Buyers want eco-friendly homes, green spaces and parking

There are good deals in good locations on the market at the moment, with the amenities buyers want, says Fiona Tyrrell

WITH a fallback in prices and supply outstripping demand, the experts agree that apartment buyers can do very well at the moment. The drop in prices means that apartment buyers can afford to be a lot more selective. Location has never been so important to buyers, according to Owen Reilly of Gunne New Homes.

Location, access to the city centre, amenities, public transport and green spaces are the top priority for buyers at the moment, he says. However, new issues such as management companies and a development's eco-credentials are emerging, he says.

From January 2008, every home being built or sold will be required to obtain a building energy rating (BER) certificate. Even though the ratings don't come in until next year, more and more buyers are thinking about the resale value of an apartment in terms of its energy rating before they buy, according to Mr Reilly.

For eco-minded apartment hunters, a sustainable apartment scheme in Fairview, Dublin 3, will be of interest. Due to be launched through Gunne later this month The Garden House, a small scheme of apartments off Richmond Road being built by Rockland Holdings.

The scheme, which overlooks a pitch and putt course, comprises 42 low-carbon apartments. Prices will be in the region of €450,000 for two-bedroom units.

At the higher end of the market, Gunne is also handling the sale of Watermint, a chic scheme overlooking Cabinteely Park in Dublin 18 by developer Monti. At Watermint, hot water is provided through solar roof panels and central heating is by means of a carbon neutral wood chip boiler in the basement. Fit-out is slick and aimed at young hip professionals. Two-bedroom units are priced from €690,000.

Gemma Lanigan of Douglas Newman Good says that apartment buyers are becoming more and more aware of the size of apartments.

"People are sick to the teeth of apartments with no storage space. They want somewhere to put the ironing board!" In addition buyers are no longer content with a two-bedroom unit with one double and one boxroom, she says. Because many buyers can't afford to pay the mortgage on their own, they plan to rent out a room and are looking for two good-sized doubles.

Another hot issue with apartment hunters is car parking. Increasingly they are looking for allocation parking, not content with headache-inducing communal parking schemes.

An average car parking space will cost between €30,000 to €40,000 in the city centre. Further out, if the scheme is close to good transport links, developers are still charging for the pleasure of parking your car, typically between €20,000 and €25,000.

Like all fast-growing cities, apartment living in the suburbs is now a fact of life in the capital. The success of this concept hinges on good transport links and access to amenities.

A few units remaining for sale at the luxury scheme The Grange on the N11 in Stillorgan. The scheme raised the bar in terms of finish and fit-out. A number of two-bedroom apartments with 76-86sq m (820-922sq ft) are priced from €680,000-€720,000.

Trimbleston is another very successful suburban scheme, which is now nearing completion. The Sorohan scheme in Goatstown has earned a reputation for high standard of workmanship and the use of top-of-the-range fixtures and fittings. It has been developed over a number of years and now is taking on a settled look.

For sale through Hooke & MacDonald, two-bedroom apartments start at €610,000.

Another south side scheme, Beacon South Quarter, forms part of Landmark Development's ambitious plan to transform a dull industrial estate into a new living/shopping/entertainment/em-ployment district.

The super modern apartment scheme of some 750 units is taking shape beside a new shopping zone, a cultural centre, cafés and restaurants, a crèche and a five-star spa. Prices at Beacon South Quarter start at €495,000 for one-bedroom live work units. Sherry Fitzgerald New Homes is the selling agent.

A large scheme that is taking shape on the northern fringes of the city is Clare Village, beside Clare Hall shopping centre. Now in its second phase, the scheme will comprise over 350 units when complete. Two-bedroom apartments with 98sq m (958sq ft) of living space are priced from €355,000. Savills HOK is the selling agent.

At the other end of the market north of the city is Farmleigh Woods, a luxury scheme of apartments and houses overlooking the Government guest house, Farmleigh House.

Apartments here are the last word in luxury with hand-painted kitchens and oak flooring. For sale through Sherry FitzGerald New Homes, prices start at €450,000 for one-bedroom units.

In west Dublin, DNG is handling the sale of apartments in The Paddocks in Adamstown. Prices here are aimed at first-time buyers. With 67sq m (727sq ft) of living space, the two-bedroom apartments are priced from €299,050.

Also in west Dublin is the stylish St Edmunds scheme beside the Liffey Valley Shopping Centre in Dublin 20. For sale through Savills Hamilton Osborne King, 79sq m (850sq ft) two-bedroom apartments are priced from €360,950. Developer Glenkerrin is including all flooring (carpets, wood and tiles) in the price.

Further out in Leixlip, Co Kildare, DNG is marketing Beech Park Wood, a 64-unit apartment scheme which forms part of the larger Beechpark development. The well-presented apartments have lots of space and a good finish. Two-bedroom units are €315,000.

Meanwhile, buyers looking for city centre living have lots of choice. Crosbie's Yard near the IFSC in Dublin's East Wall has prices to suit first-time buyers. Designed by highly-regarded architects Scott Tallon Walker, the scheme has some unusual features. The one-bedroom apartments are in fact duplexes with the bedroom at mezzanine level. The two-bedroom apartments have two balconies. Two-bedroom apartments are priced from €375,000 and are for sale through Hooke & MacDonald.