Advice centre
Short, practical guides to the parts of Irish property that confuse everyone the first time round.
Residential stamp duty is 1% of the purchase price up to €1 million and 2% on the balance above it. Your solicitor pays it at closing from funds you provide — so budget for it alongside your deposit, not after.
Source: Revenue — Stamp Duty
Every home sold or let in Ireland needs a Building Energy Rating from A1 to G. It estimates energy use and running costs — the gap between a B-rated and F-rated family home can be €1,500+ a year. Grants through the SEAI can fund upgrades like insulation, heat pumps and solar.
Source: SEAI — Building Energy Rating
Help to Buy gives first-time buyers a tax rebate of up to €30,000 toward a new build. The First Home Scheme is shared equity: the State funds up to 30% of the price and takes the same stake. They're separate schemes and can be combined — but both apply to new homes only.
Source: Revenue — Help to Buy Incentive
Returning emigrants and international buyers face extra steps: proving funds, anti-money-laundering checks, and often buying non-resident which can affect mortgage options. Irish citizens returning from abroad may qualify as first-time buyers again in some cases. Talk to us early — we handle cross-border purchases every month.
Selling a home after a bereavement usually requires a Grant of Probate before contracts can close, which can take several months. We handle these sales with discretion, coordinate with your solicitor, and can prepare the property for market while probate is in train.
Source: Citizens Information — Dealing with a deceased person's estate
Chains are less common in Ireland than the UK, but buying and selling at once still needs choreography. Going sale agreed on your own home before committing to a purchase protects you — bridging finance exists but is expensive and should be a last resort.
Source: CCPC — Buying a home