Brendan Burgess: How the State takes on first-time buyers in Ireland s costly housing market
If the government really wants to help first-time buyers, it could start by incentivising builders to build starter homes instead of building very expensive homes
Brendan Burgess says the State could help those trying to buy a home by reversing the advantages that investors have over first-time buyers.
Sun, 16 May, 2021 - 14:59
Brendan Burgess
Let s imagine you are a 30-year old couple, working in teaching and nursing, and you want to buy a house.
To save on rent, you moved back with your parents and have managed, somehow, to put together €50,000. The bank will lend you €300,000.
19.25 28 Apr 2021
Brendan Burgess, founder of Askaboutmoney.com, joined Kieran to discuss the findings of a new survey from Bonkers.ie. The survey shows that over 50% of respondents would be in favour of making it easier for lenders to repossess homes when repayments are in arrears, as it would mean lower interest rates on mortgages overall.
Joe Walsh Tours closure / The changing mortgage market
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37:53
After more than sixty years in business here, Irish travel agent Joe Walsh Tours has announced it has ceased trading. The well known tour operator cited Ireland’s strict travel restrictions as one of the main reasons behind the closure. Irish Times Consumer Affairs correspondent Conor Pope and CEO of Irish Travel Agents Association Pat Dawson join Ciaran Hancock to discuss the shock move, the uncertain future for tour operators and travel agents and their expectations for overseas travel in 2021.
Exit of KBC and Ulster Bank leaves others to hike rates Mortgage market must be more attractive to foreign lenders
about an hour ago
A KBC Bank branch in Dublin city centre. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
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The exit of KBC Bank from Ireland will be a huge blow for their customers and their mortgage customers in particular. KBC’s rates were the lowest in the Irish market. Now they are selling their mortgage book to Bank of Ireland which has the highest mortgage rates.
Louis Fitzgeraldâs pub grouppaid a private investigator to arrange for a 17-year old to buy alcohol in one of its bars in a move that led to the dismissal of one of its workers, Labour Court documents show. Mr Fitzgeraldâs company is appealing an earlier finding at the Work Relations Commission in relation to the dismissal of the employee. Barry OâHalloran has the details of the case.
Brexit triggered a major reduction in cargo volumes at Dublin Port in the first quarter of this year. The Dublin Port Company said trade volumes fell by 15.2 per cent in the first three months of 2021. Eoin Burke-Kennedy examines the numbers.