This time last year, agents were so sure of selling out new housing developments that they had to do little more than give directions to the site. Well, things have changed a little and now Hooke & McDonald is laying on a train this Saturday to bring likely purchasers to visit a new scheme in Portarlington, Co Laois. Meanwhile in Blanchardstown Lisney is laying on a "family fun" day featuring Pokemon and Tellytubbies to launch a new McInerney-built development.

A further indication of the slowdown in the new house scene is the decision by at least two developers in the Blanchardstown and Clonee areas to include appliances in the sale of their new houses and apartments - something that other developers will now feel pressurised to copy. Throwing in the fridge, cooker etcetera in the sale might be just a sweetener in a sluggish market but it's simply in line with what happens in many other countries.