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Now Ye're Talking - to Ciarán from Crazyhouseprices

  • 23-05-2022 1:44pm
    #1
    Boards.ie Employee Posts: 12,597 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Boards.ie Community Manager


    Our AMA guest today is Ciarán from the well known Instagram (and Twitter) pages, crazyhouseprices. With the ongoing housing crisis and a very hot property market right now for both buying and renting, Ciarán shares some of the more crazy properties being offered out there - crazy for the wrong reasons. He's here to answer your questions about crazyhouseprices and his thoughts on the property market. 

    Ciarán will be online later today to answer some questions but I am getting things started now so that there are a few questions for him by the time he logs in, he will have limited time to post answers. Thanks all :)

    Post edited by Boards.ie: Niamh on


«1

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,773 ✭✭✭connemara man


    Soooo how fecked are we????



  • Posts: 8,856 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Are the mega landlords who have 1000s of houses on their books and are often found having bought up whole estates and apartment blocks be the key reason why home ownership is greatly reduced right now?

    Given the economy, the shortage of skills etc Will the housing supply ever again meet or out strip demand or will it always be too many people chasing too few houses?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 418 ✭✭DFB-D


    It seems to me that when EAs show bids received (eg online system) prices and activity is far less than on similar properties without a bidding system.

    Any thoughts on this, are EA's falsely creating hype on properties?



  • Company Representative Posts: 20 Verified rep Crazyhouseprices: Ciarán


    Very 😭



  • Company Representative Posts: 20 Verified rep Crazyhouseprices: Ciarán


    I'm not sure, to be honest, those questions are above my knowledge level. The (very) pro "supply supply supply" economists seem to think we would be even worse off without those multi billion dollar investment funds that are buying up everything, as they are the only ones who have pockets deep enough for the large BTR developments. But when they're charging €2,800/month for a 2 bed apt, I can't see how they're of any benefit...



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  • Company Representative Posts: 20 Verified rep Crazyhouseprices: Ciarán


    Sometimes, those systems (e.g. Offr) only show 2 most recent bids and 1 previous one. So only ever 3 shown. Could this be what you mean?


    Others show each and every bid (e.g. Sherry Fitz system) while others only show the current highest. So I guess it just depends which system they use.


    I'm not sure EAs even need to create false hype, to be fair, as supply is so restricted everywhere. I do think, however, that the entire bidding system here needs a complete overhaul. There's so little transparency and it is very open to manipulation with fake bids, etc.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,597 ✭✭✭jj880


    Many builders now quoting labour only prices. What can the government do to tackle material costs?



  • Company Representative Posts: 20 Verified rep Crazyhouseprices: Ciarán


    I'm finding this inflation with builders are bit perplexing.... I'm just coming towards the end of a complete renovation of our 1920s ex council house. Stripped everything back to the brick and re-did everything, it'll be an A3 BER. My builder's quote is from September and his prices haven't increased at all.


    But I am hearing everywhere that builders are increasing their prices, some by 10% per month! So I don't really know... I suspect a lot of it is just gouging!



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 305 ✭✭waterfordgirl


    Ciarán, you're a legend!! Working harder for us first time buyers than any of our elected representatives IMO - fair play and thanks 😀



  • Company Representative Posts: 20 Verified rep Crazyhouseprices: Ciarán




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  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]




  • Company Representative Posts: 20 Verified rep Crazyhouseprices: Ciarán


    I'm a nobody, really, I just post some helpful stuff on Instagram for people who are desperately struggling to find a home. So take it as a very good sign if you haven't heard about my page!



  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    I'm one of those fortunate people who have a house and no mortgage. 😁



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,867 ✭✭✭knucklehead6


    Oh if ever there was a time for someone to post a Star Wars meme where the emperor is encouraging people to let the hate flow through them then this post is it!! 😂🤣


    https://64.media.tumblr.com/db9b39dfb6efb7bb4ad6a16102c207b9/tumblr_o58t914lf41sl21koo1_540.gifv



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 156 ✭✭ClaudeVercetti


    Hey Ciarán, love the page and finding it very helpful as myself and my partner are going through our own first time buyer journey!

    I was listening to you before telling your story about how you managed to arrange a private sale via writing letters to folks in the area you wanted to buy - do you think with average prices having increased further since then that you would've had similar success in the current climate if you were only doing that now?

    And also have you heard of many people doing similar since you mentioned it on the airwaves?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,773 ✭✭✭connemara man


    In an ideal world how much should a house cost? ( I know that's a how long is a live of string type of question)

    What is the worst house for the silliest money you've come across?

    New build Vs older house to renovate?



  • Company Representative Posts: 20 Verified rep Crazyhouseprices: Ciarán


    Great question! (More info on how we bought off-market here) At the time of buying, we paid more for our house than any other house on that road had ever sold for 😭 but within a few months 2 others sold for between 5% and 33% more than ours but had bigger gardens (the 5% one was in worse condition than ours though, but the 33% one was turn-key).

    Now, only 8 months later, other houses around the area have gone for around 55% more than ours and would have been deemed as 'not as good' as ours (size, location, garden, orientation, etc).


    If we had waited, we'd have had to pay a lot more, which we couldn't have afforded so we would have not been able to buy anything in the area. Now, the value of the house means nothing to me as we plan on staying there, hopefully, forever. We bought a home, not an investment.


    I have heard of well over 20 cases now of people having success with this approach. 2 posted on local Facebook community groups. One just went knocking on doors! The market is just insane at the moment, so it just requires getting extremely lucky.


    Hope all that makes sense, sorry, I hate typing on my phone. I usually reply to my DMs with voicenotes!



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,239 ✭✭✭Pussyhands


    Why do you have a patreon when all you do is literally get an ad on daft?

    Also why, as someone who's got a big online following, do you not know the difference between an asking price of a house and the AMV of a house entering an auction? You claimed a house went X amount above asking when it was sold in an auction, there is no asking price in an auction.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,239 ✭✭✭Pussyhands


    Please don't do that. It's exceptionally rude. "hey, I know your mam died but if you're selling, I'd be interested!"

    If someone wants to sell you their house, they'll approach you. You're basically trying to pay below market rate for it.



  • Company Representative Posts: 20 Verified rep Crazyhouseprices: Ciarán


    I think if your mortgage repayments are 30% or less of your take home pay, then that's a decent benchmark for most European cities.


    The silliest money I saw was for a house in D6 somewhere that was listed for €650k and sold for €1.35 million! My numbers could be a little off there but it was in or around double the asking price. Madness. And it needed to be completely gutted.


    I'm coming to the end of a full renovation and I never want to do it again, but for me personally, it suited us better. We couldn't afford a new build in the area we wanted, and the renovation means we can completely customise the house to suit us.



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  • Company Representative Posts: 20 Verified rep Crazyhouseprices: Ciarán




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,003 ✭✭✭handlemaster


    Hi OP. I have never heard of you . I also don't have Instagram. What is it you do. Do you comment on the housing market give qualified professional advice ?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,003 ✭✭✭handlemaster


    Thats more about estate agent tactics. There are a few like that in Dublin. Personally they put me right off when I was looking to buy.



  • Company Representative Posts: 20 Verified rep Crazyhouseprices: Ciarán


    Hi. That's ok if you've never heard of me. I don't expect people to have heard of me. Boards asked me to come on here...

    I just comment on things really and share helpful stuff I've learned along the way. I steer people towards professionals when they require professional advice.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 156 ✭✭ClaudeVercetti


    Do you really think someone is going to be that blasé in their messaging? I heard how it was done on the radio, the message was along the lines of "this is who we are and this is our circumstance, if you're ever considering selling we'd love to have a chat" - And it's not to avoid paying market rate, it's to avoid a ridiculous bidding war that drives the house price to multiples of the market rate.

    How is someone meant to approach you to sell a house if they don't know you exist? Letting them know you're out there is the goal here, not to snag a bargain from under a sellers nose.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 156 ✭✭ClaudeVercetti


    Cheers for the detailed response! Hadn't considered Facebook groups as a more indirect approach of making yourself known



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30 Maelenn


    Hi Ciarán

    we love your page! Two questions:

    1- we are civil servants and were hoping to get an exception. I saw in one of your posts that you got one with ICS, what was the process like? Do you have to tell the bank you are looking for an exception?

    2- we are considering not using a broker. What are your views of using or not a broker?

    thanks a mill!



  • Company Representative Posts: 20 Verified rep Crazyhouseprices: Ciarán


    Banks have this weird deal where they want you to go sale-agreed before telling you if you can have an exception.... It's mad. As far as I know, ICS only deal with brokers, so you can't apply directly. I could be wrong though.

    I'd recommend a broker, as they'll know if you're likely to get the exception. Our broker knew that we would get the exception, so once we did secure the house, it was fairly straightforward. They were brilliant to deal with to be honest. ICS have just increased their fixed rates by 1.2% over the last 2 months though. However, it looks like all lenders will be doing the same shortly.


    Most brokers get their fee from the lender. I did a detailed post on getting exceptions here



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30 Maelenn


    That is very informative! Thanks again



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2 cuan1234


    Gutted about ICS increasing their rates recently as we had AIP but hadn't received our loan offer. We're still thinking of going with the new interest rate, even though it's 3.55% now. Is that a very high rate in your opinion?



  • Company Representative Posts: 20 Verified rep Crazyhouseprices: Ciarán


    It's a high rate alright, especially considering we already have the highest rates in Europe. There's a handy app called "Karl's Mortgage Calculator" that can very easily run the numbers on all different interest rates for you. The CCPC and Bonkers ones are decent too.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2 cuan1234


    Thanks Ciarán, I appreciate that!



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 939 ✭✭✭The Phantom Jipper


    Not to be backseat driving, but that is a horrible rate. You would be hard pushed to find worse. Your circumstances may vary but you might be able to get something in the 2 to 2.3% range which would save you tonnes of money.

    Apologies, had to chime in, I'd hate to see someone walk themselves into that rate if they didn't need to.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,239 ✭✭✭Pussyhands


    No idea why people care what you think. All you do is repost daft ads and that somehow makes you a spokesperson or export on the Irish property market?



  • Company Representative Posts: 20 Verified rep Crazyhouseprices: Ciarán


    Jesus, man. Are you ok? Just leave if you don't care. 👍



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,239 ✭✭✭Pussyhands




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 184 ✭✭youllbemine


    Welcome to boards Ciaran!!



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22 OptiPlus


    In 12 months will Dublin 'standard' 3 bed semi detached prices be higher or lower do you think and why?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22 OptiPlus


    What is the most detailed 'blog' style you know of where first time buyers go through the full process of buying their house?

    Would prefer not to have to source it from multiple social media posts if possible.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 645 ✭✭✭rtron


    I've got 8 months left on a 2 year fixed mortgage with BOI. Could I ring them to try and get a 5 year on the same rate without too much penalty before the rates increase?



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  • Company Representative Posts: 20 Verified rep Crazyhouseprices: Ciarán


    I tend to leave this one up to the economists. I have no idea what will happen. Interest rates are going up, inflation is crazy... And if you're to believe Gov stats; they're building the most houses now since the 2008 crash.


    My opinion has always remained the same on this; if you love the home, can afford the repayments and plan on staying there long term... Then any price fluctuations up or down shouldn't impact you.



  • Company Representative Posts: 20 Verified rep Crazyhouseprices: Ciarán


    There's a great Facebook group for first time buyers that is really well moderated called 'First Time Buyers Ireland (The OG)' where people post timelines of their home purchase? Is this what you mean? Here's an example:

    "We got there eventually! We were mortgage approved through X. It was a Probate sale but worth the wait, here’s the timeline: 


    26/04/21 - Sent in application and supporting docs for mortgage

    08/06/21 - Application sent to underwriters 

    17/08/21 - Mortgage approved with X

    06/10/21 - Placed our best and final offer (blind bidding which was very stressful but worked out well for us)

    08/10/21 - Sale Agreed

    10/10/21 - Structural survey carried out, no major issues. Valuation carried out and sent to X. 

    15/10/21 - Booking deposit sent to Estate Agent

    18/11/21 - Final Loan Offer signed

    14/02/22 - Contracts received by our Solicitor

    23/02/22- Pre contract queries sent to Vendor’s Solicitor

    29/03/22 - Pre contract query answers received 

    01/04/22 - Contracts signed and remaining deposit transferred

    27/04/22 - Probate granted, Solicitor requesting funds from X

    17/05/22 - Funds sent to Vendor’s Solicitor

    20/05/22 - KEYS 🔑 🏡 


    This page was such a great resource for us. If anyone has any questions feel free to comment and we’ll help if we can 😊."



  • Company Representative Posts: 20 Verified rep Crazyhouseprices: Ciarán


    Most definitely worth a call or if I was you, I'd be shopping around for the lowest fixed rate I could get. Chances are your LTV has improved, you should be able to get a very decent rate! If there's only 8 months left, I don't imagine the penalty will be much plus there are lots of lenders that give cashback as an incentive to cover these and solicitors' costs (although I often believe cashback offers are not worth it as the rate might be higher and mathematically it makes more sense not to go with a cashback offer, but do your research!)



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,539 ✭✭✭dobman88


    Hi Ciarán, thankfully I'm one of the lucky ones who also hadn't heard of your service before this thread and your efforts to help "people who are desperately struggling" seem noble.

    But if you're in it to help desperately struggling people, why is your content behind paywall on patreon? It would seem to contradict your claim of helping people?

    I don't have an issue with you making money, you're putting time and effort in and if you can monetise that, then why not but would it not be better to be transparent and say something like I run a subscription service to show people deals on houses instead of saying you're helping desperate people?

    Cheers



  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    The hostility on this site never ceases to amaze me.

    Ciaran offers mountains of free info on Instagram. It's clear he spends hundreds of hours compiling information and developing infographics which he makes available to everyone for free. He highlights unjust practices and brings them into mainstream media.

    He's on a primary school salary and this is extra work. A few Patreon subscribers isn't going to hurt anyone and it helps him keep up the labour associated with the page.



  • Company Representative Posts: 20 Verified rep Crazyhouseprices: Ciarán


    Maybe just take 2 mins to look at my Instagram page before jumping to conclusions? All of the helpful content is on there. For free. No paywall. Example here


    The feedback from my community in members on Patreon is that they wanted to join up as a way of saying thank you for all the helpful content I put out for on Instagram. I post some extra stuff on there like podcasts with experts. The vast majority of my content is on Instagram, for free.


    I'm going to ask Niamh to shut this down now as I don't think it's being very helpful to people. I was just trying to do a favour for Boards but I'm not into the negativity.


    Cheers



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,539 ✭✭✭dobman88


    That's fair enough and i appreciate the reply.

    I did, of course, look at your Instagram before asking my questions and in your bio it states Exclusive Content and a link to Patreon so that's why it looks like things are behind a paywall to someone looking at your page for the first time.

    Appreciate the explanation. Best of luck with things.



  • Boards.ie Employee Posts: 12,597 ✭✭✭✭✭Boards.ie: Niamh
    Boards.ie Community Manager




  • Boards.ie Employee Posts: 12,597 ✭✭✭✭✭Boards.ie: Niamh
    Boards.ie Community Manager




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,294 ✭✭✭YellowFeather


    There are a lot of angry people here, Ciarán. I’m not in the market for a house, but I read the thread with interest. Fair play to you for trying to help people out, and all the best!



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