Step 5 - Find your new home
What should you look for when deciding if a home is right for you?
Once you have received mortgage approval in principle and have hired a solicitor, you can start your search with confidence. Check out property listings, online platforms and estate agent windows, and begin viewing homes.
Get to know the area
When you find the home you want to buy, walk the area at different times of day to get a sense of the place. Pop into the local Garda Station and ask about the area. If possible, chat to potential new neighbours to find out the information that won’t be disclosed by the real estate agent during a viewing. You can also look up the address online to see if any recent news or local information is available
Check the environmental conditions of the area
Environmental conditions such as air and water quality, noise levels, and exposure to extreme weather (including flooding and drought) can have a big impact on your daily life, health, and even long‑term property costs. They can also influence insurance premiums and property values, so it’s worth taking time to understand the wider environment before deciding a home is right for you.
There are several publicly available tools that can help you assess the environmental context of a home:
- EPA Geoportal– Provides detailed information on air and water quality, noise, emissions, and radon‑risk maps (via Radon.ie).
- MyLocalEnvironment.ie – An easy‑to‑use map that shows environmental data (air, water, noise) within 1–10 km of a chosen address.
- Floodinfo.ie (OPW) – Offers flood‑risk maps and records of past flood events, useful if the property is in an at‑risk area.
- Geohive.ie – Ireland’s national geospatial data hub. It contains extensive mapping data, though it may be more technical to navigate.
- SEAI Maps (Seai.ie) – Includes tools such as the solar potential map and wind atlas map, which can help buyers planning energy upgrades.
- SEAI Calculator page – A collection of tools that estimate costs, energy use and potential savings for home improvements.
Consider the home’s energy performance
When viewing properties, ask the estate agent for the Building Energy Rating (BER) of the property, which shows how energy-efficient the home is. Ratings go from A to G, with A the most energy-efficient. You may get a better rate from your lender based on a higher BER. You can learn more about BER at SEAI.ie
Ask the right questions during viewings
When viewing a property, ask the estate agent questions that can help you understand its background and any factors that may affect the sale. This could include:
- If the property was previously rented or owner‑occupied
- If the sale is connected to probate
- If the seller is part of a property chain, which may affect timelines
- Details of any previous works or renovations made to the property
It is also useful to check local authority planning applications for the address or surrounding area. This may help you find issues like unapproved works or planned nearby developments that could affect your decision.
For more useful questions see our ask the seller checklist.
