Keys to Ireland 🔑: How to Buy a Home in Ireland 🍀

🎙️ Episode 1: How to Buy a Home in Ireland: A Step-by-Step Guide for Both Expats or LocalsBuying a home in Ireland in 2025 can feel overwhelming, especially if you're navigating the process for the first time. In this kickoff episode, hosts Katie and Mike break down the entire journey from saving your deposit to collecting your keys.Whether you're a local first-time buyer, a returning Irish resident, or someone moving from abroad, this episode gives you the essential roadmap to owning a home in Ireland.🍀 You’ll learn:How much you need for a deposit and how borrowing limits work in IrelandWhat supports are available for first-time buyers, like: The Help to Buy (HTB) schemeThe First Home Scheme (FHS) shared equity optionHow to get mortgage approval in principle (AIP) and why it mattersWhat "proof of funds" really means and why sellers careWhat extra costs to plan for (stamp duty, solicitor fees, surveys, BER, LPT, and more)What a solicitor (conveyancer) does, and how to find a good oneHow to use tools like Daft.ie, Sherry Fitzgerald, and mortgages.ieWhat to expect when buying new builds (snag lists, show houses, timelines, social housing allocation)How to research a neighborhood, compare real sale prices, and make a competitive offerWhy surveyors and snag lists can save you thousandsWhat to know about insurance, property registration, and getting your keysWe have gathered real-world insights from official Irish government resources, local estate agents, Reddit recommendations, and our own research into listings and support schemes all tailored to American buyers entering the Irish market for the first time.🔗 Resources mentioned in this episode:CCPC.ie - Step-by-step home buying guideFirst Home Scheme - Eligibility and infor/Cork - Solicitor recommendationsDaft.ie - Property listings in CorkMortgages.ie - First time buyer infoSherry FitzGerald - First-time buyer guide (PDF)Daft Blog - Supports for First-Time BuyersTPD Solutions - Pre-purchase surveys📑 Chapter Markers:00:00 - Introduction to Buying a Home in Ireland01:05 - Understanding Deposits and Borrowing Limits02:11 - Government Schemes for First-Time Buyers03:37 - Proof of Funds and Buyer Types04:34 - Budgeting Beyond the House Price06:24 - Navigating the Mortgage Process07:47 - Essential Paperwork and Mortgage Protection09:18 - Finding a Property Solicitor09:28 - Understanding the Role of a Solicitor09:55 - Solicitor Fees and Recommendations11:53 - House Hunting Tips for Expats14:33 - Making an Offer and Sale Agreement15:55 - Finalizing the Purchase19:13 - Recap and Final Thoughts🏡 This is Episode 1 of Keys to Ireland, a podcast for anyone looking to understand the home-buying process in Ireland for both expats and locals alike. We are here to demystify the process and share the knowledge we wish we had when we started. Hit subscribe and follow along for future episodes covering everything from picking a solicitor to what to do after move-in day. 📬 Contact us: [email protected]