Buying a home in Ireland involves more than agreeing a price. This page walks through the usual sequence of steps and the costs that sit around the purchase. Practice varies between sales, and your solicitor is the right person to guide you through the specifics of your own transaction.
From viewing to sale agreed
Properties are commonly advertised at a guide price and sold through private treaty, where bids are made and accepted, or by auction. Once a bid is accepted the property is described as sale agreed, but the deal is not legally binding until contracts are signed and exchanged, so keep viewing and due diligence in mind until then.
What your solicitor does
Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership. Your solicitor reviews the contract, examines title, raises queries, checks planning compliance and any outstanding charges, arranges the transfer of funds and registers your ownership. Delays often come from missing documents or unresolved title issues, so responding quickly to requests helps.
Surveys, energy ratings and insurance
A building survey can highlight structural or maintenance problems before you commit. The Building Energy Rating (BER) certificate tells you about a home's energy performance and is required when a property is advertised for sale. Lenders normally require home insurance to be in place from the date you take on the mortgage, and often life cover as well.
Costs to budget for
- Deposit and the balance of the price
- Stamp duty, where applicable
- Solicitor fees, searches and registration costs
- Valuation and survey fees
- Insurance premiums and moving costs
Exact figures depend on the property and the professionals you choose, so ask for written quotes early rather than estimating from an online average.