county waterford

Inspections are a key part of managing a tenancy so it’s imperative that landlords get them right. Here are some top tips to ensure landlords don’t miss a thing. A two-minute read.

We’ve all heard horror stories about nightmare tenants who cause huge amounts of damage to a rental property, leaving the landlord up to their neck in repair bills and legal costs. Or maintenance issues that were left and became problematic.

Thankfully, there are ways landlords can minimise these risks and one key strategy is to conduct regular inspections.

How much of what you know about estate agents is really true? This three-minute read exposes a few common urban […]

Buying a home comes with a lot of dreams, needs and wants, but there’s another consideration, too – budget. Whether you’re taking your first step on the property ladder or moving on to bigger and better things, how can you make every euro count?

Maximising your budget might seem impossible; after all, a downstairs toilet is a must, and you’ve always hoped for a driveway and south-facing garden. But are these wants and desires preventing you from finding something you can actually afford?

Like everything else in life, buying a property needs a bit of compromise. You don’t have to bin your dreams of a garage or home office; you just need to think outside the box.

In this quick read, we look at ways to maximise your budget and get the home you’ve always wanted.

Homebuyers are heavily influenced by what they see, smell and hear, so here’s a guide to ensuring your property appeals to their senses.

Did you know that when it comes to impressing a buyer, you have just half a minute to make your property stand out?

Yes, you read that right. Most buyers decide if a property is the one for them in the first 30 seconds of a viewing.

So, with so much at stake in that short time, how do you make a good impression? Read on to find out.

Will your next home improvement project end in success or a desperate call to professional tradespeople? Here are five tips to help your DIY project run smoothly.

Repairing and refurbishing your own home can be immensely satisfying – and save you lots of money. But not every DIY task finishes well.

From crooked countertops to terrible tiles and dodgy driveways, it’s amazing how – even with the best intentions – things can go wrong.

The last two years have been hectic for the Waterford property market.

But now, the market is normalising, and homes are not selling as fast as they once were.

It’s also becoming harder to sell a home for a premium price.

Add to that the cost of living crisis and other global events hitting us in our collective pockets.

The good news is it’s still possible to achieve an excellent price for your home if the estate agent working with you knows how.

Taking that first step on the property ladder is simultaneously exciting and terrifying. No matter how old you are, buying your first property will make you feel like a proper grown-up.

Before you even find the right property, there’s lots to learn, so in this quick read, we’ve pulled together our top five tips for first-time buyers.

Find out how you can impress buyers by making each room in your home look as spacious as possible. A two-minute read.

Whether you’re marketing a one-bedroom apartment or a seven-bedroom mansion, the same rule usually applies – big is beautiful.

We’re talking about big rooms, of course! It’s well known that a home that feels spacious will always get a higher price than a similar property that comes across as cramped and crowded.

This two-minute read looks at how to ensure your home appeals to buyers looking for a family home.

When it comes to devising a marketing strategy to sell your home, the first step is establishing your target buyer.

For example, if you’re selling a slick, minimalist penthouse studio, there’s no prizes for guessing that your target will be young professional buyers.

But if it’s a house or garden flat that you’re bringing to market, then buyers with families should be at the forefront of your mind.

What do downsizers, a growing force in the housing market, want? Check out this two-minute read to find out.

Downsizers are emerging as increasingly influential players in the property market, with a growing number of over-55s selling up and buying less expensive properties.

Moving house is stressful, moving house with kids… well, that can be a recipe for meltdowns, tantrums, and sleepless nights. […]

Before you were a property owner, chances are windows were something you just looked out of to take in the […]

When searching for a new home, do you scroll past properties that look a little worse for wear? You know the ones, where the carpet hasn’t been changed since the 70s and the floral wallpaper is curling off the walls?

Lots of buyers look for newly renovated or new-build homes due to fear of the doer-upper. If that sounds like you, we’re here to tell you that you’re potentially missing out.

Older, seemingly ‘unloved’ properties may look scary, but they’re often hiding bags of potential.

Here’s what to consider when buying a doer-upper.

Selling a home is not a solo project – well, not if you hope to achieve top selling price. A […]

There is so much going on in the world today between the invasion of Ukraine and rising fuel and inflation. It’s certainly turbulent times.

One thing that has remained constant over the last two years is the shrinkage of the supply of rental property and properties for sale.

Waterford Property Market Update January 2022 Liberty blue Estate Agents

In this report, I will give you a brief snapshot of what’s happening in the housing market in Waterford right now.

This two-minute read will help you learn about conveyancing solicitors and how to find the right one for you in Waterford.

What exactly is a conveyancing solicitor? This is the person who does all the legal paperwork for you when you are buying or selling a property. The following are our top tips on how to find the right one for you…

This two-minute read looks at the changing rental market and what it means for landlords.

With the rental market changing enormously over the past decade, savvy landlords need to stay on their toes to make the most of their investment.

What Waterford tenants want…

This morning, Monday the 31st of January 2022, Regina had the chance to address Darragh O’Brien TD, the Minister for Housing. Here is what she had to say…

We are thrilled to learn that Dungarvan has been allocated an investment of €1.4 million for a digital transformation hub, which is to include; 90 co-working spaces, an incubation, innovation and commercialisation hub, training workspaces and a digital knowledge facility.

We reckon it’s time we all got to know Scott, our newest team member, so we sat him down and hit him with some quick-fire buzzer round style questions. 😁

How long have you worked for Liberty Blue?

I am here for almost 3 months now, It’s been great, a huge learning curve from my previous career but I love it.

Who would you want to play you in a movie of your life?

Chris Hemsworth, I reckon he could pull off my look 😜

This week I’m going to chalk down as a ‘learnings week’ as Real Estate Industry Leader Stephen Brown likes to put it. I don’t know who coined the expression or where I heard it before but as they say to get ahead in a new industry; you must fail fast, fail often, and fail forward in order to learn and grow.

I made mistakes with the VR camera – not enough scans + pictures – lesson learned.

I made a mistake with the diary – lesson learned.

I started in Liberty blue on September 15th on a Wednesday morning at 9 am. In the first few days that week, I was eased into things by shadowing Akville and Angela. I learned the basics around the technology used in Liberty Blue like Acquaint and Fixflo. I was also lucky enough to sit in on a marketing meeting during my first week too. It gave me great insights into the work and planning that goes on behind the scenes here in Liberty Blue. Everything is meticulously planned weeks/months in advance.

Welcome to our November Property blog

This month I am focusing on the residential rental property market. In terms of activity very little has changed with respect to supply and demand.

As of today, the 10th of November, while writing this blog there are 11 properties in total for rent on Daft in Waterford City. This includes 3 student properties. There are a further 8 in the County of which one is a holiday home and only available until April to rent.

In this two-minute read, we look at how landlords in Waterford can make sure their rental investments stand up to the challenges of winter weather.

With winter officially only a few weeks away, the time is now ideal for landlords to take steps to ensure their properties are prepared for whatever December to February serves up.

By putting a winter property maintenance plan in place, you’re setting yourself and your tenants up for a trouble-free winter period.

Dear Liberty Blue,

One of my tenants is complaining of noise late at night made by one of the other tenants in the building, upstairs. This is a teenage girl who has taken up the drums. In fairness, the noise is only going on until 8 or 9 pm but still, this downstairs tenant is fed up with it because it is going on every evening for about an hour.

Any suggestions? All has been peaceful between these two apartments until now!

In this two-minute read, we look at the BIG reasons why your home needs to be up for sale at the very least before you start seeking a new one.

Picture the scene.

You’re house hunting and have been trawling the internet for what seems like forever. Then one day your eyes are drawn to a beautiful looking home that ticks all your boxes.

You visit the property and boom, fall head over heels with it. It’s the one….

In this two-minute read, we look at one of the simplest ways to turbo charge the sale of your home – decluttering.

When it comes to selling a home, there’s a simple way to add thousands of euros to the price you achieve – and that’s to get rid of your clutter.

By being a little bit ruthless with yourself, and those you live with, you really can achieve a quicker and more lucrative sale.

Here are five ways to say goodbye to your clutter…

In this three-minute read, we look at the critical role social media plays in estate agents reaching out to potential buyers.

When choosing an estate agent, it pays to channel your inner Miss Marple or Sherlock Holmes and do a little online sleuthing.

When you’re looking to hire an estate agent it’s important to look for someone with a strong community standing, good track record, and proven marketing formula.

Social media and Google reviews are great places to check this out….

I am in the middle of selling my house. My family and I are moving further out of Waterford City and buying a new house there at the same time. My problem is that the buyer of my house seems to be moving very slowly, or their solicitors are. We have been delayed now 9 weeks since we went sale agreed and it is starting to make me feel very nervous about my house purchase. The people we are buying from are chasing me every day. What can I do? 

I am in the middle of selling my house. My family and I are moving further out of Waterford City and buying a new house there at the same time. My problem is that the buyer of my house seems to be moving very slowly, or their solicitors are. We have been delayed now 9 weeks since we went sale agreed and it is starting to make me feel very nervous about my house purchase. The people we are buying from are chasing me every day. What can I do? 

As Estate Agents, we have a reputation for producing great videos and images of our properties and marketing them really well to buyers.

I was reminded last month though that we just wouldn’t be able to do this to such a high standard if our clients didn’t work with us!

Today,17th August 2021, there are only 11 properties for rent advertised on daft.ie in Waterford city and county, excluding student accommodation (8) […]

In this two-minute read, we give our best recommendations on how to find your dream home in Waterford.
Searching for your next home can be an exciting process, but it can also feel daunting and even frustrating at times. Use these suggestions to ensure that when you’re house hunting in Waterford, you remain as calm as possible.

This three-minute read gives you a few ideas to consider when choosing your removal company in Waterford.

Getting the right people to help you move home is so important. This means your estate agent, your solicitor, and the people that will do the physical heavy lifting. Choosing the right removal company will make a big difference, not only on moving day itself, but before, and after, your move.

At Liberty Blue Estate Agents we have noticed a trend change when it comes to buyers looking for their first home. Previously most buyers wanted a home that was pretty much turn-key. 

However, in the past year, there has been a stronger demand from buyers looking for a home which can offer them a project. The result is that older townhouses which had been left aside and looking sad are being bought by buyers who see their potential. These buyers want to invest the time and energy into a redesign and retrofit.

In this two-minute read, we share some simple ideas to improve your garden.

Covid restrictions have affected the housing market in many ways, from virtual viewings to a complete lack of supply but something else has occurred too. Outside space and gardens are fastly becoming a wishlist priority for both buyers and renters. Here some tips for making the most of your outside space.

In this two-minute read, we look at useful information which you might want to share with your agent to satisfy inquisitive buyers.

You can often tell whether a viewer is keen on a property from the questions they ask. And in our experience, the more specific the question, the warmer the prospect. When it comes to preparing for a sale, the more information that you can share with your agent, the better. Here are five typical questions to get you thinking.

Plenty of interesting reading recently about the property market and why now is not the time to buy property according to David Mc Williams.

Even the economic experts admit that they got it wrong over the last 12 months. Regina Mangan discusses the latest Daft report and her thoughts on where the market is going

In this two-minute read, we show you how to keep calm and in control when letting your Waterford property.

The idea that investing in rental property is easy passive income is a myth. Letting and managing rental property can be stressful, especially for inexperienced or accidental landlords.

This month sees the championing of Stress Awareness Month; an annual event which recognises the dangers of modern-day stress and provides valuable coping strategies. If you are wading through tenancy treacle, read our top tips to temper your tension.

In this three-minute read, we look at some simple and affordable projects to help sell your home faster and probably for a higher price, too.

It’s DIY Day on the 3rd of April and if you’re planning to sell your home, here are six easy things you can do yourself to help sell it quickly. They are simple, straightforward, and inexpensive ways to improve your home’s look and value. Happy DIY Day!

In this three-minute read, we explain why it pays for landlords to review the management of their property.

Spring is traditionally a time for a good tidy up and clear out. If you’re a landlord, it’s also an excellent opportunity to give your property management strategy a once-over.

Taking the time to review what is and isn’t working with your investment will save you money and energy further down the track.

Sellers frequently ask us for advice when it comes to selling their home. One question often asked is how best to […]

What is the best time of year to sell a house?
How long will it take to sell my house?
How much is my house worth?
Should I carry out repairs before I go to market?
What are my options if my house is not selling?

I recently sale agreed a lovely site in Stradbally County Waterford. We are also selling two amazing sites in Cheekpoint with breathtaking waterfront views. With all the enquiries I received, I thought it would be a good idea to invite an expert to our Waterford Property Watch segment to answer some frequently asked questions about residential planning permission.

So I got in touch with a planning permmision expert…

We list the five simple things we’re looking forward to when lockdown lifts in this two-minute read.
With the end to lockdown now in sight, it’s impossible not to think excitedly ahead to spring and summer.

We know we won’t be able to do everything all at once – but we can live with that.

You should never underestimate the importance of carrying out annual rent reviews to maintain the value of your property. Not only do rent reviews keep your income at the current market value but they also ensure your property achieves the maximum potential price, should you wish to sell. Find out why in this 2 minute read.

Did you know that the Solas Cancer Support Centre in Willimastown is 10 years old today!! Maria Clifford – AuctioCneer – Liberty Blue Estate Agents chats to Tracy McDaid about the great work they do, even during lockdown. The Solas Centre in Williamstown provides cancer support for those affected by cancer and their relatives, from; one to one counselling and group mindfullness sessions to Zoom yoga classes and even online art classes!

In this three-minute read, we look at the paint colours that are making a splash in 2021. For millions of us Irish, getting through this pandemic has been a case of “Keep Calm and Carry On with DIY”.

To stop ourselves from climbing the walls from boredom and frustration, we’ve turned to painting them.

When it comes to renting your property, the most important thing you must do is to select the right tenant. There are no second chances, you must get this right from day one. Afterall your property may be one of the biggest assets you own. Do not leave things to chance. If you do not choose the right tenants, you will enter a world of financial and emotional stress.

The past year has presented a challenge to many landlords who find themselves with a vacant property which may require both work and new tenants. It has been especially tricky for landlords living outside of Waterford. Despite everything, the rental market throughout Waterford has been very strong. We are attracting good prospective tenants who are relocating to Waterford, seeking quality rented accommodation.