Though the second-hand homes market is quickly grinding to a halt before the estate agents take their summer break, there is still considerable life in the new homes sector because of the scarcity of starter homes. The Ross McParland agency took bookings last weekend for no less than £16.5 million worth of houses and apartments being built at Linnetfields, Navan Road, just outside Clonee. Virtually all of the 118 homes were bought by young couples keen to get their hands on a bit of real estate in case the prices shoot up again.