Buyers

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Buying a Home

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Buying a Home

Buying a home is one of the most important financial decisions you’ll ever make. To help you through the process, here’s a clear guide outlining each stage — from budgeting to closing the sale.

1. Find Out What You Can Afford

Before you start house hunting, take time to review your finances.
Work out how much you can comfortably afford in monthly mortgage repayments, and ensure your budget also covers all related costs, such as:

• Mortgage and valuation fees
• Legal and conveyancing fees
• Home insurance
• Stamp duty

Having a clear budget will help you focus on properties within your price range and avoid financial strain later on.

2. Appoint a Solicitor

Once you begin searching for a property, it’s important to hire a solicitor to manage the conveyancing — the legal process of transferring property ownership.
Your solicitor will:

• Review and prepare all legal documents
• Conduct property searches
• Handle payments such as stamp duty
• Ensure the title is transferred correctly

3. Find the Right Property

You can search for properties through:

• Estate agents and auctioneers
• Online property websites
• Local listings and advertisements Make sure any property you consider suits both your needs and your budget.

4. Get a Property Survey

Before finalizing the purchase, arrange a professional survey of the property.
A seller is not legally required to disclose defects, so a survey will help identify any structural or maintenance issues that could affect your decision or future costs.

5. Understand How Properties Are Sold

Properties in Ireland are generally sold by one of two methods:

Private Treaty

A private treaty sale happens through direct negotiation between the buyer and the seller (or their agents). The price and conditions are agreed privately, and the sale proceeds once both parties are satisfied.

Public Auction

uctions are publicly advertised — often through estate agents, newspapers, or signs on the property.
A reserve price is set (the minimum the seller will accept). The highest bidder above this amount wins the property.

6. Stamp Duty

Your solicitor will calculate the stamp duty due on your property and request payment before closing the sale.
The payment is made to the Revenue Commissioners, who will stamp the deeds as proof that the tax has been paid.

7. After the Sale: Registering Your Deeds

When the sale is completed, your solicitor will ensure the property deeds — showing your ownership details — are registered with either:

• The Registry of Deeds, or
• The Land Registry, depending on the type of property.

8. Signing the Contract for Sale

The Contract for Sale legally binds both you and the seller to complete the transaction.
If you decide to withdraw from the purchase after signing, you may lose your deposit, so make sure you are fully satisfied before signing.

9. Closing the Sale

Before completion, your solicitor will raise a standard set of queries with the seller’s solicitor known as Requisitions on Title.
These questions confirm key details such as:

• Ownership and boundaries
• Fixtures and fittings included in the sale
• Any remaining charges or conditions on the property

Once these matters are resolved, the Deed of Conveyance is prepared and the property ownership is officially transferred to you.

Congratulations — You’re Now a Homeowner!

With all legal and financial steps completed, your new property is officially yours.
Your solicitor will provide you with a copy of the registered title and other important documents for safekeeping.

Note: This is a Guideline only and all property transactions may differ, so please consult with a professional legal representative who will clarify before staring your journey on The Home buying process.