At Home with Breffnie

Are you thinking about buying a property in Dublin? Wondering about renovation costs, common issues like damp and subsidence, or how to maximise resale value? In this episode, Breffnie O’Kelly, Buyer’s Agent, sits down with Shay Lally of Houses to Restore to share expert insights on Dublin’s property market.   📌 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ The benefits of buying in the city vs the count...

Get the inside story on Irish country house purchases in this week’s podcast as we look at the transaction from the inside out with Philip Guckian, SCSI, Associate Director of Sherry Fitz, Country Homes and Estates You might have seen Philip making lots of sense and being a brilliant agent on the recent RTE series of Selling Ireland’s Dream Homes? If there’s one thing that becomes crystal clear du...

Do you really know what you're buying? Let's talk property boundaries If you’re buying a country house in Ireland, you’ll almost certainly be buying an acre or several acres of land around that house.   Most buyers have no difficulty comprehending the size and extent of the house they are buying, but the extent of the land can be trickier to understand.   It’s the land part of your purchase that w...

Today we’re looking at your house purchase from a legal perspective. Your offer has been accepted on a property… you’re excited, maybe a bit nervous and you’re starting to make plans. Yes, you’re right to feel thrilled that your property search has got to this important stage but there is a bit more plot left in this saga yet!  Enter, centre stage, your solicitor.  It’s your solicitor who will dir...

In episode 2 of our series on Buying a Country Home in Ireland, Breffnie chats with Colleen about her move from America to Ireland. At first, Colleen was in California just browsing properties online and thinking about a move, next she considered different European countries before deciding on Ireland as a destination. And then... Colleen arrives in Ireland for the first time to set about purchasi...

Anyone can buy a property in Ireland, but does buying a property entitle you to Irish residency or a visa?   If you’ve been thinking about buying property in Ireland, retiring to Ireland or even spending a couple of weeks in Ireland, it’s highly likely that you’ve wondered about any legal or visa hurdles you may need to jump. Well, it’s these types of questions that we’re discussing in this week’s...

Breffnie follows up with Karin from episode 58 who was searching for a countryside home.  Since they last talked lots of progress has been made. In fact, Karin and Connor have since moved and are now enjoying country life!  Find out how the search went, where they are now and how they are getting on post midlife countryside move....

Ready and waiting for a new life in the country? The unlikely fairy godmother  called Covid, might just make your dreams come true.  This week we are joined by my city dwelling bee keeping, vegetable growing friend, Karin Stierle, about how this odd time has proved the catalyst for a move out of town.  We look at the delicate choreography of selling one home to finance another and getting the timi...

Inspired by a recent conversation with a client about which of two properties they should bid on, I've outlined 8 ways in which the site of a property can be compromised  to such an extent that I would be reluctant to buy it eg. steep slopes, presence of water, "over built" site etc.    I always welcome feedback. Get in touch! To book a one hour property coaching call with Breffnie, click here: ht...

Living abroad and need finance to buy a property in Ireland? Then you won't want to miss this conversation with Niall Coughlan, Senior mortgage advisor with Irish Mortgage Corporation. Niall is expert in helping Irish abroad get home loans in Ireland. Key take aways from this podcast episode are: you'll need a minimum deposit of 35%,  the maximum loan term is 25 years,  your loan approval will be...

53. And now for something completely different! This week I am joined by a CLIENT!  for a change. Erika Bernath, Austrian Consul in Dublin, joins me today to talk about her experience of finding a home in Dublin using me as her property finder.  It transpires that this was the first time in 27 years of moving from country to country that she actually had found and signed a lease on a suitable prop...

 All of us in the property business, whether as agents, buyers, or sellers, spend a lot of time chasing or waiting for information. Robert Hoban, estate agent, holder of a law degree and  co founder of Offr.io joins us in today's podcast to tell us why he created Offr.io and just how it works to stream line the whole property sale and purchase process. Having had a good look at this product, espec...

51. Are we ready for Keller Williams in Ireland?  Fresh from reading The Millionaire Estate Agent by Gary Keller, founder of  Keller Williams, the largest real estate agency in the world, I think we might be! In this episode I'm joined by Paul Allen, Regional Operating Principal with Keller Williams Ireland,  who discusses how software can help the agent keep every vendor viewer and buyer within t...

50. When you're looking for a new home, do you consider buing a new build? If like me, you're someone who may have automatically ruled out buying a new build on the basis that you're just not a new build kind of person, then you definitely don't want to miss this conversation with the charming and thoughtful Ronan Mc Kenna, sales director of Glenveagh PLC. who explains the goal that Glenveagh has...

This week I'm joined by interior designer Anne Tuohy of www.roomjunkie.com  . I've asked Anne to talk us about how to look at a prospective property using the eyes of an interior designer. Anne shares great tips on orientation (south and west facing to the rear are best), how to add light into a home, light  laminates or large light coloured tiles on floors, glazed internal doors, light reflective...

Podcasts, books, boxsets.....there are so many ways we can flesh out our understanding of the property buying and interior design process. This week Breffnie outlines a collection of books, podcasts and programmes that she loves and consults regularly. The podcasts and programmes are free and the books are well worth the money you'll spend. The collection includes:  1. At home with Breffnie and ww...

This is an episode for people who know what it is to have property related problems. So if you've borrowed too much to buy property, or have unresolved property issues, then my conversation with Joe Doyle property entreprenur and business coach for tradesmen of   www.joedoyle.ie,  should give you hope, courage and resolve. Joe has lived through the full journey of  property boom to nearly bust and...

To franchise or not to franchise? In this week's episode, Martin O'Connor of DNG in Moycullen talks about his story of how he got into auctioneering and how he made the decision to become a franchise member of DNG, rather than choosing to go solo. If you have an interest in real estate and have ever considered pursuing a career in this path, this week's podcast is for you; and a great opportunity...

Location, location, location....what exactly do property people  mean by this phrase? This week I take a big picture look at the subject and show how "one location does not fit all"... just because it's a good location does not necessarily mean it's the right location for you!  Book a call with Breffnie: https://calendly.com/breffnieokelly/  

This week's episode talks about all the tips and tricks to make your first time buying a house as smooth and easy as possible, how to make the process less daunting, and how to pick a house that's right for you. Book a call with Breffnie: https://calendly.com/breffnieokelly/  

Straight talking, clear thinking and no messing this week with property developer and accountant Catherine Brennan. Catherine talks us through her roller coaster property journey from big boom time portfolio through the down turn and back to property in a wiser, more prudent way. Essential listening for anyone who's been through dark property times and wants to get back into property. Catherine's...

This month, my two worlds collide, that of estate agency and that of mindfulness.  I talk to a friend Johnny Marcelin about a recent 10 day silent retreat he felt the urge to do, and how it has helped him feel more at home in his body and in his house.    Book a call with Breffnie: https://calendly.com/breffnieokelly/  

During the boom I bought property, rennovated it  and sold it on for a  profit.  I also bought property with no clear strategy and that proved to be a disaster. Right now I'm looking afresh at the whole business of making money out of property and am starting off with this "ladybird" guide.  Thanks for listening!   Book a call with Breffnie: https://calendly.com/breffnieokelly/  

  Ever look in an estate agent's window while on holidays?  I do!  This time however,  I screwed up my courage and actually stepped inside. I was very grateful that Eduardo Teixeira da Cunha  of Chestertons Estate agents in Porto, Portugal, took time to talk to me about the business of property purchasing in Portugal.... he also shared a fair bit of his philosophy too! If you'd like to contact Edu...