Sometimes people over-extend themselves, according to Liam Farragher. Liam's advice is clear, set your budget and stick to it. Tony Kavanagh mentions finance as an area where people sometimes fail to do enough research. Tony recommends taking to a mortgage broker to get the best advice on the cost of mortgages.
Colm O’Donnellan says buyers must do their due diligence as the first step to purchasing a property. ‘Buyers must be 100% happy with the area’ according to Olivia Lynch: 'Interiors and exteriors can be changed, but not the location', is Olivia's advice to intending buyers.
Martin Gohery advises that both the location and the property should suit the requirements. Don’t buy in the ‘right’ area if the property does not suit the requirements.
John Dolan of John Dolan Auctioneers, Ballinasloe says people should be prepared to look further than the city and its outskirts, as there is great value available the further you go from Galway city. Look beyond the cosmetic work that may be required is the advice from Colm Ruane as ‘properties that need a bit of work offer better value’.
Maybe it is easier said than done, especially when the auctioneer is weaving their spell, and in Galway we have some great auctioneers enticing us in the auction room, but Maureen McKeown advises to ‘know when to stop bidding and walk away’.
AND WHEN SELLING
Tony Kavanagh outlines the three areas where sellers need to focus, have the house presented well, have all the legal documents in place and advertise the property to a wide and extensive audience.
Following this advice will give sellers the best chance of achieving the desired outcome. Colm O’Donnellan stresses that the house must be 'presentable for viewing and accessible to potential buyers’. Maureen Mc Keown is of a similar mind, ‘always present a clean and tidy property’ she advises, while Liam Farragher says sellers often underestimate the amount of time and work that is required to sell in this market. Colm Ruane says ‘presentation of the property is key and spending a bit to do up the property will see returns’.
