1 get letter of loan offer
2 contact solictor to start searches
3 organise surveyor

Offer Accepted

26th April 2011
My offer has been accepted (21/4) so now Im all nerves that it will fall through or someone else will come along with more money.

Ive been to the back and given them the house price, address and agents details. Ive now officialy applied for a mortgage , not just approval.

I went to see a solicitor but wasnt happy with his price so Im looking for another one, hopefully that will be sorted soon as the estate agent and bank want their details.

Today I paid a €5000 booking deposit. I now really want to get a move on and sign contracts so it cant fall through. Ive no idea how long this will take. Presumbly the solicitor has to do his thing and the bank have to approve me and the house. I plan to get a structural survey done when approval comes through but before the contracts are signed.

Negotiations

April 20th UPDATE

I eventually gave in and rang the agent. he doesnt answer say I left a voice mail saying I needed answer as i was considering placing an offer on another property. I wanted it sorted by Easter.

He rang back saying the seller would like 110k. Soooooo... if he must be expecting me to try to negotaite so why did he say 100k?? I offer 98k saying that this is possible by not getting the windows changed. He calls and leaves a message saying the seller is thinkiong over night as she wants / needs 100k .

so this is nerve wrecking. I cant even publish these posts incase I tempt fate. Im now stressing over costs, mortgage, how much the builder will charge, how to find a builder...i dont even have a solictor and every where is closing for easter tommorow at 5 .

fingers crossed

House No 20

April 14th 2011

This cottage is a split level in phibsboro. Being sold by the owner who has no mortage and on at 150k. Ive viewed it three times and it needs work including

windows
new kitchen
new shower
small bathroom added up stairs
central heating

and other cosmetic works.

Estate agent says they have an offer of 95 k which was turned down. However his collegue says theyve no offers . hmmmmm The ea has rang me a few times to ask how its going , what i think. Ive put in an offer of 95k and ea reminds me theyve turned that down already ( really ???) so i offer 96k. That was on 13/4 and now 14/4 at 9pm I havent heard back yet.

House No 19

Well well , another mystery house. A small 2 bed in a road in Cabra close to Phibsboro. It has a large garden and would suit me in size and price.

How ever I cant get a viewing. Ive been trying since late August. The owner has a business at home and cant find 5 minutes to let me in. Ive rand three times and emailed twice and the agent (gwd) hasnt even bothered to call back on any occassion to keep me updated.

House is up for 175k down from 350 and has been on the market for 2 years.

UPDATE : house was taken off the market , ea wouldnt give any more info

July 2011

not listed anymore

House 18

This one is on Leix Rd in Cabra. Its a lovely 3 bed - 745 sq ft with really dated interiors. Would benefit from a new kitchen ,bathroom and layout. Its on at 195k and went sale agreed a day later for 191k, Seller would have taken 185 k :-O

Huuse No 15 again

Eventually after nearly six months im getting to see this house. Its still 195k and has no heating. Theres tenants in it and theyre letting me in this evening so Im heading off to the Ulster Bank for a chat later. This property was featured in the Sunday Times which said the owner refused an offer of 191k which I really dont beleive.


still for sale at 165k April 2012

House 17

After a bit of a break im on the hunt again. This house is in Glasnevin which is not somewhere Ive considered before. House is on for 235000 with an offer of 220k

The house is a complete doer upper... rewiring, plastering, new windows, complete kitchen and bathroom to be fitted. At present the third bathroom is halfway converted into a bathroom and the kitchen is a shell. The new windows will have to be original wooden sahs style as its an AAC area.

On the plus side you could add a lot of value to this place. Its in a beautiful part of town, has lovely early Edwardian features and is large.

Unfortunatly I cant afford the refurb costs or the house as the bank have taken back their offer from February

An update

I have now run out of houses to view in my chosen area. I still havnt managed to obtain a viewing for the mystery house on Ignatius Rd. Off on holidays this week so will try again in a few weeks.

Hopefully by late June some more houses will have been reduced and entered my price bracket.

House 16

This one is close to Phibsboro off Great Western Sq. It had no kerb appeal but I was hopeful with a bit of updating it could be improved. It was so dissapointing - really small (64sqft) and really dark. The yard was very small and the bathroom had mould.

Once again with Mason the viewing was after work hours so the tenants were home. They were a lovely family but I could hear someone in the bedroom on the phone or something so I couldnt even look in there.

Its on at 225k and theyve an offer of 200k. I recommend the seller takes the 200 k and runs before they buyer changes their mind !

July 2011

not listed anymore

House 14 again

Have a viewing Wednesday morning as theyre not too busy this week . :-)

UPDATE 14/4
Not too bad, big in size (1000sq ft), nice red brick, good location

downside
extension needs replacing, needs heating, new windows, approx 30k plus

agent was crap , didnt even have a brochure or any idea of size, how long it was empty etc

house is on at 270k but agent reckons it will sell for 230k.

would love it but havnt the money to buy and renovate.

House 15

195k , 3 bed off NCR

Have emailed the agent TWICE. Eventually heard back yesterday with them looking for the house number. I then rang them but they say they cant get in touch with the tenant. I tell them tommorrow is my day off so Im free. Still havnt heard from them.

UPDATE 8/4

Only viewing time is tommorrow at 430pm. Who the hell is free at 430 on a work day! Tenant is insisting on being there during viewings and the agent doesnt have a key to get in. Have asked agent to organise something asap as Im ready to to buy and not willing to hang around

July 2011 on sale at 165k

House 14

Emailed the agent about this one but havnt heard back yet.

260k, 3 bed off NCR

Have been to have a look at the street and this house and no 15 above. I like the area , the street and the houses .

UPDATE rang the agent and theyve no idea why they didnt ring me back.They say theyve noone free to show me the house today even though I requested a viewing days ago. I offer to view it tommorow morning at 930 am and they say thats too early !!!

they tell me to ring them back.

July 2011 - on sale at 160k

House 13

Unlucky for some but I fell in love with this house from the minute I walked in the door. On at 235k down from 265K its just off manor street. Its a 2 bed, open plan with large garden. Needs a bit of work but...

Agent says they have an offer of €213000 and I feel like jumping in with all I have but hold back. Agent later rings to say they have a new offer of 220K and I dissapointingly say Im out .

Surpringsly to me but not a surprise to anyone elseshe rings to say the other buyer has dropped out as they cant get a mortgage and do I want to offer 220k. Im all confused , is this the dirty tricks everyone has told me about?

I visit the house at night and see a different side to it. Its very near a flat complex, kids are hanging around everywhere and it just doesnt feel right.

I see a couple of police and ask them about the area and while they think the street is nice they tell me how there are a lot of gougers hanging around, loads of anti social behaviour and theyre glad I dont own a car!

Rang the agent yesterday to say I wont be placing a bid.

UPDATE May 10 - has gone sale agreed

sold 06/10 223k

not listed anymore

House 12

This one looked promising. Just off Grangegorman, doublefronted, 2 reception rooms.Downside it was really dark and had only a sqaure patch of concorde for a yard

seller refused to move away from its 250k asking price so bye bye !

July 2011

not listed anymore, renovated similar on at 199k

House 11

175k but would accept 150k

well if I thought the last one was small , this really took the biscuit. the couch was half in an alcove to create some space.

When i stood out side to stop the claustrophobia setting in i had a lovely view of the flats. While they are being rebuilt when the govt gets some money and the poeple who live there are more than likely lovely folk I wouldnt want to see that every morning.

not listed anymore

House 7, 8 , 9, 10

All these houses were based around Stoney batter, Dublin 7 . I like this area- its near the park, handy for the work and has a nice working class vibe.

House 7 220k
Had no toilet, enough said

not listed anymore

House 8 275k
same as above but with a toilet and finished to a high spec. Only went hear as agent had to let another couple in to see it. It was lovely but had a 1 meter kitchen. Lovely interiors but could have been so much nicer

House 9 195k
2 bed little pebble dashed cottage . The smell of tobbacco smoke was unbeleivably disgusting! yellow sticky, tarry walls and a ramshakle back yard but me off.

not listed anymore

House 10 205k

similar to the above but without the smell. Little old lady decor that a quick paint job would fix. It had a nice size kitchen but it was too small for me. I need to rent a room out and at this size youd have no privacy. Youd have to book a night in when the tenant had a night out if you wanted to have some fun :-) either that or not mind that the tenant thinks theyre listening to a porn movie

not listed anymore- similar renovated is on at 199k

House 6

A lovely little cottage off Western Way on Auburn St. 2 bed and decent in size

or I think it is as Ive never viewed it as the estate agent, Mason still hasnt called me back ( 3 weeks ago now)

UPDATE 15/4

I never got a viewing but Ive now found it it has gone sale agreed. It was on for 250k but sold for 230k (or so the agent says) It needed a new roof which has been estimated at 12k.

Actually sold for 225k  06/10

House 5

I decided to spread the net and view some houses in Cabra and Stoneybatter after realising there was nothing in my price bracket in Phibsboro.

So while youd think the agent would be biting your hand off...nope they think its still 2007.

House 4 is on Leix Rd, Cabra, near enough to Phibsboro on a lovely road I used to rent on. ONE week after I emailed they ring to say its sale agreed. However they have a similar one nearby if I want to see that. Okey doke I say , the agent will ring you back they say.

Im still waiting for the call back. Hello Sherry Fitz are you reading this???

House 4

This looked promising but god was I wrong

A period red brick, 2 bed, good windows, near the Mater, gfch. Region 250k

When I got there the agent was late. She didnt apologise and when we ( me and two other viewers) went in the tenant was sitting there having a smoke. Could they not have given her 20 quid to go for a pint or let me view during the day !

Agent then got snotty, wipe your feet, we have an offer of 245k , better be quick,

so I said good luck and walked out. Horrible vibe about the place and horrible agent.

6 weeks late its hasnt even gone sale agreed - so much for that 245000 offer

July 2011 - not listed any more. Not sure if it was sold or taken or market

House 3

A large, 3 bed, red brick end of terrace. Asking for €250000 even though it solf for €600000 at the peak.

Jesus it was a mess! Not much of a kitchen or bathroom and the little extension looked like it was ready to fall down. Tiny yard out the back so no summer bbqs unless it was me and one other person !

The rooms were large tho but the place looked like it had been ransacked. According to the agent the tenants had just moved out. So why didnt the owner just pay some one €50 to sweep the floor ..

Something didnt add up so I didnt make an offer. I just felt like there was another reason rather than "the recssion, current climate" of why it was on the market .

Funnily enough as of now April 10 - its unsold and the price has gone up to 300k

July 2011 - region 180k

House 1 & 2

House 1 near Phibsboro Church-  Avondale Road
I originally saw last June 09 but the sale fell through. I fell in love with it and could see myself there. Bad idea .... to get emotionaly involved. When it came on the market again I viewed it twice. On both occassions there were other viewers. It had 2 bedrooms, a large kitchen, tiny living room and loads of potential. It needed new windows, heating and a new boiler. It turned out the house had rising damp so I backed down and its now sale agreed. Asking price was €250000 and seller wanted €230000 min. SOLD 31/3/10 €216k

House 2 near Phibsboro Church Grt Western Villas
2 bed and ready to move into, asking €250000. Found out it was sale agreed when I was on my way to see it. Agent could have told me sooner . SOLD 27/5/10 195k

What I want

Ideally this is what Im looking for

* 2 bed house
* terraced, semi d, cottage
* some sort of garden, enough for drinks during the summer but not too much that I have to garden
* ready to move into but I dont mind doing a bit of work
* I dont mind putting in a new kitchen, bathroom at a later stage
* would prefer it didnt have wooden windows
* dont want anything with structural problems eg rising damp etc
* would like a bit of character, quirkiness
* preferably victorian, artisan style
* ideally in Dublin 7, Phibsboro
* must be able to bus / train it to Dublin 15 without too much hassle

Approval in Principle

I decided in January that I was going to start looking in earnest this Spring. First step was to get provisional mortgage approval.

I visited the EBS as this is where I have my savings in an investment account. They went through all the application forms and what was involved etc . I did all this early January 2010

In February I applied for AIP as the new tax year had started and I had my P60. I sent in 3 pay slips, copies of savings, copy of P60, salary cert. A week later I got appoval in principle for €195000 (max 92% of house price) . Would have liked more but hey you cant be greedy (or stupid) . This process took around a week. They also said if I got a third bedroom theyd add €5000 to the mortgage offer

Bit of background

Ive been planning on buying a house for around 5 years but prices were too high for me. I joined the affordable housing with DCC and FCC but they only offered me 1 bed apartments which wasnt for me. I kept the savings going while bearing in mind that one day the bubble had to burst.