THERE'S A NEW realism in the west of Ireland property market, where Galway builders O'Malley Construction dropped prices on a scheme back to 2003 levels, in order to shift completed houses.

They offered homes at two schemes, Leargan on the Western Distributor Road, starting at €295,000, and also at Boireann Bheag with a mix of houses and apartments starting at €200,000. The discounts varied between €25,000 and €70,000 and it looks like the gambit paid off with 40 deposits last Saturday, according to agent O'Donnelan & Joyce.