Welcome to the Frequently Asked Questions page for Town & Country Real Estate, your go-to resource for clear, straightforward answers to common property questions in Ireland.
Whether you’re buying, selling or letting a home, navigating the Irish property market can raise a lot of queries. From understanding the steps involved in a property transaction to practical insights about valuations and energy ratings, this page offers our expert guidance to help you make informed decisions with confidence throughout your real estate journey.
If you don’t see an answer to your question below, you can send us your query here and we’d be happy to answer it.
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Selling your Property FAQs
Buying Property in Ireland as a US or Canadian Buyer
Selling Your Property
Selling your home or property is a big decision, and it’s completely natural to have questions. Below, we’ve answered the most common questions our clients ask when preparing to sell. If you don’t see your question here, feel free to contact us — we’re always happy to help.
Your property’s value depends on several factors, including location, size, condition, layout, recent comparable sales, and current market demand.
At Town & Country Real Estate, we provide accurate, real-time, data-driven property valuations, combining detailed local market knowledge with live buyer demand to determine a realistic and achievable asking price.
The time it takes to sell depends on several factors, including:
- Price
- Location
- Property type (for example, bungalows often sell faster than two-storey homes)
- Presentation (a clean, fresh, well-maintained home sells faster)
- Current market conditions
In today’s market, many well-priced and well-presented properties attract strong interest within 2–4 weeks, although some properties may take longer depending on demand and complexity.
Typical selling costs may include:
- Estate agent fees (usually between 1% and 2% of the final sale price – always ask for a written quote and confirm if any additional fees apply)
- Solicitor / conveyancing fees
- BER Certificate (typically €300–€500, depending on the provider)
- Marketing costs – we do not charge any. If you don’t sell, you don’t pay.
We provide clear, transparent pricing upfront, so there are no surprises later.
Not all renovations add value. In most cases, minor cosmetic improvements such as fresh paint, decluttering, good lighting, and small repairs provide the best return on investment.
We offer honest, tailored advice on what’s worth doing — and what isn’t — helping you avoid unnecessary expense while maximising your sale price.
Key factors in achieving the highest possible price include:
- Correct pricing strategy (working with your estate agent — that’s why you hire us!)
- Professional-grade photography, video & online property tours
- Strong digital marketing
- Expert staging and presentation advice
- Strategic buyer targeting
Our proven marketing strategy is designed to create competition, generate strong interest, and achieve the best possible price for your property.
We use a comprehensive multi-channel marketing strategy, including:
- Professional-grade photography & digital property tours
- Floor plans
- Targeted social media advertising across multiple platforms
- Major Irish property portals
- Our extensive qualified buyer database
- Email marketing campaigns
This ensures your property receives maximum exposure locally, nationally, and internationally.
Typical documents include:
- Title deeds
- BER certificate
- Planning permission documentation for any extensions or alterations
- Property maps and boundary details
- Septic tank compliance documentation (for rural properties)
We guide you step-by-step through the entire paperwork process, ensuring a smooth and stress-free sale.
The typical selling process includes:
- Property valuation
- Strategy meeting to discuss pricing and marketing
- Professional-grade photography & listing preparation
- Viewings & negotiations
- Sale agreed
- Legal process & closing
The legal process is often the longest stage. If everything is in order, we can complete in as little as 40 days, but if issues arise (such as planning queries), it may take up to 10 weeks.
We manage the entire process from start to finish, keeping you informed at every stage.
Once sale agreed:
- We forward full buyer and seller details to both solicitors
- Contracts are issued
- The buyer arranges inspections, surveys & finance
- Solicitors resolve all final queries
- A closing date is agreed and the countdown begins
Typically, this stage takes 6–10 weeks, depending on circumstances.
Yes, but it can be challenging, and timing is critical.
We help coordinate sale and purchase timelines, minimise risk, avoid bridging loans (which are often difficult to secure), and ensure the smoothest possible transition.
At Town & Country Real Estate we combine:
- Strong local, national & international market knowledge
- Premium marketing strategies (with a foundation in business & commerce)
- Personal, client-focused service
- Clear, transparent communication
- Proven results
Our goal is simple: to make selling your property stress-free, profitable, and seamless.
Buying Property in Ireland as a US or Canadian Buyer
If you’re based in the United States or Canada and considering buying property in Ireland, you’ll be pleased to know that foreign nationals can freely purchase Irish property — but the buying process is very different from North America.
I know this all to well as I’m from North America and a licensed real estate agent on BOTH sides of the pond!
This guide explains exactly how buying property in Ireland works, what to expect at each stage, and how to avoid the most common (and costly) mistakes international buyers make.
Yes. There are no restrictions on foreign ownership of property in Ireland.
US and Canadian citizens can buy residential, commercial, and rural property without special permission.However:
- Buying property does not give residency or visa rights
- Immigration status is completely separate from property ownership
No. Owning a home in Ireland does not automatically grant:
- Residency
- The right to work
- Citizenship
If you plan to live in Ireland long-term, you must meet Irish immigration requirements separately.Here is our Step-by-Step guide to how the Irish property buying process works:
1. Preparation & Budgeting
Before viewing properties, international buyers should:
- Define the purpose (holiday home, relocation, retirement, investment)
- Set a realistic all-in budget (purchase price + approx. 5–7% costs)
- Appoint:
- An estate agent *** fun fact, there aren’t really buyer agents in Ireland. In most cases, a specific agent works for a specific seller, and the buyer is left to their own devices. There are estate agents that will take on buyers via a contract and assist them, however, and this is what you should look to do; otherwise you will be bouncing around from property to property with different agents representing each one- never really developing any rapport with anyone; that scenario could drag on forever!
- An Irish solicitor (essential from the outset).
- If borrowing:
- Apply for mortgage approval in principle
- Arrange:
- Currency transfer strategy; I like Currencies Direct and have used them myself in the past.
- Independent surveyor / engineer
Tip: Irish banks typically require larger deposits from non-residents and apply stricter affordability checks.
2. Property Viewings & Making an Offer
- Properties can be viewed in person or via video walkthrough
- Offers are made through the estate agent usually in writing (via email)
- Offers are not legally binding
- Price negotiations can continue until contracts are signed
Once accepted, the property is marked “Sale Agreed” and a 5% deposit is paid to the estate agent. This deposit is fully refundable if, for some reason, the sale does not complete.
⚠️ At this stage, either party can still withdraw (you are correct if you are thinking to yourself, this is bizarre! There is currently very little accountability involved from either party (sellers or purchasers). Either party can “pull out” before contracts are signed… it can be very volatile and this is why it’s absolutely essential to have an estate agent represent you, to put you in the best position possible at every stage of the transaction.
3. Legal Due Diligence (Conveyancing)
This is where Ireland differs most from the US & Canada.
Your solicitor will:
- Investigate legal title
- Review:
- Planning permissions
- Compliance with building regulations
- Rights of way & access
- Boundaries and land registry maps
- Raise legal queries with the seller’s solicitor
You should:
- Commission a structural survey
- Finalise mortgage approval *if applicable
- Arrange property insurance
⏱️ This stage typically takes 4–8 weeks.
4. Signing Contracts & Paying the Deposit
Once all legal checks are complete:
- Contracts are signed
- Deposit is paid to the solicitor (usually 10%, less booking deposit)
- The sale then becomes legally binding FINALLY!
- Completion date is agreed
After this point, withdrawing usually means losing your deposit
5. Closing Day (Completion)
On completion day:
- Balance of funds is transferred
- Legal documents are exchanged
- Keys are released
- Ownership transfers to you
Your solicitor will:
- Pay stamp duty
- Register ownership with the Land Registry
Typical Timeline for International Buyers
Stage & Approximate Time:
Preparation – 2–6 weeks
Offer to Sale Agreed – 1–4 weeks
Legal Process – 4–8 weeks
Closing – 1 day
Total Average: 8–14 weeksCosts & Taxes You Should Budget For
International buyers should allow for:
- Stamp duty (generally 1% on residential up to €1m)
- Legal fees
- Survey & Engineer reports
- Property insurance
- Currency transfer fees
- Local Property Tax (ongoing)
If renting:
- Irish income tax obligations apply to non-resident landlords
Mortgages for Non-Residents
If you require financing:
- Expect higher deposit requirements (often 30%+)
- Overseas income may be discounted
- Fewer lenders available
- Longer approval timelines
Many international buyers choose to buy without a mortgage or refinance later.
Rural Irish property often involves:
- Older buildings
- Extensions without historic planning permission
- Septic tanks & private water supplies (drilled wells)
- Access rights over neighbouring land
These are not deal-breakers, but they must be checked properly.Yes. Many international purchases are completed:
- Via courier or electronic signing
- With virtual viewings
- Without the buyer ever being physically present
The key is working with experienced and ethical professionals.
- Assuming “sale agreed” means legally binding. Contracts signed by BOTH parties is when a deal becomes legally binding.
- Underestimating legal timelines; typically A LOT longer than in North America (6-10 weeks minimum, which is what we STRIVE for at O’Callaghan Town and Country Real Estate, but it would not be unusual for it to take 4-6 months if a planning or title issue was encountered).
- Skipping a full survey. Get it and be in the know!
- Not planning for currency fluctuations; international buyers should keep a watchful eye on the Euro vs. American/ Canadian dollar.
- Using non-Irish solicitors. DO NOT do this under any circumstances.
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