Last year has proven to be a record year for sales at well-known Galway based auctioneer O’Donnellan & Joyce despite the ongoing pandemic. The results come after the company reels in its year of private treaty successes over the past 12 months and plans ahead for 2021. With nearly 40 years of experience selling homes and commercial property in Galway city and county, there is no part of Galway unknown to the team at ODJ.
According to the Daft.ie Business Intelligence Report, O’Donnellan & Joyce auctioneers at 5 Mary Street in Galway is listed as the number one real estate agent in Galway in terms of sales. The company commands an impressive 21 per cent market share in terms of volume over the past 12 months. O’Donnellan & Joyce strives to stay two steps ahead of the competition by implementing new and inventive methods of marketing and showing its properties in a time where physical viewings and face to face consultations are not possible.
The private treaty department, led by Niall Browne and staffed by Shane McDonagh, Hugh O’Donnellan, Jamie Costello, and Emma Carpenter, has observed considerable growth over the past year with Q3 and Q4 sales exceeding the expectations of both the agents and their vendors. With in excess of €70 million raised for their vendors last year alone, the team and their well respected branding offer the best service that one could expect.
The private treaty team experienced enormous price increases last year, with Salthill, The Claddagh, and the city centre attracting the most buyers. According to Niall Browne the suburbs saw price increases of three to five per cent. “Most buyers are paying more in rent than they would in mortgage repayments and many are making the move to purchase,” he said. While Browne and the team sold close to 250 residential properties across the county last year, they also sold a large number of new builds and with most sold out, he fears a further shortage will come, and prices of secondhand property will continue to increase. “There were some new home schemes available,” he said, but “these are now mostly sold. There are far fewer developments due to launch in 2021 and little, if any, development land for sale.”
Aaron O’Reilly, marketing executive at O’Donnellan & Joyce, noted: “We are receiving new instructions daily to offer properties for sale and to rent. In the past week, the team have valued multiple Galway city homes and we expect these to launch in the coming days. While the current lockdown has hindered some businesses, technology and virtual consultations and viewings have thankfully allowed us to continue to operate with staff working from home but continuing to sell. Given the success and reputation of the company nationwide, many homeowners turn to a brand that they trust. We are 39 years in business and despite the challenges of 2020, we are delighted with our performance. We have major plans for 2021 and we look forward to another successful year of sales.”
With a 21 per cent market share in Galway, O’Donnellan & Joyce is the largest agent in the west of Ireland in terms of volume of properties sold each year, and the company expects to improve its performance throughout 2021 with the addition of new staff to the team. More individuals behind an already powerful brand means that every buyer and every seller will receive an even greater personal experience.
Niall Browne, senior manager of the private treaty department, said he is kept busy with a massive influx of second hand homes being offered to the market as owners look to cash out on investments, upgrade to a more modern family home, and empty nesters look to downsize. With the strength of the market in Galway at present, many properties which are listed for sale are snapped up quickly by investors, first time buyers, or those looking for a change of lifestyle or location. With the advances in technology and the challenges presented to agents during the current pandemic, Niall Browne commented: “The way we do business has changed greatly over the past 12 months. We are now relying more on technology and we are embracing these changes for the better. We can keep our clients and staff safe by carrying out virtual viewings, valuations, and consultations. We can market and sell our properties to a much greater audience thanks to the global reach of our marketing, and we have seen many more higher offers coming in as a result of this. We look forward to 2021 and the launch of many new products and services that we have been quietly working on for the past year.”
O’Donnellan & Joyce noted the sale of nearly 250 homes by private treaty throughout 2020 with some notable sales including:
Averard West, Taylor's Hill, Galway: A patiently restored period home with excellently proportioned rooms and plenty of character that includes originals features such as sash windows, shutters, high ceilings, and wooden floors in some rooms while accommodating some modern family necessities. This exceptional Victorian residence is set in its own private, mature, grounds which provides a secluded woodland retreat in the heart of the city. O’Donnellan & Joyce has many national and international buyers in search of homes of this calibre. With many significant residential properties sold on and off market, the team at ODJ always have the right buyer for any property.
The Nurseries, Taylor's Hill, Galway: An impressive detached home presented in turnkey condition throughout, well maintained and having recently undergone substantial refurbishment. The property offers a private rear garden with a sought-after westerly aspect, patio area, bike storage, and a solid built shed. Offered for sale by private treaty, the property was intensely marketed after the launch with professional quality photos and a video tour available. Interest soared in the first few weeks with many national and international buyers expressing an interest. Online for just a short time, the property sold and the owners were able to fulfill their dreams of moving in to their new home not far away.
Devon Park, Salthill, Galway: A remarkable semidetached residence located in a traffic-free cul-de-sac in the much acclaimed residential area of Devon Park. This family home is within walking distance of Salthill village. You are spoiled for choice for all major community amenities. This property is a fine example of the style of home that many families are seeking.
Ashe Road, Shantalla, Galway: Located within 350 metres of UHG and NUIG, this property has all that one would require at its doorstep. The property is also serviced by an excellent road and bus network, and Shop Street is just 2km away. Shantalla homes have become very popular in the past years due to the proximity of the city centre. Families both young and old enjoy the lifestyle that it offers, with investors looking to secure these prime properties which attract high levels of rent.
Sylvan Road, Fairlands Park, Newcastle, Galway: Location, location, location are the three things that you are always advised to look for when acquiring a property, and there is none more desirable than Newcastle in Galway. Brought to market via private treaty, this exceptional six bed detached home on a substantial corner site in this popular residential area on the west side of the city attracted massive interest. The property allows for easy access to the city centre and is surrounded by a host of amenities and services. Properties in this area are highly attractive investment and family homes with many well-known Irish celebrities having lived in the area in the past.
Clybaun Road, Knocknacarra, Galway: A stunning 4,500sq ft five bed detached residence located on the Upper Clybaun Road, Knocknacarra, Galway. This impressive private family residence comes with a separate former Montessori which would provide an ideal ‘work from home’ facility or childcare business. The property is wonderfully decorated inside and offers an open plan kitchen and dining room, a spacious sitting room, and decked rear patio area. Homes of this size and style rarely come up for sale so when they do, be sure to act fast.
Other properties which sale agreed over the past year include those located in:
Rockbarton Court, Salthill, Galway.
Whitestrand Park, Salthill, Galway.
Salerno, Rockbarton West, Salthill, Galway.
Ardilaun Road, Newcastle, Galway.
Cartur Mor, Clybaun Road, Knocknacarra, Galway.
Clybaun Court, Clybaun Road, Knocknacarra, Galway.
Sliabh Rioga, Letteragh Road, Rahoon, Galway.
Fisherman's Wharf, Bowling Green, Galway.
Bowling Green, Galway city centre.
Fairgreen House, Fairgreen Road, Galway.
Crescent View, Riverside, Tuam Road, Galway.
Gleann Rua, Renmore, Galway.
Glengowla West, Oughterard, Galway.
Newtown, Kilcolgan, Galway.
Cregmore, Claregalway, Galway.
In addition to these second hand properties which were sold in 2020, O’Donnellan & Joyce saw a huge increase in the demand for new homes with JJ Rhatigan Homes offering Tigh an Ghabhann, comprising nine luxury semidetached and detached homes located in Moycullen village. Also on offer in Moycullen is Gairdin an Tobar on the Mountain Road. O’Donnellan & Joyce is the largest new homes sales agent in the west of Ireland and also has on offer the following developments:
JRBOC Construction sold a large number of semidetached homes in Gleantann na hAbhann in Craughwell, Co Galway, with just a few units remaining. Three large detached homes were also brought to the market at Caislin, Dyke Road, in Galway city.
In Clarinbridge, Redington Woods offers prestigious country style living in the heart of the village. With just one home remaining in this development, anyone with a desire for a period style home boasting style and space is advised to inquire about a viewing soon.
Gort na Carraige in Barna village offers an array of house styles, but with few units remaining, interested parties are also reminded to make contact soon. Kinport Construction offered its development of prestigious homes by the sea at Furbo in west Galway.
Premier builder O’Malley Construction currently has a selection of homes still available at Tuairin on the Coast Road between Oranmore and Galway. With a beautiful array of layouts available, backed by the reputation of this Galway construction company, anyone looking for a special home in a great location is advised to check these out.
O’Donnellan & Joyce auctioneers is the number one professional service provider in Galway when it comes to selling, renting, or valuing a property. If you are thinking of selling your property, then look no further than the award winning O’Donnellan & Joyce team. With free ‘thinking of selling’ valuations carried out and many positive testimonials from previous vendors, you can rest assured that the 39-year-old business has attracted some of the country’s finest agents, each bringing his/her own experience and knowledge to the table.
To avail of a free ‘thinking of selling’ valuation or for additional details, contact the company at its Mary Street office on 091 564 212 or by email at [email protected].
