Purchase power Property Market: With all the talk of bottoming out, just where do things stand right now? 20 metrolifeextra Thursday, January 28, 2010 D One-bed apartments from 175,000 Two-bed apartments from 235,000 Three-bed apartments from 270,000 This weekend, Castlethorn will launch the final phase of apartments in the prestigious Belarmine development in Stepaside. Having successfully sold apartments in both Belarmine Plaza and Belarmine Hall in 2009, this weekend sees the final 28 apartments released for sale with a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Set out over four floors, all apartments have a designated underground car space with lift access from the basement to all floors. There are three brand new show units on view this weekend. All three show apartments have been fitted out by interiors specialist Arlene McIntyre of Ventura Design and she has used Ikea furnishings to great effect. The dcor is warm and welcoming and makes great use of the space. Also on release for the first time are extra-large three-bed apartments with en-suites. Measuring 90sq m (968sq ft), these super apartments are triple aspect and the living room and master bedroom also benefit from feature bay windows. Belarmine is a wonderful mix of detached homes, town houses, duplex homes and apartments. The development first started in 2003 and it has a mature and settled feel. It boasts a neighbourhood centre with The Market convenience store now open. Other facilities to open at the centre include a medical practice and pharmacy, caf and a dry cleaners, the state-of-the- art Giraffe crche and childcare centre. In addition, for those with the future in mind, there is a new primary school, Gaelscoil Taobh na Coille, which opened last September, nearby. Dundrum Town Centre, with a variety of shops and restaurants, multiplex cinema and theatre is a mere 5km (three miles) away. Belarmine is served by the 47 bus service, bringing you to the Sandyford Luas stop, where you have an approx 22-minute journey to St Stephens Green. Show homes open Saturday and Sunday from 3pm to 5pm or by appointment. Belarmine Hall, Stepaside, Dublin 18 EBS Over the last 75 years, EBS has built its reputation on making home ownership a reality for generations of young people. The housing market in Ireland has changed dramatically over the last number of years. And, although a slowdown was expected, the extent to which it has happened was unexpected. National house prices have reduced by 31.5 per cent since the peak in February 2007. Economists are forecasting a further fall of anything between ten per cent and 15 per cent for this year. Despite the challenges facing the market, EBS is seeing first- time buyers cautiously re- engaging in the market. EBS is open for mortgages and recognises that purchasing your first home is one of the largest financial commitments an individual will make in their life, and is committed to offering a range of competitive product options: Borrow up to 92 per cent of the value of your home; Competitive variable and fixed rates; Split your loan to avail of a variable rate and fixed rate; Easystep option, which allows you reduce your repayments in the first three years; Interest-only option where the LTV is no more than 80 per cent. For more information on any mortgage products call into your local EBS office, tel: 1850 654 321 or log onto www.ebs.ie. EBS hosts first-time buyer evenings around the country throughout the year. Times of your next seminar will be available from your local office. F irst-time buyers take note: developers need you. In fact, its fair to say that theyre desperate for your money and are willing to offer purchasing deals, interior finishes, designer dcor and state-of-the-art sound systems that purchasers of the last decade would not have dared dream were possible. There hasnt been a better time to buy in 25 years. Since the height of the boom in late 2006/early 2007, house prices have fallen by 27 per cent, while at the same time mortgage repayments have fallen by up to 50 per cent. For those considering purchasing now, theyre facing a housing market with prices at 1997 levels and, coupled with historic low mortgage rates, the market has never been so attractive and the likelihood is that it never will be again. Deals the order of the day Then there are the deals available on a host of lavish new properties. Luxury is the only word that can be used to describe these modern developments. Consider Bellingham in Portlaoise: this meticulously created development is under an hours drive from Dublin thanks to its clever location near the new M7 motorway. But its the quality of the houses themselves that is catching the eye of market-savvy buyers. With a choice of detached and semi-detached, three- and four-bed homes, theres plenty of choice on offer, and all of these spacious homes come with a list of jaw-dropping standard features. Here first-time buyers get solid wooden flooring, designer tiling, Italian porcelain, a choice of quality paint schemes, built-in kitchens, Zanussi appliances, built-in surround sound systems, modern alarms, built-in wardrobes, deep weave carpets, marble countertops and are fully painted throughout. These houses even come with fully seeded landscaped exteriors. High owner-occupancy Such leading developments are turning heads. The highly successful Homes 2 Buy deposit scheme appeals to first-time buyers. Through the scheme, buyers can opt to pay a fixed monthly sum to Bellinghams developer for two years, after which the total of those payments is deducted from the price of the property. Bellingham just one example of the deals available in 2010. Home Deposit Advance With Home Deposit Advance, buyers can purchase their new home with a deposit of just 1,000. The balance of the deposit is not payable until closing. For sales details, Tel: (01) 216 4060 or visit www.castlethorn.ie Property 4 bed detached from 230,995 (1995 sq. ft.) 5 bed detached from 329,995 (incl. garage - 2305 sq. ft.) To find out more or to request a brochure visit www.kingscroft.ie or call the Sales Hotline on FreepHone: 1800 33 34 35 or call our Sales Agents: Tel: 046 9430895 On-Site Sales Offices Open: Weekdays: 10am - 4pm | Weekends: 2pm - 5pm This development is a short stroll from Kells town centre with all its amenities. With easy access to an ever improving National Road Network, Kells has a growing popularity with commuters. 5 bed detached house4 bed detached house index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html24.html25.html26.html27.html