Room for improvement: Examining information availability in residential property purchases
Summary
This report highlights the scale and growing value of residential property transactions in Ireland and the significant financial commitment involved for buyers. As home sales operate on a buyer beware basis, it underlines the need for clear, accurate and timely information from estate agents, solicitors and public records. The report assesses gaps in the current information landscape and sets out practical solutions to reduce risks for buyers.- Publication date:29 July 2025
- Industry:Real estate activities - M
- NACE code:Real estate activities - M.68
In 2024, according to CSO data, there were approximately 61,000 property transactions on the open market with a total value of around €25bn. This reflects a growth of 58% and 194% respectively in the last decade. The average price paid by households between May 2024 and April 2025 was €365,000, showing the substantial financial commitment involved in these transactions.
In Ireland, the sale of residential properties by a consumer follows the principle of ‘buyer beware’, meaning it is the buyer’s responsibility to investigate a property’s condition and legal status before making the purchase.
This highlights the importance of clear, accurate and timely information at every stage of the process. The effectiveness and transparency of this information from estate agents, solicitors and public records are vital in reducing risks for buyers.
This report examines the current information landscape of the Irish residential property market, identifying key gaps and proposing actionable solutions.
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