Local appointments to top real estate group

CHARTERED surveyors from Tallaght and Lucan have been appointed to the board of national estate agency group Real Estate Alliance (REA).

Anthony McGee of REA McGee in Tallaght, and Barry McDonald of REA McDonald in Lucan, were appointed at REA’s AGM in Dungarvan last week.

Frank Daly, Chairman of NAMA, addressed the AGM on a discussion focused on the current housing supply shortage.

REA is a leading property group of chartered surveyors with over 55 branches nationwide, comprising of established auctioneers and estate agents.

REA members report a marked increase in sales activity across the country, with the biggest rise in activity in smaller urban towns where deposit requirements are not as significant.

“Throughout the country, our agents are seeing a definite rise in enquiries, with demand increasing further in quarter four,” said Anthony McGee.

“Our REA Average House Price survey saw the average three-bed semi rise above €200,000 in our Quarter Three survey – this level of return is now providing as a catalyst to get dormant.

McGee feels Central Bank mortgage deposit rules did not hit the country market as hard as the larger cities, and builders are looking for development land for the first time in eight years.

This is echoed by McDonald: “As well as available finance having a major impact on housing supply, a second hurdle is the provision of serviced land.

“Although buyers are now more plentiful on the ground, the problem of supply remains.”

REA welcome the recent announcement by Minister for Housing Simon Coveney to fast-track the delivery of 30,000 new homes in urban centres across the country, and favour land holdings being identified for potential development.