Sherry FitzGerald Carroll
Sherry FitzGerald welcomes the €11.3bn allocation to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in Budget 2026. This year’s budget, while more restrained in current expenditure and with no changes to personal income tax, demonstrates a prudent focus on essential infrastructure.
Sherry FitzGerald, Ireland’s largest estate agency, today reported that the average value of second-hand homes in Ireland rose by 1.8% in the third quarter of the year. Over the past 12 months, property values have risen by 7.3%, highlighting the continuing challenges in the housing market.
As autumn approaches, you might be more focused on summer holidays and long, sunlit evenings than on selling your home. However, if you’re considering putting your property on the market, now is the perfect time to start preparing.
With a little foresight and thoughtful planning, you can make sure your home catches the eye of committed buyers eager to move in before the year ends.
When the sun shines in Ireland, we all want to make the most of it. That spirit is increasingly shaping what buyers are looking for in their next home. Across the country, we’re seeing growing interest in properties that offer that little bit extra: a space to relax, entertain, and enjoy the summer months from the comfort of home. In short, homes that double as your own personal staycation spot.
Over years, the expression ‘Swiss Army’ has been adapted as a prefix meaning something which can do more than one thing, after the famous multi-tool pocket knife now manufactured by the firm Victorinox and in much the way the brand Teflon has come to mean ‘that to which nothing sticks’.
Sherry FitzGerald, Ireland’s largest estate agent, reported today (Tuesday May 20th, 2025) that capital flows into the Irish property market totalled €28.7 billion in 2024. This represents a robust 13% increase on the €25.5 billion recorded in 2023. Improvements in capital spend were seen across the commercial and residential property sectors.
“Rising property prices, supply shortages, and geopolitical uncertainty intensify housing market pressures”
Statement by Marian Finnegan, Managing Director, Sherry FitzGerald
Friday 4th April 2025
The New Year is all about making a new start. If you’re planning on selling your property, this is an excellent time to begin the process. Potential buyers are energised and highly motivated. They’ve probably made a New Year’s resolution to buy a new home! To tap into that energy, get your property on the market at the start of the year.
Decorating your property for Christmas viewings is a lovely way of adding interest and sparkle at a dark time of the year. ‘Make sure your property is fully staged before you start styling,’ says Natasha Rocca Devine, interior architect and stylist. ‘The decluttering, cleaning and painting come first. The next step is having the photographs taken. Don’t include anything Christmassy at this stage, because the house may sell later in the year.’
Then, talk to your Sherry FitzGerald estate agent. Are they anticipating a lot of viewings over Christmas and who do they expect to view the property? If it’s a small apartment keep the festive styling minimal. But, if a property is suitable for families, Christmas décor will help viewers to imagine themselves into the home.
Probate is a legal process that happens after someone dies. It confirms the validity of their will and gives their executor the legal authority to administer the estate. Applying for the grant of probate requires a valuation of assets to calculate inheritance tax. When probate is granted, and any debts and taxes have been paid, the estate will be divided among the beneficiaries according to the terms of the will.
Where property is part of the estate, the executor will need a Probate Valuation Report before applying for probate. A Probate Valuation Report is a formal opinion of the value of the property, undertaken by a registered valuer for Revenue purposes. For probate purposes, the value of the property is its value on the date of death. Sherry FitzGerald has a team of registered valuers around the country who can undertake this service with kindness, efficiency, and clarity.
Harriet Grant, registered valuer with Sherry FitzGerald, explains the process.
Rightsizing, also known as downsizing, means moving to more suitable housing. It generally happens in later life when people move from a family home to a smaller and more manageable property.
While not the panacea to solve the housing crisis, Budget 2025 includes some good news for those who rent their homes and those who intend to buy.
Building Energy Rating (BER) evaluates your home based on how energy efficient it is. The scale goes from A to G, with A-rated homes being the most energy efficient and G-rated homes the least. The BER of a property is calculated according to the energy your home requires for heating, hot water, ventilation, and lighting.
Q: I’m thinking about letting a property but the process seems so complicated! Where do I start?
Eileen Sheehy, managing director Sherry FitzGerald Sheehy Lettings, offers her expert advice.
Buying property is a complicated process. With over 40 years’ experience working with buyers all over Ireland, we’ve researched and developed a selection of useful guides and resources to provide you with the insight you need..
From getting mortgage-ready to preparing and submitting your full application, our Mortgages division have the insight and expertise you need to help secure you the best possible outcome.
Applying in-depth research methodologies, we regularly publish market updates, trends, forecasts and more helping you make informed property decisions backed up by hard facts and information.
