Skip to content
Support Us

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Creatv Eight

Kitchen island or bigger garden? Rate your design priorities when buying a home here

We’re building a picture of what first-time buyers in Ireland today are looking for – and the help they need along the way.

BUYING YOUR FIRST home is an exciting time – but it is also a time when big decisions come thick and fast.

This autumn, we’re setting out to understand what first-time buyers in Ireland want, and what they need.

We want to know what you’re confident about, what you’re not so sure of, and what stresses you out. And we want to help along the journey, by providing the most relevant answers and the most informed advice

Over the full series we’ll be tackling five key topics for homes on the market: price and quality; location and community; what’s inside; energy and sustainability; and moving in. These align with the topics of a recent survey of first-time buyers on Daft.ie, which we’ll also be reviewing.

In our fourth article, we’re looking at what’s inside the home you’re buying. What are you looking for in terms of design, room layout and fittings? How much indoor and outdoor space do you need?

Answer the questions below to build a picture of your priorities – and see how you compare to other first-time buyers. Each time you give a rating, you’ll see how your number matches the overall reader average.  

First up: What does your dream home look like, inside and out? And do you have a clear idea of your needs?

CLEAR VISION

‘I know exactly what I’m looking for in a home’. Do you agree? (Rate 1 for strongly disagree, 10 for strongly agree). 

5

LIKE WHAT YOU SEE

If you’ve already started viewing houses online or in person, how do you rate the homes on the market at the moment? Do they meet your needs? Rate 1 for 'not at all', 10 for 'meet my needs completely'.

5

Now let’s look at some individual features.

WHAT'S COOKING

How important is a high-quality fitted kitchen to you, on a scale of 1 to 10?

5

LOO ROLE

How important is an en-suite bathroom to you, on a scale of 1 to 10?

5

I'M ONLY SLEEPING

How important are spacious bedrooms to you, on a scale of 1 to 10?

5

OPEN UP

How important is an open-plan kitchen and dining area to you, on a scale of 1 to 10?

5

Individual features of a home aside, the amount of overall space is often a key issue for first-time buyers. Almost one in four first-time buyers in the Daft.ie survey told us that their biggest issue with the homes available on the market was the overall square footage available.

So what are your requirements when it comes to space? How much room do you need to spread out?

OUT OF SPACE

When you’re looking at homes for sale, how big a priority is the overall square footage for you? Rate 1 for not a priority at all, 10 for top priority.

5

LAWN ORDER

Is a garden a must-have for you? Rate its importance on a scale of 1 to 10.

5

COMMON OR GARDEN

‘If there’s shared green space in an estate, I’m happy with a smaller garden’. Do you agree? (Rate 1 for strongly disagree, 10 for strongly agree). 

5

Over the last year, our everyday lives have changed significantly – and with them, our needs in a home. One of the most prominent changes has been the rise of working from home. For many buyers, this has put a new focus on the need for connectivity.

HOME WORK

How important is a dedicated work-from-home space to you, on a scale from 1 to 10?

5

ONLY CONNECT

More than 80 per cent of first-time buyers told us they plan to use a smart TV, with other smart technologies such as thermostats, lighting and doorbells also popular. High-speed broadband can be essential for these services - as well as for common home working needs, such as video calls. 

How likely are you to check the broadband speed available when choosing a home to buy? Rate 1 for not at all likely, 10 for very likely.

5

So how did you compare to other first-time buyers? Are you right on the average, or out on your own? 

Stay tuned for more articles in this series, as we’ll be bringing you expert advice and insights for each topic too.

At Glenveagh Homes, our vision is that everyone should have the opportunity to access great-value, high-quality homes in flourishing communities across Ireland. We understand that buying a home is possibly the biggest decision you will ever make in your life – but we want to make it your easiest. Click here to find out more about Glenveagh developments.

Close
5 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Higgins
    Favourite David Higgins
    Report
    Feb 13th 2013, 6:39 PM

    Usually in an economic crisis countries resort to economic protectionism and barriers to free trade. Thankfully we’ve learned from the past and are instead seeing free trade as one of the many routes to recovery. Fair play to Obama, ain’t no way in hell Mitt Romney would have touched this idea.

    Let’s hope we can use our presidency to advance these talks. We’ve everything to gain in the way of foreign direct investment and jobs.

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute graham galvin
    Favourite graham galvin
    Report
    Feb 13th 2013, 6:47 PM

    the federal reserve runs america not the president so it wouldnt have made a difference whether its obama or romney.

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute limofax
    Favourite limofax
    Report
    Feb 13th 2013, 6:48 PM

    If you want to learn from the past, maybe you should take a look at the mess that NAFTA made of the Mexican economy.

    25
    See 5 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute graham galvin
    Favourite graham galvin
    Report
    Feb 13th 2013, 6:59 PM

    @limofax nafta also destroyed the US economy as mexican truck drivers undercut americans.US companies now outsource manufacturing to mexico as its cheaper & pay no import duties on goods.free trade is all about the big boys maximising profits.its the little guy that suffers with job losses.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Higgins
    Favourite David Higgins
    Report
    Feb 13th 2013, 7:06 PM

    The damage to Mexican farmers is down to US subsidies to the corn industry, not to the free trade policy itself.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Higgins
    Favourite David Higgins
    Report
    Feb 13th 2013, 7:08 PM
    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute limofax
    Favourite limofax
    Report
    Feb 13th 2013, 7:18 PM

    Wrong on both counts. You need to Google it a bit harder than that.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eric De Red
    Favourite Eric De Red
    Report
    Feb 13th 2013, 9:33 PM

    Mexico’s economy is booming. GDP growth of 4% last year and rising.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin Gregory
    Favourite Martin Gregory
    Report
    Feb 13th 2013, 7:04 PM

    Another step towards a one world government ? US, Canada & Mexico linked in the AMERO & Europe linked in the Euro & now the US & Europe will be linked so when the next crisis happens the talks will be about lets link the Euro & AMERO to create jobs & growth ? ? ! !

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Keith Wizzy
    Favourite Keith Wizzy
    Report
    Feb 13th 2013, 6:46 PM

    The ‘invisible hand’ as introduced by Adams into Economics will be used to line more pockets for the rich from the hard work of the middle and lower classes.

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Higgins
    Favourite David Higgins
    Report
    Feb 13th 2013, 7:01 PM

    Can you imagine if people made these comments when free trade in the EU was first proposed?

    Thank God TheJournal wasn’t around back then, Europe would still be at war.

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Keith Wizzy
    Favourite Keith Wizzy
    Report
    Feb 13th 2013, 7:11 PM

    Oh I contradicted your faith in greed just as I’m contradicting your belief in supernatural superstitions now. This god of your was created as another control mechanism for the workforce. A better life in the next one. Don’t make me laugh :)

    10
    See 5 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute limofax
    Favourite limofax
    Report
    Feb 13th 2013, 7:16 PM

    I don’t think David that there is anything wrong with being very cautious about any new agreements. However, blind optimism is just plain stupid. A deal will only be a good deal if its a great deal for our citizens. Anything which would further drive down wages or allow multinationals to lay waste to our SME sector or independent retailers would be a disaster.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Higgins
    Favourite David Higgins
    Report
    Feb 13th 2013, 7:17 PM

    Well look, you go close the borders while I get my coat.

    There’s no future in this country without free trade.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Keith Wizzy
    Favourite Keith Wizzy
    Report
    Feb 13th 2013, 7:27 PM

    They once told us a country couldn’t survive without free trade in men, women and children of the same skin colour as the lad in the pic. Don’t take everything you learn in Trinners as a student mate as gospel mate. Been there. Done that ;)

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute limofax
    Favourite limofax
    Report
    Feb 13th 2013, 7:36 PM

    I never mentioned closing the borders. I was talking about a good deal for our citizens. David, you could save yourself and FG any further daily embarrassment by not commenting on anything at all. I’d nearly believe that the reason FF polled higher than FG on Monday is down to your mutterings on here. If you’re the future of FG, then we all need to get our coats. Gullibility is not something to shout about.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Keith Wizzy
    Favourite Keith Wizzy
    Report
    Feb 13th 2013, 7:40 PM

    Oh he’s a blueshirt. They’ve always been all about expansion. I should have known better and realised his was a party political broadcast.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mags Cunney
    Favourite Mags Cunney
    Report
    Feb 13th 2013, 8:08 PM

    Watch the US government pushing GM sh1t on Europe with Monsanto nudging them along. They’ve screwed up farming and food over there. Soon you’ll hear how GMO will help our agri industry prosper…. NO NO NO!!!!!!

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jack Bowden
    Favourite Jack Bowden
    Report
    Feb 13th 2013, 10:08 PM

    Free trade will benefit the whole world. This is great news.
    American’s eat GM food with no adverse effects to their health or environment. I would like to have the option of buying cheaper food. What if there’s a global famine in 50 years or so. I want food security for our grandchildren’s generation. Let the anti GM people starve and gather wild berries. The rest of us can eat crops.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin Gregory
    Favourite Martin Gregory
    Report
    Feb 14th 2013, 1:10 PM

    Is that why the EU has banned some of Monsanto chemicals because it stops bees from collecting pollen & is killing them off ?
    Have you not seen the studies on the rats that eat only Monsanto sprayed chemical food ?
    Food security ? Tell the EU to stop putting a cap on what can be used, like their law trying to make bananas more straight or odd shaped fruit being banned ?

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute D
    Favourite D
    Report
    Feb 14th 2013, 10:03 AM

    Be prepared to see SOPA or ACTA like proposals being made core parts of this agreement. They have done it before with Canada.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ireland for Change
    Favourite Ireland for Change
    Report
    Feb 14th 2013, 7:59 AM

    Roll on the NWO

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a comment

 
cancel reply