O’Donnellan and Joyce auctioneers' first nationwide property auction of 2020 took place last Friday February 28 in the Harbour Hotel in Galway city. There was a great selection of properties on offer, from the heart of Galway city to the scenic countryside villages of Renvyle and throughout parts of Kildare and the sunny southeast. After a busy four weeks of advertising and open viewings it is not surprising there was a huge amount of interest shown from across the globe. There were a large number of phone and internet bidders, nationally and internationally, with bids coming from throughout Ireland and further afield on the properties which were located around the country.
The combination of the live auction along with internet and phone bidding and the streaming of the auction to anywhere in the world has widened the scope to obtain both national and international buyers. A number of international investors who purchased prime investment properties to add to their portfolios, while a number of families also bid remotely and purchased their soon-to-be family homes.
With exceptional value in the room on the day the catalogue included commercial properties in rural towns and villages as well as detached houses and apartments in Galway city, Dublin, and Kildare and land throughout Mayo and Donegal. With the growing reputation of the local auctioneering firm, it seems that its reach is now nationwide as it soaks up some superb properties in the counties of Wicklow, Wexford, Tipperary, Kildare, and Dublin, as well as the usual Mayo, Sligo, Roscommon, and Donegal areas which are popular with the now nationwide agent.
The highlights of the day were in Galway city and its suburbs. It is not surprising at this stage that Galway city properties, both residential and commercial, attracted a huge amount of interest from investors, first time buyers, and owner occupiers.
Some of the Galway properties on sale included a three bedroom semidetached home in the popular residential development of Cedarwood Park, Highfield Park, Galway, which sold for €354,000. Following a considerable number of viewings, an intense bidding war between a number of parties in the room and 22 bids, the hammer fell to a young couple who were delighted to have secured the property for themselves. Located within walking distance of Galway city centre and just a leisurely stroll from a host of supermarkets, schools, sports and recreational facilities, Highfield Park is a popular estate for many young families who enjoy the lifestyle that the area offers.
A three bedroom end-of-terrace home at No 32 Ashe Road, Shantalla, Galway, also went under the hammer in the auction. Constructed in the 1960s, this lovely home offers two reception rooms and a fully tiled shower room on the ground floor and three bedrooms on the first floor. The property boasts a large private garden to the rear with ample space and the possibility to extend the residence. After 18 bids, the sale concluded to a phone bidder €25,000 above the advised minimum value of €250,000.
An apartment located in Maigh Riocaird, Castlegar, went under the hammer for sale with tenants in place. Attractively priced, a number of investors were keen on the property as it offered excellent value, and it subsequently sold for €125,000. This residential development offers a mixture of apartments and terraced houses and is attractive to investors and owner occupiers due to its close proximity to the city centre.
A beautifully appointed three bedroom detached home in Creganna, Oranmore, on a 0.5 acre site and offering manicured lawns and landscaped gardens also went under the hammer on Friday last. Boasting a wonderful family home environment, this residence appealed to many first time buyers and those looking for a tranquil countryside home suitable for growing families. Bidding opened at €310,000 and concluded at €322,000 but, as it had not reached the reserve, the property was withdrawn from the auction and the highest bidder was offered exclusivity with the seller post auction to put a deal together. A sale price was agreed and the deal was sealed under sales agent Anne Harding.
A number of out-of-town properties also went under the hammer with a popular hotel located in Foxford selling on the day. The Mayfly Hotel located on Main Street, Foxford, Co Mayo, was just one of many commercial properties which sold at auction. Units 20C and 20D were offered for sale as a combined lot. Listed as office space, this highly desirable property attracted a number of remote bidders who lined up for this property. The eventual purchaser payed €100,000 above the guide price to secure the attractive investment. Semidetached and detached homes in Sligo, Roscommon, Donegal, Kildare, Wicklow, Wexford, and Dublin also offered great variety, with sizes and guiding prices ranging from €30,000 to €325,000.
Colm O’Donnellan of O’Donnellan & Joyce auctioneers commented: "There really was exceptional value in the auction room and we are delighted with the performance on the day. There were very happy buyers and sellers leaving the room, with great value around the country. The combination of the live stream with internet and phone bidding gives buyers and sellers who cannot attend the auction the chance to watch the event happen live, and we have had purchasers from all over the world participate in our 2019 auctions which have been the biggest and most successful to date. The February auction which took place last week was the first of seven auctions which will take place throughout 2020 and we look forward to the forecasted growth in the service as the year progresses."
Other properties that sold on the day:
No 8B Garden Apartments, Devoy Quarter, Naas, Co Kildare – sold for €234,000.
No 21 Cois Abhainn, Ballinrobe Road, Westport, Co Mayo – sold for €159,000.
No 35 The Fairways, Castlebar, Co Mayo – sold for €140,000.
No 21 Riverbank, Easkey, Co Sligo – sold for €102,000.
No 36 Westview, Cloonfad, Co Roscommon – sold for €51,000.
No 83 Meadowbank Park, Letterkenny, Co Donegal – sold for €60,000.
No 304 Swords Road, Santry, Dublin 9 – sold for €285,000.
No 5 Old Mill, Ardnaglass, Pettigo, Co Donegal – sold for €94,000.
No 68 Villa Park Avenue, Navan Road, Dublin 9 – sold for €325,000.
Car park at Inis Carraig, Athlone, Co Westmeath – sold for €80,000.
No 19 Edenmount Hall, Brooklawns, Sligo – sold for €98,000.
No 7 An Gharran, Long Lane, Letterkenny, Donegal - sold for €83,000.
Cornafulla, Athlone, Co Roscommon - sold for €120,000.
No 45 Corn Mill Park, Ballymote, Co Sligo - sold for €76,000.
No 63 Corrib Park, Newcastle, Galway - sold for €175,000.
Site at Meenmore, Dungloe, Co Donegal - sold for €25,000.
No 31 The Hawthorns, Buncrana, Co Donegal - sold for €80,000.
Tobervaddy, Athleaghue, Roscommon - sold for €34,000.
No 6 Coill Dara, Tubbercurry, Sligo - sold for €166,000.
No 11 Ard Abhainn, Foxford, Mayo - sold for €66,000.
Are you thinking of selling in 2020? O’Donnellan & Joyce’s next nationwidew property auction takes place on Friday April 17. The registration deadline for selling a property is Friday March 13 — register early and benefit from an extended marketing campaign. Give your property the best service and call O’Donnellan & Joyce auctioneers for more information and to arrange your free ‘thinking of selling’ valuation.
For further information contact O’Donnellan & Joyce auctioneers, 5 Mary Street, Galway, on 091 564212, www.odonnjoyce.com, or email [email protected].
