Frequently Asked Questions

Questions to consider when buying a home in Ireland

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 €1,500,000

    • solicitor 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

When to consider using a buying agent rather than a traditional estate agent.

When to consider using a buying agent rather than a traditional estate agent.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

When Choosing Andrew Rhatigan & Rhatigan Real Estate For Your Next Home.