Why We Don’t Trust Estate Agents

Estate agents sit at the very bottom of the national trust rankings. On today’s podcast, Tara Duggan asks why. Are estate agents being unfairly blamed for a dysfunctional market? Or are some long-standing practices inside the industry contributing to mistrust, price inflation, and buyer frustration? The average home in Ireland now costs eight times the average income. One in five homes sell for 20% above the asking price, and just 22% of buyers say they trust estate agents, according to the CCPC. With only 13,000 homes for sale nationally, competition is intense and emotions run high. Tara speaks first to Ronan Crinion, founder and managing director of MoveHome, about licensing, transparency, and why his industry gets such a bad rap. What’s myth, what’s fact, and what really happens behind the scenes when bids start rolling in? Then she’s joined by Ciarán Mulqueen of Crazy House Prices, a man who spends every day fielding messages from buyers who feel confused, stressed, and sometimes misled. He explains how asking prices are set, whether “phantom bidders” are actually possible under current regulations, and what buyers can do to put themselves in the strongest position. If you’ve had your own home-buying horror story — or a positive experience with an estate agent who restored your faith — we’d love to hear from you. Email [email protected].