Buying in Ireland from abroad, with someone on the ground working only for you
Buyer's agent in Ireland for international and returning buyers. One side only. Yours.
Who you'll be working with
Andrew Rhatigan is the founder of Rhatigan Real Estate, a PSRA-licensed buyer's agency in Dublin. He represents international buyers, relocating executives and returning Irish purchasing property in Ireland.
PSRA licensed (004287)
Buying property in Ireland from abroad? Do any of these sound familiar?
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01
Time zones
You're five to eight hours away from Ireland, so new listings, viewings and bids happen while you're asleep or in meetings.
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02
The portals
Daft.ie and MyHome.ie show you what's listed, but not what it means: which homes are close to sale agreed, which are priced to start a bidding war, and which sell before most buyers notice them.
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03
Asking prices
In Ireland the asking price is often a starting point rather than the final figure, so it's hard to know what a home is really worth or what it will take to secure it.
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04
The process
The Irish process works differently from what you may know: open bidding, a “sale agreed” that isn't legally binding, and contracts that come late in the process.
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05
Not being here
Irish property runs on relationships. When you're overseas, nobody on the ground gets the measure of you, and your offer can carry less weight than a buyer who's been in the room.
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06
The right area
You may be weighing places like Kerry and Killiney without a real sense of how different daily life is in each: the commute, schools, community, and how far you'll be from Dublin and the airport.
These aren't separate problems. They're what happens when you buy in a relationship-driven market from a distance.
Why buying in Ireland from abroad is harder than it looks
Every buyer arrives with a mental file of how property works where they live now. It's natural to apply it to Ireland, but the Irish market has its own rhythm and unwritten rules, and they're hard to read from a portal or a news headline.
Assumptions
Where most buyers start
- Reading Irish listings the way you would at home
- Treating the asking price as a guide to the final price
- Choosing an area from a map, a reputation or a brochure
The cost of learning on the job
What it often leads to
- Flights booked for homes that are gone on arrival
- Offers made without a real sense of value
- Months lost to a search that keeps resetting
- A purchase that doesn't suit how you actually live, and has to be undone
Translated, not just transacted
What changes with the right advisor
- Your needs are worked through before the search begins: family, schools, commute, space and lifestyle
- You read the market in real time, through someone who is in it every day
- You're represented in person, so the people on the other side know who you are
- Surveys, solicitors and every step to completion are coordinated for you
What a good purchase looks like
The right home, in the right area, chosen with clarity rather than in a hurry. And when you arrive, you're already connected to people who share your interests, your industry or your part of the country, so you're building a life in Ireland, not just buying a house.
Book a briefing callEvery sale has its own weighting
No two sellers want the same thing. For one, it's the best price. For another, it's time. For another, it's a smooth move into what comes next. Every sale has its own motivations and personalities, and the Irish market rewards understanding them. Finding that weighting is how we secure the best result for each client.
€1.75m
to €3.5m
purchases (around $2m to $3.9m*)
On-market and off-market
homes secured
As few as two trips
to Ireland
Clients from abroad
New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Florida, Singapore and the UK
When the home was never listed
US buyers relocating to south Dublin.
Secured off-market, through a discreet conversation with an owner who had quietly considered selling.
Many of the best homes in Ireland change hands through conversations, not listings.
When the seller needed certainty
Buyers who began searching from Wexford to Waterford, and bought in coastal Dublin.
€150,000 under the asking price (around $168,000*).
The highest offer doesn't always win. A serious, represented buyer who can move at the right pace can carry more weight.
When the seller needed time
A competitive purchase where price alone wouldn't decide it.
Over €200,000 saved for our clients (around $224,000*), with a handover that suited the sellers.
Sometimes the most valuable thing you can offer a seller is time to say goodbye.
“My husband and I live in the US and Andrew was a game changer. He found us a hidden gem we would never have found on our own.”
Sharon M., Google review
“We live in Singapore and had looked for a long time. Andrew attended viewings, negotiated, and made the experience completely hassle-free.”
Lee S., Google review
“Cool, calm, and collected in a complex Dublin sellers market. Thanks to his negotiation skills, we secured the perfect home.”
Allan B., Google review
Client and property details are kept private. Every result here is shared with permission. *US dollar figures are estimates and subject to exchange rate fluctuation.
- Buyer's Agent of the Year, National Property Awards 2026
- Presented to the Oireachtas Committee on Property Market Reform
- Lecturer, Buying Agency Masterclass
- PSRA licensed (004287)
Andrew Rhatigan, Founder and Buyer's Agent
“Someone once introduced me to a new contact and explained that our meeting had nothing to do with real estate. That's when I knew the message was getting through.”
Property has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. My father was a developer, and I grew up on building sites, with builders, plumbers and plasterers around our kitchen table. Without realising it, I was learning that the best property decisions are built on relationships.
I studied psychology, have worked in property for over a decade, and founded Rhatigan Real Estate to fill a gap: buyers needed an advocate who worked only for them, and who was honest enough to say no when that was the right answer.
Everyone's version of winning is different. My job is to understand yours, not to hand you someone else's template. We keep things discreet, meet people where they are, and aim to be part of a client's world long before they buy and long after. Many come to us first for anything to do with Ireland. If we can't help, we'll connect them with someone who can.
Book a briefing callChoose your path
Free property buying course
Learn for free from Andrew how to save time, money and stress when buying a home in Ireland.
Start the free course →The Property Blueprint™
A one-to-one online session with Andrew to get a clear plan for buying property in Ireland.
Learn about the Blueprint →Full concierge service
Andrew acts as your buyer's agent and manages the process from search to completion.
Book a briefing callPractical guides for buyers
All guides and resources →What Do a Survey, BER & Title Check Tell You Before You Buy in Ireland?
What each check uncovers, and the watch-outs to know before you make an offer.
Moving Back to Ireland: Buying Guide for Returning Irish
What returning Irish buyers need to know before they start searching.
How Long Does It Take to Buy a House in Ireland?
What to expect from first search to closing, and why it often takes longer than international buyers expect.
Questions buyers ask
Can Americans buy property in Ireland without residency or citizenship?
Yes. Americans can buy property in Ireland without residency or citizenship. Owning a home does not give you the right to live in Ireland long term, so many of our US clients buy while they arrange visas or plan their move. We guide them through the financial, legal and relocation steps.
Do I need to travel to Ireland to buy property, or can I manage the process remotely?
You can buy property in Ireland without being there in person, for example by appointing a solicitor with power of attorney. Many of our international clients buy remotely. We preview homes, provide virtual tours and negotiate for them while their solicitor manages the contracts.
What is the difference between an estate agent and a buyer's agent in Ireland?
An estate agent is hired and paid by the seller, and works to get the best result for the seller. A buyer's agent is hired by the buyer and works only for the buyer. At Rhatigan Real Estate we act for buyers only. We find and assess homes, advise on value and negotiate for you, and we have no obligation to the selling agent or the seller.
What taxes or fees should I expect when purchasing a home in Ireland?
The main cost is Stamp Duty. On residential property it is 1% on the first €1,000,000, 2% on the portion between €1,000,000 and €1,500,000, and 6% on any amount above €1,500,000. You should also budget for solicitor fees, survey costs and registration charges. International buyers may need a PPS number and advice on inheritance or capital gains tax. Rates can change, so your solicitor will confirm the figures for your purchase. We connect clients with specialist tax and legal advisors so the full cost is clear before you commit.
How long does it typically take to purchase a home in Ireland?
It can take anywhere from six weeks to eight months. The time depends on how quickly the right home is found, how the purchase is financed, the legal checks and the type of property. We coordinate solicitors, sellers and surveyors at each stage, which helps keep the purchase moving. Our guide to how long buying takes goes through each stage.
How do you charge for your services?
Rhatigan Real Estate charges a clear fee for buyer representation, agreed with you in advance. It is not a seller's commission, so our interests stay aligned with yours. The fee depends on the scope of the search and is confirmed upfront, so you know the cost before we start.
Shut The Front Door
Buying property in Ireland, from the buyer's side. By Andrew Rhatigan.
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Book your initial briefing call with Andrew Rhatigan
A 15 to 20-minute conversation about what you want to achieve and your timeline. We'll tell you honestly whether we're the right fit. No pressure.
Book a briefing callPrefer to write? Email jennifer@rre.ie