Affordability is the major driving factor for purchasers deciding which house type to buy, says Rosemary McKeown, of Navan-based agent Raymond Potterton.
“Purchasers are keen to buy A-rated, energy efficient homes. Those who are priced out of the Dublin market get more bang for their buck in the commuter towns and are happy with the facilities on offer for family living in these areas.”
In Johnstown, for example, on the Dublin side of Navan, Glenveagh is selling Cois Glaisin, where two-bed townhouses start from €230,000; three-bedroom semis from €265,000; and four-bed semis from €320,000. To the north of the town the developer has a second site, Cluain Adain, where three-bedroom semis start from €275,000; four-bedroom semis from €305,000; and four-bedroom detached houses are from €360,000.
On Navan’s Proudstown Road Cois Na Rasai is a small exclusive development of 15, four-bed, detached homes. Prices range from €380,000 to €420,000 and include two bedrooms with en suites and a walk-in wardrobe in the master.
In the past five years, Ashbourne has seen strong growth in new homes schemes providing about 800 new homes to the commuter town, says Paul Grimes of REA Grimes.
This has led to a population increase of more than 2,150, Grimes estimates. The agent is selling three-bed semis starting from €350,000 at The Oaks, Archerstown Demesne, a scheme of 47 homes, and has a couple of four-bed detached houses at the same scheme from €575,000. Launching in June, with prices to be confirmed, is Cnoc Neil Grove, on the Dublin Road, comprising nine four-bed semi- and detached houses. Four-beds at Churchfields are selling from €370,000.
Signs of further growth
In the past five years Grimes estimates that some 200 new houses have been built in Ratoath. The fact that Irish Water invested in replacement pipeline at Staleen plant in addition to improvements of pipework within the town to improve the water supply and water pressure signals further growth.
Phase two of Fox Hall, on Curragha Road, which launches in September, will see large detached Georgian-style houses coming to market. Two remaining four-beds from phase one are seeking from €650,000.
Dunshaughlin, says Aidan Hora, the selling agent at developer Hora Property, building in the town since 2014, is in the early stages of a big expansion. The firm is selling its last 14 units at Grange Park where four-bed semis start from €415,000 and four-bed detached are from €465,000.
Hora’s belief is echoed in the fact that Gem Group, which did Abbot’s Hill, Malahide and Clonfadda Wood, Mount Merrion, recently secured planning permission for 913 residential units on a 28-hectare site, adjacent to its current development The Willows, that launched in 2017.
Due to complete later this year it comprises 222 units. Its last units are being sold through joint agents Hooke & MacDonald and Dillon Auctioneers. Works on the new site, to the east of the town, start in the autumn and the first homes are to be delivered in 2020, the firm says.
In Trim, Effernock Manor is a development of three-, four- and five-bed detached homes on the Dublin Road with prices respectively starting from €325,000, €365,000 and €475,000 through Coonan Property.
Outside Mornington, in Donacarney Little, DNG Duffy is selling three-bed terraced homes at Glen Boann from €285,000.
In Clonee, on Dublin’s doorstep, there are three or four sizeable homes still available at Holsteiner Park. Prices there start from €875,000.
