Frequently Asked Questions
Questions to consider when buying a home in Ireland
What are the steps to buying a home in Ireland as an international buyer?
The key steps to buying a home in Ireland are securing funds, engaging a solicitor, and completing contracts through to closing. For international buyers, this includes proof of funds, property search, negotiation, and legal due diligence. Unlike some countries, Ireland does have strict age limits for mortgage applicants. International buyers need to apply for a Personal Public Service number as well. At Rhatigan Real Estate, we manage introductions to trusted solicitors, tax advisors, and financial partners, while curating properties and handling negotiations so the process is smooth from first viewing to keys in hand.
Can Americans buy property in Ireland without residency or citizenship?
Yes. Americans can freely buy property in Ireland without needing residency or citizenship. Ownership, however, does not provide a right to live in Ireland long-term. Many of our US clients purchase while arranging visas or relocating, and we guide them through the financial, legal, and relocation steps to make the move stress-free.
What taxes or fees should I expect when purchasing a home in Ireland?
Buyers in Ireland typically pay Stamp Duty
(Stamp Duty on Residential Property (Ireland, 2024/25)
1% on the first €1,000,000
2% on the portion between €1,000,001 – €1,500,000
6% on any amount above €1,500,000solicitor fees, survey costs, and registration charges. International buyers may also need tax registration (PPS number) and advice on inheritance or capital gains. We connect clients with specialist tax and legal advisors to ensure full clarity on all costs before purchase.
Which areas in Dublin are most popular with expats and international families?
South Dublin suburbs like Foxrock, Blackrock, Monkstown, Ballsbridge, Ranelagh, and Dalkey, along with Howth, Malahide, Castleknock are among the most popular with expats and international families. These areas combine premium homes, strong schools, and excellent transport links. At Rhatigan Real Estate, we curate neighbourhood options around lifestyle needs, whether it be city-centre convenience to coastal family living.
What is the difference between buying a new-build vs. a second-hand home in Ireland?
New-builds give you modern design, top energy ratings, and warranty cover, but they’re often in newer developments with limited supply in prime locations. Second-hand homes typically offer more character, mature settings, and space for your money, though they may need updating. The key is understanding the supply dynamics and the type of developments available, knowing where stock is genuinely moving (and where it isn’t) is what helps avoid wasted time and missed opportunities. That’s where our guidance makes the difference.
How long does it typically take to purchase a home in Ireland?
Buying a home in Ireland can take anywhere from six weeks to 8 months. The process depends on sourcing, financing, legal checks, and the property type. With our end-to-end management, many clients complete faster because we anticipate issues and coordinate each stage between solicitors, sellers, and surveyors
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 physically present by appointing a solicitor with power of attorney. Many of our international clients purchase remotely, relying on us to preview homes, provide virtual tours, and represent them in negotiations while their solicitor manages contracts.
What are the common mistakes international buyers make when purchasing in Ireland?
The most common mistakes are starting without clear criteria, misunderstanding local area dynamics, poor choice of solicitor, relying on friends or family for subjective advice, being indecisive, and assuming Ireland works the same as their home market.
Buyers who are not specific about what they want waste time chasing unsuitable properties. A lack of knowledge about neighbourhood dynamics can lead to poor location choices. Asking friends or family to advise on areas or properties often produces biased or inconsistent guidance. Indecision or a poor choice of solicitor causes buyers to miss opportunities in a competitive market. Finally, many people apply assumptions from their home country rather than being curious about how Ireland’s process differs, which leads to costly misunderstandings.
At Rhatigan Real Estate, we address these risks by helping clients define their needs early, sharing deep local insight, guiding them to suitable professional partners, and creating a structured process that keeps decisions focused and timely.
Considering using a buying agent rather than a traditional estate agent.
What’s the difference between an estate agent and a buyer’s agent in Ireland?
An estate agent is paid by the seller and is incentivised to achieve the highest price for their client, while Rhatigan Real Estate works only for the buyer. We are not commission-driven and have no obligation to do a deal with a selling agent. Our sole focus is protecting the buyer’s interests, securing the right property, and negotiating the best outcome.
Why should I use a buyer-focused property advisory instead of searching on sites like Daft.ie or MyHome.ie?
Searching on property sites like Daft.ie or MyHome.ie makes you just another enquiry in the queue, with no guarantee of priority or insight into the real status of a property. Many listings are already under offer, unlikely to sell, or priced unrealistically. Rhatigan Real Estate knows which homes are genuinely for sale, which owners are likely to move, and what represents fair value. We also provide access to off-market properties that never appear online. This means we focus only on opportunities that are real, achievable, and aligned with your goals, saving you time and avoiding disappointment.
Can Rhatigan Real Estate provide access to off-market or private sale homes?
Yes. Because we are independent and act only for buyers, we have access to off-market and private properties that never appear on property websites. This gives our clients early and often exclusive opportunities to secure premium homes ahead of the wider market.
How much time can a property advisory service save me compared to searching myself?
A buyer advisory typically saves over 100 hours a month including viewing, and negotiating. More importantly, it saves buyers from wasted effort on unsuitable properties or deals that do not serve their interests. With Rhatigan Real Estate, every step is focused solely on your outcome rather than on closing a quick commission.
Does Rhatigan Real Estate work with clients relocating from the US or other countries?
Yes. Many of our clients are based overseas, especially in the United States and Asia, and we guide them through every step of the Irish buying process. Because we are buyer-only, our advice is impartial, professional, and designed to give international clients confidence in an unfamiliar market.
What kind of clients typically work with Rhatigan Real Estate?
We work with international buyers, returning expats, executives relocating to Ireland, and high-net-worth individuals who want an advocate in the market. These clients choose us because they value impartial advice, access to opportunities beyond the normal property sites, and representation that is not commission-driven.
How does Rhatigan Real Estate ensure discretion and confidentiality for high-net-worth buyers?
Discretion is central to everything we do. When you work with Rhatigan Real Estate, we focus exclusively on your needs. If you’re searching for a specific property, we will not represent competing clients with the same criteria. This exclusivity ensures that your search is private and that our advice is tailored solely to you.
We take confidentiality seriously: everything shared with us remains strictly between you and our team. Whether it’s personal circumstances, family matters, or sensitive financial considerations, our clients can trust that their information is handled with the utmost care. For off-market or highly private properties, we also place clear expectations on anyone with access to the information, ensuring that your privacy and sellers information is protected at every step.
Can you help with legal, tax, and financing considerations during the buying process?
Yes. We can introduce clients to trusted solicitors, tax specialists, and financing professionals. We coordinate closely with them so buyers get expert guidance in every area, while we remain focused on the property search and negotiation.
Do you assist with schools, relocation, and lifestyle integration for families moving to Ireland?
Yes we focus on assisting buyers with their entire lifestyle integration to ensure they are getting the right property. From the right schools for the right needs, facilitating the lifestyle buyers want and helping them integrate into the networks in Ireland they want to flourish in, Andrew and the team will make this a key component of the service we provide.
Choosing Andrew Rhatigan & Rhatigan Real Estate For Your Next Home.
What is your process for working with a new client from consultation to keys?
When you reach out to us, we start with a quick call to understand exactly what you’re looking for, budget, location, lifestyle needs. From there, some clients choose a more detailed 90-minute Property Blueprint session where we get crystal clear on your criteria. If you choose to engage in our full service, we’ll search for properties that meet your requirements, handle all negotiations, and guide you through the purchase, all with your privacy and exclusivity in mind. Once you’ve secured your property, we can even provide advice on management, renting, resale, or exit strategies.
How do you charge for your services — is it a fixed fee, commission, or success-based?
Rhatigan Real Estate charges a clear and agreed fee for buyer representation, not a seller’s commission. This ensures we are fully aligned with the buyer’s interests and not incentivised to push a deal for commission. Fees are tailored to the scope of the search and confirmed upfront so clients have certainty.
Do you only work in Dublin, or can you source homes in other parts of Ireland?
We work nationwide. While Dublin and its surrounding counties are frequent focal points, we regularly support clients in sourcing homes and properties right across Ireland. Whether it’s a city residence, a coastal retreat, a countryside estate, or an investment opportunity, we draw on our network and local expertise to deliver the right fit wherever your priorities lie.
How quickly can you usually find and close on a property for a client?
Many clients secure and close on their property within 6 to 20 weeks. Timelines depend on the market, property type, and legal process, but our structured approach and local insight often shorten the search and reduce delays
Can you represent me in negotiations and bidding wars?
Yes, negotiation is a core part of our service. We act only for the buyer, so our role is to secure the best price and terms possible. In bidding situations, we manage strategy and communications to keep emotions in check and ensure the buyer does not overpay.
How do you identify properties that aren’t listed publicly?
We identify off-market properties through direct relationships with agents, solicitors, and homeowners. Because we represent serious, qualified buyers, we are often offered opportunities privately before they reach the open market. This gives our clients a critical advantage.
Can you help me manage my property after purchase (renting, exit strategies, resale)?
Yes. We provide guidance on property management, tenant services, and exit strategies for resale. While we focus on acquisition, we can also connect clients with trusted partners for ongoing management and advise on timing and strategy for maximising value at sale.
What do past clients say about their experience working with you?
Past clients consistently say that working with Rhatigan Real Estate gave them confidence, clarity, and better results than they could have achieved alone. Here are just a sample of some of our verified reviews on google.
“Andrew exceeded our expectations in every way. His market knowledge, negotiation skills, and constant updates made buying from overseas smooth and stress-free.”
Were there a higher grade than 5 stars I would not hesitate to award them to Andrew Rhatigan. If I have one regret it's that I wasn't aware of his services earlier as I would have saved myself not only time but a lot of stress as well.
“The Jerry McGuire of Real Estate
How do I start the process — what’s the first step?
The first step is to book a consultation with Andrew Rhatigan. In this session we define your priorities, explain the process, and create a plan tailored to your needs. From there, we handle the property search, negotiations, and transaction so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.