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Please help! I am trying to purchase a home in Ireland and cannot get an agent(buyer

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  • 26-01-2018 6:57am
    #1
    Registered Users Posts: 17 Boncap


    I have repeatedly contacted agents with my interest to buy. I have stated to them that I am motivated and have cash to purchase immidiately. I must be doing something wrong, as this is most certainly not the Irish hospitality and friendliness I am use to.
    For the life of me I can't figure this out!

    Signed
    Sad and confused in Vancouver Canada


«1

Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 472 ✭✭Staph


    Are you contacting them about a specific house? Have you placed bids?


  • Registered Users Posts: 18,990 ✭✭✭✭Del2005


    How are you contacting them? If by email they might think you are some type of scam. Maybe phone a few estate agents that have had houses you like and see if they have anything similar.


  • Registered Users Posts: 17 Boncap


    Staph wrote: »
    Are you contacting them about a specific house? Have you placed bids?
    I have emailed and called them. I have asked them to call me back and have no responses. I have told them which listing I interested in. I'm not sure how I place a bid without talking to someone???


  • Registered Users Posts: 17 Boncap


    Del2005 wrote: »
    How are you contacting them? If by email they might think you are some type of scam. Maybe phone a few estate agents that have had houses you like and see if they have anything similar.
    I have called the listing agents about specific listings on daft.ie and property.ie - I cannot get a response from any of them


  • Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 51,688 Mod ✭✭✭✭Stheno


    Boncap wrote: »
    I have called the listing agents about specific listings on daft.ie and property.ie - I cannot get a response from any of them

    Where are you trying to buy?


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  • Registered Users Posts: 17 Boncap


    Stheno wrote: »
    Boncap wrote: »
    I have called the listing agents about specific listings on daft.ie and property.ie - I cannot get a response from any of them

    Where are you trying to buy?
    I am not really that specific on where, more interested in finding the property that meets my requirements


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,050 ✭✭✭OU812


    Boncap wrote: »
    I am not really that specific on where, more interested in finding the property that meets my requirements

    They don’t do that here. That’s the American/Canadian way of doing things.

    Here you look up houses, spot one you like, book a viewing and if all goes ok, you put an offer in.


  • Registered Users Posts: 17 Boncap


    OU812 wrote: »
    Boncap wrote: »
    I am not really that specific on where, more interested in finding the property that meets my requirements

    They don’t do that here. That’s the American/Canadian way of doing things.

    Here you look up houses, spot one you like, book a viewing and if all goes ok, you put an offer in.


    I cannot view it - I was hoping to find an agent I trust to take pictures and such and purchase it from here. I have spotted about 10 now I would have liked more information on- and then put in an offer from here.


  • Registered Users Posts: 17 Boncap


    Also, I can not book a viewing when no one will call me back


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,050 ✭✭✭OU812


    Boncap wrote: »
    I cannot view it - I was hoping to find an agent I trust to take pictures and such and purchase it from here. I have spotted about 10 now I would have liked more information on- and then put in an offer from here.

    Yeah, unfortunately they’re not going to do that here.

    You could try one of the larger agencies. DNG or Sherry Fitzgerald. But they have franchisees so you’d be better off dealing direct with their head offices.

    Can them, have a discussion with them and tell them your situation and that’s the way you’re used to doing things.

    They probably won’t do anything without a non refundable retainer.

    They also generally won’t be able to “find” you a house. They’ll suggest something they have on their books and won’t be able to or willing to engage with other agencies as there’s nothing in it for them.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 472 ✭✭Staph


    OU812 wrote: »
    Here you look up houses, spot one you like, book a viewing and if all goes ok, you put an offer in.

    That’s reallly it. They don’t source houses for you. You have to assess the criteria you want and pick houses in their listings that suit. Are you based in Ireland or are you trying to buy from Canada?


  • Registered Users Posts: 17 Boncap


    Thank you so much for your responses!
    I am trying to buy from Canada.
    I have called about specific listings and left message of my interest to offer - they have not responded back to me.
    I am thinking I cannot be the only person interested in buying from over seas. I would tell them I am willing to pay a retainer if anyone would call me back!


  • Posts: 0 ✭✭ Vance Faithful Beggar


    Sure look send me the money and I'll buy the house for you!


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,583 ✭✭✭cloneslad


    There are companies who act as buyers for you, you tell them your requirements and they will find you a property, take photos of it, Skype you the place etc. They do the whole buying process for you.

    From watching that show with Brendan Courtney a few months back one example is eldron.ie who had their owner on it in a few episodes.

    There's probably others too.


  • Registered Users Posts: 17 Boncap


    Vance Faithful Beggar- I just may have to take you up on that offer!!!😂😂😂

    Cloneslad- I have contacted a buyers agency- very highly rated in approval ratings- they won't call me back either !!!!!!😩


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,583 ✭✭✭cloneslad


    Boncap wrote: »
    Vance Faithful Beggar- I just may have to take you up on that offer!!!������

    Cloneslad- I have contacted a buyers agency- very highly rated in approval ratings- they won't call me back either !!!!!!��

    I'm all out of ideas except contact a few of them. I'm sure someone will get back to you.


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,832 ✭✭✭Alkers


    Try buyersagent.ie I've not used them


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,205 ✭✭✭cruizer101


    Would you not consider renting for a while before committing to purchasing a house. Would also mean you can actually view the house and also check the area out where you want to buy in terms of local services, shops, schools, transport links, recreation facilities etc. Now that said rents are a bit mad at teh moment also.
    There is a housing shortage at the moment so estate agents are having much trouble shifting properties meaning anything that is more hassle they probably don't want to bother with.


  • Posts: 5,121 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    The traditional estate agents you are contacting work for the seller.

    It is a classic problem but there is no benefit to them to go to a lot of time and hassle to help you when they will get the same commission from selling to someone who walks into their office with cash in their pocket.

    Buying a house sight unseen is risky.
    Are you Irish originally?
    Are you looking in specific areas that you already know or are you being speculative?
    Timezones - if you are in say Vancouver there is very little overlap in the timezones.
    Edit: I see that you are in Vancouver.
    Irish estate agents are open now at 2am your time till about 10am your time.
    Are you being specific about properties or are you ringing up talking in generalities?
    Are you looking in popular areas?


  • Registered Users Posts: 194 ✭✭happyfriday74


    Most estate agents act for the seller not the buyer.

    However their are a few buyers agents in the market that specialise in this.

    PM sent


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  • Registered Users Posts: 10,327 ✭✭✭✭Marcusm


    Boncap wrote: »
    I am not really that specific on where, more interested in finding the property that meets my requirements

    You are living 9 timezones away; unless it is a property that they have no one interested in, you are not going to get a great response. You'll need to come over, make arrangements for lots of viewings and try and see a solicitor so you understand how things work legally and find some way to verify your financial position.

    Fundamentally, in desirable areas there is a shortage of properties. A remote buyer with few if any plans to view is of no interest to an agent or seller except for the purposes of stoking a bidding war with other purchasers. Until you show some buyer's intent, you are a very risky proposition to take seriously.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,269 ✭✭✭1641


    Boncap,

    As others have said, in popular regions houses are scarce and buyers plenty. Estate agents (acting for the seller) are unlikely to be motivated by an enquiry from thousands of miles away, as this may make the sale process unwieldy and uncertain.A lot of people buying from overseas will have a family member acting on their behalf here in Ireland.

    If you are determined to proceed this way I would suggest you at least locate a solicitor to act for you in the legal process. It might go some way towards showing that you are committed.

    Buying agents for house are very unusual here in Ireland - I don't know of anyone who has ever used one. However, a quick google search threw up these (I don't know anything about them) :

    http://www.buyersagent.ie/


  • Registered Users Posts: 31 CorkonianBoy


    Another "buyer broker" is buyersagent.ie who will act as your representative and will do inspections, etc. They will charge 1-2% of the sale price for the service which is well worth it.
    Ask for:
    Olivia Hanafin
    The Buyer's Agent

    Web: www.buyersagent.ie
    Tel: [url=tel:+%20353%20(0)%2085%20152%20380]+ 353 (0) 85 1520 380[/url]
    Licence No: 003060-005632


  • Registered Users Posts: 31 CorkonianBoy


    I bought a holiday home in County Cork.  Lots of pitfalls in buying property in Ireland but if you have a good solicitor and a motivated vendor, you are on the right track.  In my experiences, many vendors are not motivated and list their property at unrealistic prices.  Also, many auctioneers want to create bidding wars so don't be surprised if they do not quickly respond to an offer.  Also for older homes, planning permission approvals are often missing so you must have someone check with planning departments to take a look at the file.  Gazumping is common so even if you have an accepted offer, you might loose out to another bidder.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,687 ✭✭✭blacklilly


    I think Owen Reilly would offer the service you're looking for http://www.owenreilly.ie/buyers-agent/


  • Registered Users Posts: 17 Boncap


    Thank you so much everyone.
    I am at work and will respond to you all later today!


  • Registered Users Posts: 17 Boncap


    I bought a holiday home in County Cork.  Lots of pitfalls in buying property in Ireland but if you have a good solicitor and a motivated vendor, you are on the right track.  In my experiences, many vendors are not motivated and list their property at unrealistic prices.  Also, many auctioneers want to create bidding wars so don't be surprised if they do not quickly respond to an offer.  Also for older homes, planning permission approvals are often missing so you must have someone check with planning departments to take a look at the file.  Gazumping is common so even if you have an accepted offer, you might loose out to another bidder.

    Thank you for your response. I am wondering if you might name some of these pitfalls for me?


  • Registered Users Posts: 17 Boncap


    Another "buyer broker" is buyersagent.ie who will act as your representative and will do inspections, etc. They will charge 1-2% of the sale price for the service which is well worth it.
    Ask for:
    Olivia Hanafin
    The Buyer's Agent

    Web: www.buyersagent.ie
    Tel: [url=tel:+%20353%20(0)%2085%20152%20380]+ 353 (0) 85 1520 380[/url]
    Licence No: 003060-005632
    We have left two messages for Olivia and have not heard back from her


  • Registered Users Posts: 17 Boncap


    Thank you so much for all of your responses and good advice. We have now contacted eldron. I will let you know if I get a response.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 350 ✭✭Palmy


    I am sure you will find tax implications trying to do this. You can’t just magically transfer that amount of money without alarm bells going off. This is obviously to stop criminal activity and money laundering. Unless you find a broker who deals with this often the agent might be reluctant to work with you out of fear of legal implications. I am a Realtor in the US but lived in Ireland for 13 years. Hope that helps

    Ps. I can sell you property in Florida, we have plenty of Canadians here. Lol


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