A selection of property related questions answered
Should we wait for Budget before putting offer on house?
We are interested in a particular house that has been sitting on the market for nearly two months now.
The agent has been phoning us and has now admitted that there have been no offers but she does say that two other parties are interested and is encouraging us to make an offer.
We are waiting to see what might happen in the Budget to Stamp Duty and are reluctant to put a bid in at the moment. The agent is saying that it would be best to get our bid in early. Any advice?
Well, she would say that, wouldn't she? If you look at it from her point of view she needs to go back to her client - who must be beside themselves with anxiety - with some sort of offer.
The notion that there will be some changes to our punishing Stamp Duty regime in the upcoming Budget has made people nervous of buying now in case it turns out that by waiting just a couple of weeks they might save on Stamp Duty. As you know, it was one of the kites flown by the Progressive Democrats last month but no one - bar, of course the Minister for Finance, really knows what is going to be happen.
Some agents are predicting a minor tweaking - but no major changes. If you really like this house, put a bid in, at a price that is suits you and with an eye on rising interest rates - below the asking price of course. Then sit tight.
As you know, you can't be held to a bid - and the opposite is also true - just bidding doesn't give you any preference as your agent seems to be suggesting.
Reports about radon cause widespread worry
How can I tell if I have radon gas seeping into my home?
Your letter is one of several that arrived in the email last week, prompted presumably by the media reports about radon. And they did make for shocking reading.
It turns out that Ireland has one of the highest average radon levels in Europe and that up to 200 Irish people each year die from lung cancer as a result of exposure to radon gas.
Furthermore the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) is urging every householder in Ireland to measure the levels of radon in their homes.
There doesn't seem to be any public information campaign - which is a pity because any time there is mention of it in the news, this column gets worried sounding queries from readers wondering what they should do.
However, it is easy to find out if you have radon (it's a naturally occurring gas) - and then to take remedial measures.
This column took its own advice last year and sent off for the measurement kits from the RPII - it costs €50 - and the results came back from the RPII quickly and efficiently.
Detailed information on radon and its risks, including information on how to get your home or workplace tested for the presence of radon, is available on the RPII's website www.rpii.ie/radon or on freefone 1800 300 600 or by texting the word RADON followed by your name and address to 53377.
Send your queries to Property Questions, The Irish Times, 24-28 Tara Street, Dublin 2 or email propertyquestions@irish-times.ie.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to respond to all questions. The above is a representative sample of queries received. This column is a readers' service and is not intended to replace professional advice. No individual correspondence will be entered into.
