Tony Kavanagh of Sherry FitzGerald Kavanagh has reported strong sales activity for residential property in all parts of Galway city and surrounds in 2010. Mr Kavanagh said the main activity was in family homes for owner occupier purchasers who require their first home, those with expanding families who are trading up, or those who require smaller properties.
“We have seen very strong demand for traditional starter homes such as three and four bedroom semidetached homes in suburban locations such as Roscam, Rahoon, Newcastle, and Knocknacarra,” he said. “Also strong demand for larger detached family homes in areas such as Salthill, Barna, Oranmore, and Taylor’s Hill, again where owner occupiers are buying homes with space which they intend occupying for 10 years plus. These buyers are making their purchasing decisions on needs and practical use of the property for their family structure over a long period of time. Many find they can get quality property which now represents very good value.”
Mr Kavanagh has reported strong levels of semidetached sales in Knocknacarra in Monalee Manor, An Cimín Mór, Driseóg, and Ros Aitinn on the Clybaun Road. Three and four bed semis in areas like Rahoon, Roscam, and Newcastle have also proved very popular. Larger detached homes Salthill, Threadneedle Road, Devon Court, Dr Mannix Road, Barna, and Bushypark have also shown strong demand. Larger homes in the surrounding towns of Claregalway, Oranmore, and Moycullen have also proved strong.
Townhouses and apartments in Salthill or the city centre are also registering demand with the more owner occupied developments attracting most interest. New homes sales have improved over the past 12 months. Sherry FitzGerald Kavanagh has sold a number of two and three bed apartments and three and four bed houses for the Kenny Group in Leas na Mara, Knocknacarra. Other sales include two bed apartments in Coill Tire, Doughiska, large luxury homes in Carraig an Iolair in Barna, new waterfront apartments in Salthill, and new townhouses in the Claddagh.
“Purchasers are seeking value for money for their spend, which means buying the property at a price that reflects the current market and they will be attracted to the better fitted and presented houses first,” Mr Kavanagh added. “We would advise all our vendors to present their property to the best of their resources as this is a key factor in whether you achieve a successful sale or not.”
Sherry FitzGerald has experienced three recessions since opening its doors in 1981, and in the past 29 years the company has grown to be the largest estate agency group in Ireland and the most recognisable property brand with 92 offices nationally. “Selling property is our business and we know how to achieve successful sales in strong and weak market conditions,” Mr Kavanagh said. “The level of sales we have completed in the past 12 months proves we don’t just list properties, we sell them. We offer correct market researched advice on the value of our clients’ property before going to market. We advise on presentation of the property and we ourselves feel we will present the property through the marketing mediums to its best advantage with excellent photography (many professionally taken ), floor plans of each property, professionally printed brochures, full window display at our offices in Eyre Square, listing on Ireland’s three largest property websites sherryfitz.ie, daft.ie, and myhome.ie, and large colour adverts in local and national papers. In addition, Sherry FitzGerald Kavanagh has a very actively managed database of qualified buyers who we call when we receive a new property that matches their needs. It is our job as agents to present our clients’ properties in the very best image and open it to the widest market possible.”
Mr Kavanagh has also offered some advice to people who want to sell property this year. “Do not just list your property with an agent,” he said. “If it’s not moving, review its marketing, pricing, and presentation. Talk to us, we will give you proper market researched and experienced advice that works. Some estate agents like to have lots of ‘For Sale’ signs up with a big list of incorrectly pitched prices. We prefer to have a smaller list of correctly pitched properties with a lot of ‘Sold’ signs up.”
This will be another challenging year for the Irish economy, however if you are considering moving, buying or selling, or both, be assured that there are many sales happening and good value to be had, so don’t put off a move for fear of the market. Stamp duty changes to one per cent in the Budget will encourage trade.
Sherry FitzGerald Kavanagh is looking forward to a busy selling season in early 2011 and can offer free and confidential advice to anyone considering selling. For more information call to the office at No 4 Eyre Square, or phone (091 ) 569123 and ask for Lorraine Scully or Tony Kavanagh.
