All ears for Steve Forbes

Around the Block: Next Thursday's IAVI lunch in the Burlington is shaping up to be one of the biggest business events of the season.

It seems that everyone wants to hear what guest speaker, Steve Forbes, president of Forbes Inc and editor-in-chief of Forbes Magazine has to say about the global economy in general and the property market in particular. Already over 500 tickets have been snapped up though there is a small number still available through the IAVI's office on Merrion Square.

Forbes, a former US presidential candidate, is an interesting choice of speaker at a time when everyone wants to know what is going on in the world economy.

He is an astute commentator, and will be listened too closely by a property industry that is more concerned than ever with property investments in Europe and further afield.

Hosting the event will be Aidan O'Hogan, president of the IAVI, which is now to sponsor a president's lunch every year.

Sales go through the roof at Belmarine

Ross McParland, who heads up Sherry FitzGerald New Homes, is still reeling from the success of last week's launch of a new apartment and townhouse development in Stepaside where a staggering 220 homes were sold with a capital value of €85 million.

By any standards this is a remarkable turnout, given that the supply of new homes has increased quite dramatically in recent weeks and there is considerably more competition between the various sites.

Many of those who booked homes in Belmarine, Castlethorn's stunning new scheme, will have to wait until 2005 for their units to be built.

Interestingly, quite a number of units were bought by parents for their children to move into in case the little darlings can't afford to buy something for themselves.

The huge number of viewers who turned up had a choice of 19 different house styles ranging from one-bed apartments at €265,000 up to smart new five-bed detached homes costing €950,000.

Any takers for Shannon cruiser business?

For those who daydream of mucking about in boats, the opportunity to buy an established Shannon cruiser business will raise the blood pressure a notch or two.

The entire Celtic Cruisers operation, based near Tullamore in Co Offaly, is on the market through the Ballina offices of Irish Business Sales for €700,000. Alternately, the 12 cruisers can be bought separately from €33,000 to €68,000 - the cheapest holiday home in this country by a long shot.

While prices are based on age rather than fit-out, the oldest nine-berth boat has had a new engine fitted and is in good working order. The top price is for a nine-berth widebeam cruiser with three cabins, full central heating and a spacious well-equipped galley.

Shame that waterways legislation prevents people setting up a permanent home on the canals - these would be an ideal first-time buy. And there would be no worries about negotiating the Red Cow roundabout when boating to the office. The boats can be viewed at www.celticcanalcruisers.com