Unsurprisingly, industry coverage is low as all the broadsheets today are dominated by local and European election reporting, speculation and commentary. I will not get stuck into this today as the final results are not yet known, however, I will say that the prevailing housing crisis did not impact the voting as much as was predicted despite the protests last weekend. The term ‘Green Wave’ is pretty accurate and highlights the electorate’s overwhelming priority (Newstalk this morning asks if this is “middle class guilt?”).
Also, Ronan Group Real Estate has taken a bold advertising stand across most of the print media today (pictured above) – realistically, it’s an important message with a terrible hashtag!
If you missed last week’s round-up, 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:
- Unemployment rate revised sharply lower to 4.6% – CSO https://www.rte.ie/amp/1050766/
- Interesting – might we see this with AHBs in Ireland? ‘Housing association buys house builder to boost construction’
http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2019/05/23/housing-association-buys-house-builder-to-speed-up-construction/
- PlaceTech | The changing role of…estate agents: “We recently sold a flat where someone saw it on Instagram and put an offer in within 24 hours. This is a key way of finding buyers for us, the high-quality photos that go up appeal to our younger clients and make them want to engage with us” #proptech
https://placetech.net/analysis/the-changing-role-of-estate-agents/
- Reimagining Capital Projects: Podcast Series https://www.pwc.co.uk/industries/capital-projects-infrastructure/insights/reimagining-capital-projects-podcast-series.html
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 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. Produced by Katie Tallon of Hear Me Roar Media.
In part 1, co-hosts Carol Tallon and Bryan Fox are joined in studio by estate agents Joanne Lavelle, director of Michael Lavelle Estate Agents in Louth and Damien Ward, managing director of MMWARD Estate Agents and Property Consultants in Kildare to discuss the residential market outside of Dublin. In part 2, we are joined by Emma Hayes, head of New Media & PR for Property District to explain how real estate businesses can sell the story of their business and their properties/new developments to potential clients. In part 3, Natalie Ryan Business Development Coordinator of CPAS and Susan O’Mara Financial Services Consultant at Milestone Advisory joined us to discuss pensions for the construction industry.
Listen back here: https://anchor.fm/ipropertyradio/episodes/Property-Matters–May-22nd–2019-e441a1
*Listen back to all #PropertyMatters episodes here: https://anchor.fm/ipropertyradio
Email the Property Matters team at hello@iPropertyRadio.com
PLACEMAKING
Public Consultation and Community Engagement
- Kildare to see 4,000 homes get fast-track planning approval https://amp.independent.ie/business/commercial-property/kildare-to-see-4000-homes-get-fasttrack-planning-approval-38138844.html
- ‘You can’t ignore it’: BusConnects a crux issue in south Dublin https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/you-can-t-ignore-it-busconnects-a-crux-issue-in-south-dublin-1.3900730?mode=amp
- Britain’s biggest co-living company closes deal for site in Dublin’s historic Liberties region: A deal to buy the site closed on Friday and is set to be developed in the next two years.
https://www.thejournal.ie/british-coliving-comapny-setting-up-in-dublin-4649212-May2019/ https://www.thejournal.ie/british-coliving-comapny-setting-up-in-dublin-4649212-May2019/?amp=1
- Matthew Weiner: Regeneration with purpose – U+I #placemaking
https://www.uandiplc.com/news-and-views/matthew-weiner-regeneration-with-purpose/
*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
- Fine Gael TD, and Chair of the Housing Committee, Maria Bailey features on the front page of the Sunday Independent and The Sunday Times as she confirms that she has instructed her solicitors to withdraw her personal injuries controversial claim against the Dean Hotel.
- On page 8 of the Independent today, Wayne O’Connor reports that more than 200 homes worth more than €1 million were sold in the first quarter of 2019.
- Coliving continues to make headlines. Michael Cogley, writing in the Sunday Independent today, interviews Bruno Haid, CEO of global coliving provider Roam. The CEO expresses his view that the way coliving has been implemented in Ireland is “wrong”.
- Similarly, Valerie Flynn takes up the mantle in The Sunday Times on page 4, where Fine Gael TD Colm Brophy has become the latest voice of criticism and opposition to Bartra’s proposed coliving development in Tallaght.
- In The Sunday Business Post, Collen Construction MD Tommy Drumm is profiled in People in Business (page 25). He attributes the company’s financial success since the recovery to data centres, having delivered €2.5bn worth since 2010.
- In the Money & Finance section of the SBP, Jill Kerby has an excellent feature that will definitely hit home: ‘A reality check for the boomerang generation: If we are ever to get back to attainable home ownership for young people to avoid moving back in with Mum and Dad, urgent changes are needed’.
- Also in the SBP: The newly passed Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill, which will come into effect on July 1st, 2019, is step to end “amateur hour” for landlords; and Marian Finnegan, chief economist at Sherry FitzGerald has called time on “emotive language” like ‘cuckoo’ or ‘vulture’ funds as such descriptions are neither accurate nor helpful.
- Potential landmark mortgage arrears case struck out https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/potential-landmark-mortgage-arrears-case-struck-out-1.3903451?mode=amp
- Bill to regulate rent pressure zone properties passes through Seanad https://www.thejournal.ie/residential-tenancies-bill-seanad-4646133-May2019/?amp=1
- Fixing for longer may push up mortgage bills, report warns https://amp.independent.ie/business/personal-finance/property-mortgages/fixing-for-longer-may-push-up-mortgage-bills-report-warns-38146807.html
- Budget proposal – buy your first home without saving for a deposit https://www.irishtimes.com/business/personal-finance/budget-proposal-buy-your-first-home-without-saving-for-a-deposit-1.3901844?mode=amp
- The new way to deal with mortgage debt https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/homes-and-property/the-new-way-to-deal-with-mortgage-debt-1.3902063?mode=amp
- How Housing Supply Became the Most Controversial Issue in Urbanism https://www.citylab.com/design/2019/05/residential-zoning-code-density-storper-rodriguez-pose-data/590050/
- Unpaid rent, destroyed properties: Landlords’ tales from the rental market https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/homes-and-property/unpaid-rent-destroyed-properties-landlords-tales-from-the-rental-market-1.3899675?mode=amp
- Will private capital solve the social housing crisis? https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2019/05/20/will-private-capital-solve-social-housing-crisis/amp/
- Planning granted for €100m redevelopment of Cork shopping centre https://amp.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/planning-granted-for-100m-redevelopment-of-cork-shopping-centre-925712.html
- Aspiring first-time buyer? Tips on saving for a home deposit https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/personalfinance/aspiring-first-time-buyer-tips-on-saving-for-a-home-deposit/ar-AABFwKw?li=AA64tF
- Big news: Co-living company buys McKillen Fumbally site for about €10.5m https://www.irishtimes.com/business/commercial-property/co-living-company-buys-mckillen-fumbally-site-for-about-10-5m-1.3898326?mode=amp
- Developer says owners must pay to fix defects in Dublin 8 apartment block https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/developer-says-owners-must-pay-to-fix-defects-in-dublin-8-apartment-block-1.3899861?mode=amp
- Johnny Ronan appeal to Taoiseach on tower height falls on deaf ears https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/homes-and-property/johnny-ronan-appeal-to-taoiseach-on-tower-height-falls-on-deaf-ears-1.3901185?mode=amp
- Singapore investor to acquire Dublin docks office scheme for €240m https://www.irishtimes.com/business/commercial-property/singapore-investor-to-acquire-dublin-docks-office-scheme-for-240m-1.3903657?mode=amp
- 257-bed student housing complex on site of historical bakery in Dublin’s north inner city given green light
https://www.thejournal.ie/student-accommodation-dublin-city-centre-4650138-May2019/ https://www.thejournal.ie/student-accommodation-dublin-city-centre-4650138-May2019/?amp=1
- Echelon to build two €500m data centres in Clondalkin and Arklow https://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/irish-company-echelon-to-build-two-500m-data-centres-in-clondalkin-and-arklow-1.3775989?mode=amp
- Construction works begin on €325 million WuXi Biologics Dundalk facility https://amp.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/business/construction-works-begin-on-325-million-wuxi-biologics-dundalk-facility-925987.html
- Why architecture and construction? Recruiters struggle to fill vacant roles https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/why-architecture-and-construction-recruiters-struggle-to-fill-vacant-roles-1.3887743?mode=amp
- Digger dropped down shaft at super sewer site | Construction Enquirer https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2019/05/24/digger-dropped-down-shaft-at-tideway-site/
The Agile Agent
Getting Ireland’s Property Marketplace Digital by Default
The Agile Agent is a 12-month digital transformation programme for independent Irish estate agents and auctioneers, which runs from September – August. This programme will be delivered by a multi-disciplinary Irish and UK team and will go beyond proptech adoption to help agents get their industry digital by default.
Q3. March – May 2019 Agile Agent check-in now available HERE:
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 INNOVATORS and 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/
- Excellent read for every CEO and VC board member! ‘What I learned as a VC filling in as a startup CEO for 4 months’ https://venturebeat.com/2019/05/19/what-i-learned-as-a-vc-filling-in-as-a-startup-ceo-for-4-months/amp/
- Q&A with Ben Liao, Managing Director of the Colliers Proptech Accelerator Powered by Techstars – CRETECH https://www.cretech.com/michael-beckerman/qa-with-ben-liao-managing-director-of-the-colliers-proptech-accelerator-powered-by-techstars/
- How modular construction is changing commercial real estate https://www.us.jll.com/en/trends-and-insights/cities/how-modular-construction-is-changing-commercial-real-estate?utm_source=Linkedin&utm_medium=Social&utm_content=2320517276&utm_campaign=BRANDAM+-+PDS+Brand+Socialbuildings-and-construction
- To mark Blockchain Week in Ireland, the Sunday Business Post has an advertising feature, including a look at how blockchain technologies have the potential to revolutionise contracts for the transfer and lease of real estate.
- Many estate agencies at risk over data security, claims IT firm https://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2019/5/many-estate-agencies-at-risk-over-data-security-claims-it-firm
- Real Estate Decision Software Company Occupier Raises $1.4 Million https://pulse2.com/occupier-raises-1-4-million/amp/
- Ikea invests in Livspace, a one-stop platform for interior design based in India – TechCrunch https://techcrunch.com/2019/05/20/livspace-ikea/amp/
- How the U.K. forged a path to global BIM standards https://archpaper.com/2019/05/global-bim-standards-building-information-modeling/
- Innovation Nation Edition 2019 – IoT Review with Ronan Furlong https://m.soundcloud.com/techireland/innovation-nation-edition-2019-iot-review-with-ronan-furlong
- Trending Technologies: The Roadmap To AI In Proptech https://www.forbes.com/sites/garybarker/2019/05/22/trending-technologies-the-roadmap-to-ai-in-proptech/#507c76315d06
- Multi-brand PropTech group targets students ‘through rental cycle’
https://www.lettingagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2019/5/multi-brand-proptech-group-wants-to-help-clients-through-rental-cycle
- Why Autodesk Just Spent $1.15 Billion On Two Construction Tech Startups https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexkonrad/2018/12/20/why-autodesk-just-spent-115-billion-on-two-construction-tech-startups/amp/?__twitter_impression=true
- PropTech platform claims to charge ‘less than half of a letting agent’
https://www.lettingagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2019/5/proptech-platform-claims-to-charge-less-than-half-of-a-letting-agent?source=newsticker
- LAB Miami Ventures launches $50M proptech fund; Open English CEO appointed Endeavor Miami co-chair – South Florida Business Journal https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2019/05/24/ventures-05-24-2019.html
- Finnish PropTech startup Kodit.io raises €12 million gives homeowners a stress-free way to quickly sell their homes for a fair price | EU-Startups https://www.eu-startups.com/2019/05/finnish-proptech-startup-kodit-io-raises-e12-million-gives-homeowners-a-stress-free-way-to-quickly-sell-their-homes-for-a-fair-price/
- In Proptech, Infrastructure is Key | GlobeSt https://www.globest.com/2019/05/23/in-proptech-infrastructure-is-key/?slreturn=20190424153810
- PiLabs’ Seventh PropTech Startup Cohort Pitches For Funding During Demo Day https://www.forbes.com/sites/angelicakrystledonati/2019/05/23/pilabs-seventh-proptech-startup-cohort-pitches-for-funding-during-demo-day/#70cab8874aa3
- PlaceTech | Baum becomes expert advisor to AI firm Proda
https://placetech.net/news/baum-becomes-expert-advisor-to-ai-firm-proda/
New Facebook Group for Irish Property Buyers & Investors
Crowd-sourcing answers topical property questions:
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/