Construction levies may end to boost build of low-cost homes

Provide 15,000 homes annually, Councils to forgo €100m per year in construction levies

Under this new incentive, builders would not be required to pay levies to local authorities when they construct starter homes in Dublin and some other parts of the country, under a plan being worked on by the Irish Government. In a move to provide around 15,000 new houses and apartments annually, builders would not be required to pay the development levies in regions where there is a shortage of properties for first-time buyers.

Although the proposal is already under scrutiny in contentious pre-budget talks between the departments of finance and environment. However, there is still no agreement, as local authorities would have to forego up to €100 million in levies from builders. One suggestion is that the scheme would be confined to properties priced in the region of €300,000, with the duration of the initiative and geographic limits set in advance to direct activity towards areas with the greatest need.

Given heavy constraints on new public expenditure next year, Minister for the Environment Alan Kelly has been told to examine how funds from his current budget could be redirected to local authorities to bridge the gap.

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Rebecca KeaneProperty News, Residential

Top Tips for Selling Your Home | Keane Thompson

Top Tips for Selling Your Home | Keane Thompson

The real estate market can be a tough and confusing place, but we can make it easier with our Top Tips for Selling Your Home guide.  What’s bad for sellers can be good for buyers, and especially these days as tech savvy buyers are out in spades trying to take advantage of the buyer’s market. We have compiled 10 things you can do to help sell your home.

1. Audit your agent’s online marketing. 92% of home hunters start their search online, and they won’t come to view your home if they aren’t compelled by your online listing. In real estate terms, compelling means nice pictures. Studies have shown that listings with more than 6 pictures are twice as likely to be viewed by buyers as listings that had fewer than 6 pictures.

2. Let your neighbours choose their neighbours. If you belong to resident’s association, neighbourhood watch or online message boards, send a link to your home’s online listing to your neighbours. There is also no harm inviting your neighbours to your open house, they can bring friends, relatives or other interested parties. This creates opportunities for your neighbours to sell the neighborhood to prospective buyers, although choose them wisely.

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Rebecca KeaneKeane Thompson, Residential

Revenue targeting undervalued homes for local property tax

The Revenue is targeting homes that were undervalued for Property tax.

Dublin Property Tax Ireland

Thousands of taxpayers who hugely undervalued the price of their homes in property tax returns face being targeted by the Revenue Commissioners.

A rough estimate of 140,000 people have had their salaries or pensions reduced at the source for failing to pay the correct property tax. Revenue is targeting those who assessed the price of their property at a much lower level than the guide values issued when the tax was introduced in May 2013.

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Jana KeaneKeane Thompson, Property News, Residential

What is a BER Rating?

What is a BER Rating?

A Building Energy Rating or BER is an energy label with accompanying advisory report for homes. The rating is a simple A to G scale. A-rated homes are the most energy efficient and will tend to have the lowest energy bills. BER Cert Advisory Report A BER makes the energy performance of a home visible to prospective buyers and tenants allowing them to take energy performance into consideration in their purchase or rental decision. The Advisory Report identifies potential energy performance improvements that could lead to better comfort levels, reduced energy use and costs. A BER is valid for up to 10 years provided that there is no material change to the home that could affect the energy performance. A Provisional BER, derived from the plans for an as yet unbuilt home, has a maximum validity of 2 years.

Who needs a BER Rating?

An owner must provide a BER to prospective buyers or tenants when a home is offered for sale or rent. There are exemptions for certain building categories e.g. protected structures and temporary buildings. A homeowner must obtain a BER before a new home is occupied for the first time regardless of whether it is offered for sale or rent. BER details must be included on advertisements when a home is offered for sale or rent.

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Juliet GethinCommercial, Investment Property, Residential