If you missed last week’s Sunday Property Round-Up, which was full of industry and tech/innovation news, you can catch up here: https://propertydistrict.ie/category/sunday-property-review/
Before we get stuck into the general property news of the week, below are a few local and international stories that might be of particular interest…
- ‘Impact of Immersive Technologies on Construction’: CitA Technology Trend Event – 3rd April 2019 https://www.cita.ie/events/cita-technology-trend-event-april-2019/
- Richard Curran: ‘Property’s new big boys want to get their message across’ https://amp.independent.ie/business/personal-finance/property-mortgages/richard-curran-propertys-new-big-boys-want-to-get-their-message-across-37958270.html
- Minister Donohoe launches review of procurement policy for public works projects | | Irish Building Magazine.ie | Ireland’s Leading Construction News & Information Portal https://www.irishbuildingmagazine.ie/2019/03/25/minister-donohoe-launches-review-of-procurement-policy-for-public-works-projects/amp/?__twitter_impression=true
- Government helping vulture funds push citizens out of homes – UN https://m.independent.ie/business/personal-finance/government-helping-vulture-funds-push-citizens-out-of-homes-un-37955106.html
- Ireland likened to tax haven in report accepted in EU https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2019/0326/1038812-ireland-european-report/
- Roofing materials cartel busted https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/roofing-materials-cartel-busted
- Property values in London tumble at fastest rate in a decade https://m.independent.ie/business/brexit/property-values-in-london-tumble-at-fastest-rate-in-a-decade-37963162.html
- I’m obsessed with property websites. I’m not buying – this is pure escapism | Hannah Jane Parkinson https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/mar/29/i-am-obsessed-with-property-websites-im-not-buying-this-is-pure-escapism
- Silicon Valley tech pours another $10 million into housing crisis https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/03/29/silicon-valley-tech-pours-another-10-million-into-housing-crisis/amp/
- Half of babies born (in the UK) to families renting https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/education-47723672
As always, you might let me know if I have missed out on any relevant property news by emailing carol@caroltallon.com.
(Apologies in advance for any typos, it’s difficult to get good help on a Sunday. Also, I use voice to text dictation so just sound out anything that really doesn’t make sense in a strong rural accent and that should help!)
Sunday Listen: #PropertyMatters
#PropertyMatters Ireland’s First Weekly Property Radio Show (& Podcast!):
Ireland’s first weekly property radio show, Property Matters, launched In January 2019 on Dublin South FM 93.9 and is now available internationally via iTunes and Spotify podcast (@iPropertyRadio). Seasoned political journalist and broadcaster, Bryan Fox, and I (Carol Tallon) team up to deliver 60 minutes of industry chat with guests from the areas of planning, construction, property and proptech.
This week we were joined by Shane O’Callaghan of Casey Kennedy Estate Agents; Paul Mitchell of Mitchell McDermott Construction Consultants and Angelica Donati, proptech contributor to Forbes and partner at Concrete VC.
*Listen back here: https://anchor.fm/ipropertyradio/episodes/Property-Matters–March-26th-2019-e3ioj2
*Listen back to all #PropertyMatters episodes here: https://anchor.fm/ipropertyradio
Email the Property Matters team at hello@iPropertyRadio.com
The Home Show – Episode 4 | Newstalk
We brought the #Proptech conversation into the Newstalk studio this week to discuss all things technology for the planning, construction and property industries in Ireland. We also talk about on-line bidding platforms for home buyers and sellers (from 32 minutes):
Listen back here: https://www.newstalk.com/podcasts/the-home-show-with-sinead-ryan/home-show-episode-4
PLACEMAKING
Public Consultation and Community Engagement
- A look back: ‘Planners are trying to engage with us and we have a duty to join the conversation’
https://www.thejournal.ie/readme/planners-are-trying-to-engage-with-us-and-we-have-a-duty-to-join-the-conversation-3339409-Apr2017/
- The Connaught Telegraph – Welcome for Historic Towns Initiative in Ballina https://www.con-telegraph.ie/news/roundup/articles/2019/03/20/4171290-welcome-for-historic-towns-initiative-in-ballina/
- Expansion plan for out-of-town Limerick shopping centre rejected – Limerick Leader https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/371785/expansion-plan-for-out-of-town-limerick-shopping-centre-rejected.html
- ‘Significant boost’: Ireland’s ‘undiscovered’ towns to receive €15m tourism fund https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/significant-boost-irelands-undiscovered-towns-to-receive-15m-tourism-fund-37955124.html
- ‘It’s going to be our little paradise’: can co-ops solve the housing crisis? https://amp.theguardian.com/society/2019/mar/27/can-co-ops-solve-the-housing-crisis
- South Dublin council drops plans for Traveller housing in Mount Merrion https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/south-dublin-council-drops-plans-for-traveller-housing-in-mount-merrion-1.3842243?mode=amp
- An Bord Pleanála refuses planning permission for Bishoptown housing estate https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/an-bord-pleanala-refuses-planning-permission-for-bishoptown-housing-estate-913964.html
- ‘This is a victory for social housing’ – Agency hopes to begin filling Leeside Apartments next week https://amp.breakingnews.ie/ireland/this-is-a-victory-for-social-housing-agency-hopes-to-begin-filling-leeside-apartments-next-week-914101.html
- New plan lodged for ex-gaelscoil site by Túath Housing https://m.independent.ie/regionals/corkman/news/new-plan-lodged-for-exgaelscoil-site-37957986.html
- Residents surprised by plans to demolish duplexes https://www.rte.ie/news/dublin/2019/0329/1039403-metrolink/
- Locals concerned over plans to build 299 apartments in blocks of up to 9 storeys in Glasnevin https://www.thejournal.ie/apartments-glasnevin-4565839-Mar2019/
- On the front page of The Sunday Business Post today (linking to page 12), the face of obstructionism and vested interests killing the development of much-needed new homes and infrastructure: ‘Meet [one of] Ireland’s serial objector: The man now challenging Supermac’s Pat McDonagh (Liam Madden)’
- On page 13 of The Sunday Business Post, Stephen Kinsella has an excellent feature on urban planning: ‘Ireland is a bit odd in terms of the distribution of its population. Our urban hierarchy is odd not because Dublin is so big, but because our other cities are so small. Reports about spatial planning have worried about this for nearly 50 years.’
- Self-interest put above the common good #NIMBY
“A meeting attended by around 500 people last week heard that those plans are now in shreds. An Bord Pleanála has refused permission, following an appeal in which two objections persisted.”
https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/views/columnists/self-interest-put-above-the-common-good-914272.html
*PLACEengage: The future of speedy, successful placemaking for property developers is here – Property developers and project owners ready Public Consultation are encouraged to contact the PLACEengage team for full details*
Other Property News
- The most insightful coverage of the persistent housing crisis across the broadsheets today is in the Sunday Independent, in particular, page 6 of the main news section. Conor Skehan asks the question ‘But what would a successful housing policy look like?’ Ronan Lyons advises, again, that more homes are needed and Wayne O’Connor asks the most obvious question: ‘Affordability, availability… why do we do housing so badly?’ https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/affordability-availability-why-do-we-do-housing-so-badly-37967559.html
- The lead business story in the Independent is by Michael Cogley and reports that ‘Nama sold 90pc of loans to US private equity, UN claims’. This refers to the story I have linked to in the opening paragraph above.
- The same journalist reports that Glenveagh is likely to exceed its sales targets for 2019 having hit 75% in the first three months of the year.
- In the same paper, Samantha McCaughren writes that the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, or ISIF, is to invest €35 million into a new fund to develop quality office space in Cork.
- In the Business & Money section of The Irish Times today, the lead stories include: Derek Quinlan faces bankruptcy petition (in the UK); US funds engineer blockbuster bids on DIT Kevin Street (with Chartered Land, Ronan Group REal Estate & Core Capital, Ballymore, Oaktree and Hines all in the mix); and IBRC wrest control of Indian office Q City from Quinn family.
- Also in the Times today, Gavin Daly reports that talks between Tetrarch and Starwood on a joint venture worth hundreds of millions have ended without agreement.
- The same journalist reports that Park Developments is planning to build 210 apartments in Killiney on a 3.75 acre site at Church Road/Churchview Road.
- Inthe property section of the SBP, Donal Buckley writes about the data centre sector. I covered this last week in the context of the National Construction Summit and the most recent Host in Ireland report. For those with an interest in delving into this numbers further, Garry Connolly of Host in Ireland will be joining the Property Matters team next Tuesday from 6pm. Be sure to listen in!
- Median asking price for new home sales is €271k nationally and €380k in Dublin
That’s according to the latest residential property price report from MyHome.ie.
https://www.thejournal.ie/average-asking-prices-ireland-2019-4565236-Mar2019/?amp=1
- Two more areas become Rent Pressure Zones as rent prices continue to rise https://www.thejournal.ie/rent-pressure-zones-new-limerick-navan-4563908-Mar2019/
- ESRI cuts growth forecast, AIB warns optimism falling https://www.rte.ie/news/2019/0327/1038843-esri_economy_aib/
- In news the Housing Minister describes as ‘Deeply shocking’: There are now a combined total of 10,264 people homeless and living in emergency accommodation in Ireland, a significant rise of 277 people from January.
https://www.thejournal.ie/10000-homeless-people-4564120-Mar2019/
- Rise in number of new mortgage approvals in February https://www.rte.ie/amp/1039073/
- Rents rise nationally by 7%, signs rate slowing – RTB https://www.rte.ie/amp/1039066/
- Fewer than 1pc of homeowners switch mortgages https://m.independent.ie/business/personal-finance/property-mortgages/fewer-than-1pc-of-homeowners-switch-mortgages-37946915.html
- Hundreds of affordable rental homes for south Dublin https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/hundreds-of-affordable-rental-homes-for-south-dublin-1.3839526?mode=amp
- Property prices in Dublin drop in first quarter of 2019 https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/property-prices-in-dublin-drop-in-first-quarter-of-2019-913085.html
- Big freeze in house prices blamed on Central Bank rules ‘stifling the market’ https://amp.independent.ie/business/personal-finance/property-mortgages/big-freeze-in-house-prices-blamed-on-central-bank-rules-stifling-the-market-37946912.html
- ‘A national scandal’ – Government defends housing record as minister says ‘we need more landlords’ https://www.thejournal.ie/eoghan-murphy-homelessness-4564503-Mar2019/
- What sold for €525k in D4, Dundrum, Leopardstown and Lucan https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/homes-and-property/what-sold-for-525k-in-d4-dundrum-leopardstown-and-lucan-1.3833998?mode=amp
- Lenders say law ‘will push up mortgage lending rates’ https://amp.independent.ie/business/personal-finance/property-mortgages/lenders-say-law-will-push-up-mortgage-lending-rates-37953866.html
- How many ways to “NO”?: Should TDs have say in regulating mortgage market? https://www.rte.ie/amp/1039479/
- Finance Ireland grows profit by 27% after record new lending https://www.irishtimes.com/business/financial-services/finance-ireland-grows-profit-by-27-after-record-new-lending-1.3837007?mode=amp
- Couple received €40,000 after insurer tried to reject storm damage claim https://www.thejournal.ie/financial-services-ombudsman-4565449-Mar2019/
- Asset manager Trium Capital to establish Dublin hub https://www.irishtimes.com/business/financial-services/asset-manager-trium-capital-to-establish-dublin-hub-1.3836920?mode=amp
- Glenveagh to sell 118 properties to Ires Reit for €38m https://www.irishtimes.com/business/glenveagh-to-sell-118-properties-to-ires-reit-for-38m-1.3837645?mode=amp
- HAP stopped for 650 tenants due to falling into arrears https://www.rte.ie/news/2019/0324/1038267-hap-stopped-for-650-tenants-due-to-falling-into-arrears/
- Any tax loopholes used by vulture funds won’t be closed down until the autumn, says Taoiseach https://www.thejournal.ie/any-tax-loopholes-used-by-vulture-funds-wont-be-closed-down-until-the-autumn-says-taoiseach-4557845-Mar2019/
- Council justification for emergency powers in question over housing delays https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/council-justification-for-emergency-powers-in-question-over-housing-delays-1.3837205?mode=amp
- Dublin City Council refuses permission for Airbnb-style lets in city centre https://www.irishtimes.com/business/transport-and-tourism/dublin-city-council-refuses-permission-for-airbnb-style-lets-in-city-centre-1.3843369?mode=amp
- Ashford Castle owners to turn Dublin direct provision centre into 5-star hotel https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/travel/ashford-castle-owners-to-turn-dublin-direct-provision-centre-into-5-star-hotel-1.3838092?mode=amp
- Historic Dublin bakery faces demolition for student scheme https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/historic-dublin-bakery-faces-demolition-for-student-scheme-1.3837119?mode=amp
- Price of development sites steadies as build costs bite https://amp.independent.ie/business/commercial-property/price-of-development-sites-steadies-as-build-costs-bite-37958276.html
- NTA expected to confirm planned Metrolink will terminate at Charlemont stop https://www.thejournal.ie/nta-metrolink-charlemont-4561058-Mar2019/
- Cork City Council in ‘process of engagement’ with BAM over rubble mound https://amp.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/cork-city-council-in-process-of-engagement-with-bam-over-rubble-mound-913414.html
- Second wind-farm firm enters land dispute https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/business/second-wind-farm-firm-enters-land-dispute-913260.html
- Accenture expands footprint in Dublin with 1,300sq m lease https://www.irishtimes.com/business/commercial-property/accenture-expands-footprint-in-dublin-with-1-300sq-m-lease-1.3838910?mode=amp
- €10m social housing plan for former company HQ in Cork https://amp.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/10m-social-housing-plan-for-former-company-hq-in-cork-913645.html
- Fashion retailer Laura Ashley trades Cork city for suburbs https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/property/fashion-retailer-laura-ashley-trades-cork-city-for-suburbs-913655.html
- CBRE appoints Kyle Rothwell as head of investment properties https://www.irishtimes.com/business/commercial-property/cbre-appoints-kyle-rothwell-as-head-of-investment-properties-1.3837707?mode=amp
- WKN real estate directors acquire company from founder https://www.irishtimes.com/business/commercial-property/wkn-real-estate-directors-acquire-company-from-founder-1.3843396?mode=amp
Agile Agent – Digital Transformation for Independent Estate Agents
To get involved and for free Proptech Prompts, please
Proptech and Construction Innovation
- Are you an Irish-led or Ireland-based #proptech business? If so, please take five minutes to add or update your details to our internationally-shared listing here: SIGN UP: PROPTECH INNOVATORSand to keep up-to-date on all things tech and innovation for the planning, construction and property industries, head over to http://www.prop-tech.ie. Also, we are on a mission to get every Irish construction and property technology business registered on the global proptech database UNISSU. More details here:https://prop-tech.ie/global-proptech-data-platform-unissu-com-is-launched/
- ‘Impact of Immersive Technologies on Construction’: CitA Technology Trend Event – 3rd April 2019 https://www.cita.ie/events/cita-technology-trend-event-april-2019/
- Augmented Reality for Property Development Blog Post http://mersus.ie/augmented-reality-property-development/
- MortgageHippo Launches New Proptech Integration with HouseCanary https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mortgagehippo-launches-new-proptech-integration-with-housecanary-300816325.html
- Czech proptech firm Spaceti, named MIPIM Start-up of the Year, makes ‘smart buildings’ smarter | Radio Prague https://www.radio.cz/en/section/business/czech-proptech-firm-spaceti-named-mipim-start-up-of-the-year-makes-smart-buildings-smarter
- How digital tools can speed up planning and deliver homes
https://futurecities.catapult.org.uk/2019/03/22/blog-how-digital-tools-can-speed-up-planning-and-deliver-homes/
- 5 Expert Tips for B2B PropTech Sales https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/5-expert-tips-b2b-proptech-sales-taylor-wescoatt
- Built Robotics’ massive construction excavator drives itself https://techcrunch.com/2019/03/29/built-robotics-massive-construction-excavator-drives-itself/amp/
- Leading U.S. Multifamily Service Proptech Startup Closes Series B Round https://www.forbes.com/sites/angelicakrystledonati/2019/03/27/leading-us-multifamily-service-proptech-startup-closes-series-b-round/#1b2b1967677a
- PropTech Today: Nationwide proves that collaboration is worth the risk … https://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2019/3/proptech-today-nationwide-proves-that-collaboration-is-worth-the-risk?source=newsticker
- How can agents keep property transactions on track?… https://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/features/2019/3/how-can-agents-keep-property-transactions-on-track
- PropTech platform teams up with deposit alternative provider https://www.lettingagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2019/3/proptech-platform-teams-up-with-deposit-alternative-provider?source=newsticker
- Real-estate players tapping proptech to boost customer experience, Real Estate – THE BUSINESS TIMES https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/real-estate-players-tapping-proptech-to-boost-customer-experience
- Agents must hammer home buy-to-let benefits https://www.lettingagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2019/3/agents-must-hammer-home-buy-to-let-benefits-says-proptech-chief?source=newsticker
- PlaceTech | 22 ways the UK is creating a #proptech powerhouse https://placetech.net/analysis/22-ways-the-uk-is-creating-a-proptech-powerhouse/
- Built Robotics’ massive construction excavator drives itself https://techcrunch.com/2019/03/29/built-robotics-massive-construction-excavator-drives-itself/
Crowd-sourcing answers topical property questions: New Facebook Group for Irish Property Buyers & Investors
As many of you might know, my annual property book The Irish Property Buyers’ Handbook (since 2011) was rebranded in 2018 and will now appear as part of The Property Insider series, published by Oak Tree Press, the first three titles are now published and available here.
From 2019, the publishers and I want to ensure the content remains topical and we are doing this by crowd-sourcing home buyer and investor queries, with crowd-sourced and editorial team answers. Join the Facebook Group here to contribute: https://www.facebook.com/groups/IrishPropertyBuyers/