Castle Farm Dunboyne

A really nice estate & we feel builder has added some nice extras. We have looked at two new build in different areas. The huge difficulty I have is the price variation and more especially from phase 1 to 3.

They are hoping to release all the remaining 22 in phase 3 and then the apartments later, % of which are allocated social housing, this is what we have been told. It looks like the phase 3 release will be first week April, where Covid restrictions apply, they are also looking to do appointments from showhouse and no buying off plans. The range 330 to 489...some of the 3bed end are 385 to 395 so the goalposts keep being moved. We were originally interested in 3bed end terrace but have to revise plans based on cost. Maybe it's our utter frustration that it looks like a return to celtic tiger, where we are all sitting outside showrooms hoping you get some house crumbs!

I know the Help to buy has improved options for many & certainly the new affordable scheme when its finalised will make a difference but the prices are insane. Sorry to state the obvious.

Hi,

We’ve reserved a 3 bed end of terrace house in the second phase. We were so disappointed when the prices went up by from 375 to 385, from phase 1 to phase 2. Was a struggle to cover the difference.

We were told it was to cover an increase in building costs and labour due to restrictions etc. People say all prices bumped up by 10,000 in all new estates when the gov increased the htb scheme cap from 20,000 to 30000.

There has to be a crash coming when government supports stop...hate buying a house knowing this, but we need somewhere to live.

The builders have been very decent to deal with and have a good reputation...completed all projects during the last recession. They’ve been lovely to deal with when we asked for small changes, and we’re very open in informing us about the land behind us being zoned for development. They are not like other builders we’ve dealt with, have been open and honest.

The apartments are not high rise, small number and hopefully won’t effect the look and feel of the estate.

Overall we’re super excited to finally move to our own house, in an area where our kids will have a safe walk to school.

I’m hopeful it’ll stay a nice, small development. Such a great location!

Best wishes everyone 🙂

househunter21 wrote: »

489 for a four-bed semi without flooring and kitchen appliances included is very steep.

It’s a lot!!

Prices in the area are just so high! It’s the same price to buy second hand houses in the area needing upgrading.

At least it’s cheaper to buy than renting...

Raighne01 wrote: »

We got out our keys today and the house beside us seem to be in as well!

Congratulations guys! Hoping to be your neighbors soon!

Hi Brosnan! Would it be possible to DM me as well about Bespace? Many thanks :-)

Yes, there were price variations based on location and type, in phase 2 the gable end 4 bed was €465k. There was only one 3 bed end for €380k, the rest were €385k to €395k. There was only 1 3bed mid at €360k, the rest were €365k.

The advertised prices still up on Daft, Sherry & Castlefarm are not really indicative of majority of pricing. We spoke to two individuals in EA, one didn't commit to any price change, but second said there could be potential increase % depending on type & location from phase 2 pricing, mentioning the higher end being €489. We took that we needed to budget for 10k to 20k potential increase. This seems to line up with the price increases from phase 1 to 2. I'm just hoping they will see some sense and not increase, but I've yet to see 3rd phase that didn't go up in the last two years in the market. It's so difficult to plan with AIP knowing you might have to find another 10k to 20k.

I also found some planning applications which are in An Bord Pleanala for Connaughton owned land adjacent, and they have huge plans for 800+ apartments and houses. I think locally tgis has been disputed but the land has been rezoned and while It has not been approved yet but I wonder the pricing impact and if approved the traffic implications. The ring road the new one planned will also make some of the houses position potentially quite noisy, maybe.

Summerseat just 2 minutes are still selling 3bed end for €360k & in the new phase there is 4 bed duplex €360k. Again, there are large plans to develop the surrounding land in Clonee via the fast track applications.

I appreciate in rising market with limited supply, developers who have manged to build, can pretty much, indiscriminately increase. I just hope they will keep to phase 2 pricing, maybe wishful thinking.

Momofthree79 wrote: »

Hi all
We are hoping to secure one of 3 beds in phase 3. Anyone know what number the houses are that are going up for sale in phase 3?
The EA told me they will be released may/June with completion date 6/8 months later.

Thanks

I believe the numbers to be released in phase 3 are 1-22. 23-42 was p1 and 43-51 was p2.

Agreed regarding AIP and the uncertainty of price increases. We're new to this so perhaps a silly question but at what point would the full deposit have to be paid if phase 3 isn't due to be completed until the end of the year/early next year? Each extra month of saving will make the difference!

FTBuyer2021 wrote: »

Hello,

It can be a bit confusing, so hope this helps.

It depends on your circumstances and how much deposit it is. Let’s just say you want a house for €390k

The estate agent will look for a refundable €5k booking deposit to secure the booking.

You need to be in a position to put down 10% when signing contracts, €39k. So that could be up €30k from your help to buy (if you’re eligible) and remaining €4k (cause you’ve paid €5k already booking fee) when signing contracts, you would transfer this via your solicitor. This is usually couple of weeks after you’ve got your approval in principle / paid your booking fee with estate agent.

Someone on the thread might be able to articulate it better than me. Hope it helps!

Yes that’s about right!

The EA told me yesterday that we must provide proof of AIP and be sale agreed on our own house in order to book one of the houses. She also said that they cannot confirm at this stage all remaining houses will be released in phase 3. Suppose this is because we’re are level 5 with no construction.

Anyone moving in or in estate with children. We have a 6 year old girl and two boys age 1 and 2.

barbarosa wrote: »

Hey, Momofthree79.
I think there will be more families with children in Castle Farm (we reserved in Phase 2 and also have two primary-school children and I think there were more mentions of school/children in this thread)
Related to the EA information about the houses to be released next - I suppose they do not know upfront - for the simple reason that we are where we are with a total lockdown on construction industry, as many others and with a close-to-zero vaccination program progress - and not even government know what they will do next - hence the "cannot confirm at this stage" information from the EA.
Regarding the house prices (not in Your post - but elsewher in this thread) - understandably there is a concern of price increase with each new phase release - but my oppinion is - mainly due to limited supply and increased demand - house prices will only go in one direction for the next few years (and that price direction is for sure not "down"). If You're like us - paying over 1600/month for Your rent - every delayed year is another 20K spent on rent, so - Yeah - probably look around for a good/low rate fixed'term mortgage and buy Your own house - will be cheaper then renting.

Good Luck - hope things work out fine for You.

I completely agree. A Castle Farm house is up for rent for 2250 per month on daft. The apartments in the area get at least 1700 for rent. If you’re in a position to buy it makes such sense not to rent while rental prices are so high.

Its nice to see photos of what the house will look like when we get keys. It’s looking hopeful the site will reopen in April....fingers crossed!!!

Has anyone been able to find a date of completion for Phase 3? Or even seen what progress the build has made to date?

With these new builds they put social tennents in first, then 25 or so private people at a time.

Pretty soon the estate is 55% social housing the 4 beds come first then the duplexes 900 sq feet ok on top of one another in blocks.

They normally put the social people in first to form a steering committee for the estate. As they normally plan to build a little more duplexes than on the plans as the government pay 400 million annual for social housing.

The home owners of the private homes will be maybe 35% Europeans couples.working all day in multinationals, no kids the social side lots of kids.

One side of the estate private one social. Maybe 5 private renters if the developer holds on to a few houses.

Social pay rent of 250 for single mums 400 for 2 partners.

The Irish who buy are lucky big shots with 90k on their p60s or self employed.

TUATH is a big operator in meath.

Social people are good garda vetted, but you do get a lot of young kids in summer , some dosmetic crap, some petty crime like garda raids no major criminality in any of the 82 new developments.

Irish people don't mind it in experience some europeans have different ideas about property rights and get frustrated.

The houses are turn key amazing quality huge attics, but the gardens are normally crap and after floors and carpet, furnishings the patio is the next cost.

It was suggested earlier in the thread that the EA said the release will be in May/June and completion would be 6-8 months

Homebuyer21 wrote: »

Very conflicted post...
As an Irish European, I think most people support social housing policy here. I may have been working long hours for many years...and have been struggling to afford a 3 bed house...yet I accept that 10 percent of all new estates goes to social housing...this promotes an integrated society...where those less fortunate than us are cared for and not marginalised....social problems and criminal activity can be present in all areas of society and in all estates. Castle Farm is in a lovely area, with excellent schools. I feel very lucky to be buying a house here. I hope everyone else who wants to reserve one is successful and that the prices don’t jump for ye in the next phase. I think they’ll release the next phase on April 5th once restrictions are eased. The houses will fly up once the sites are open...It takes 17 weeks to complete them from start to finish. From what I can see, they haven’t begun phase 3 yet. Phase 2 have timber frames, roofs, windows, and some brickwork...

It won't be 10% not a chance not even near 30% it will be 40 to 50+ social infact I can show you which addresses. 82 of the rebuilding Ireland sites are the same.

Infact the housing association shows each property they lay claim to as soon as its built with a c1 form of mortgage registration charge in their company accounts viewable on visionnet.

Ask who will cut your grass, fix your roads,.. You will get the builder and after the builder leaves the council, ring the council and see if they know anything about taking over the maintenance they won't as the housing association gets a quarterly fee.

Harleyheels_92 wrote: »

Has anyone else received an email from the builders today providing their MPRN number? Just wondering if anyone knows how this works with getting the house set up for electricity when we are ready to move in?

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We did not receive an email in this regard yet - presume it will be closer to the moving-in time (not expecting that to be before july for the Phase 2 - where we booked - and that only if building sites reopen in april).
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In regard "how this works with getting the house set up for electricity" - that is pretty straight-forward - You contact by phone or online registration form whatever energy provider You choose (i.e Bord Gáis, Electric Ireland, etc etc) - confirm Your details, including address, billing and MPRN - and they should drive it from there - once confirming the account - Your bills will be issued by the respective company.
Good luck.

BrosnanL27 wrote: »

Hi Raighne hope you're good and settling in well?

Random question but did the ensuite bathroom come with a glass door for the shower? Theres wasn't one in the show house so just want to be prepared if we need to get one!

Do feel free to pass on any advice/tips for the rest of us who are patiently waiting to move in!!

Thanks a million!

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That's strange - am pretty sure they had the shower door in december, when we visited the show-house - we did not ask, however, if they are included - presumed that would be "normal" to have them fitted as part of the ensuite - also looked again at the castle farm video on Youtube - glass door is there (look from minute 2:40 on the video, unless I am looking at the wrong thing). Would be nice if someone who already moved in could confirm that. Thx

BrosnanL27 wrote: »

Hi Raighne hope you're good and settling in well?

Random question but did the ensuite bathroom come with a glass door for the shower? Theres wasn't one in the show house so just want to be prepared if we need to get one!

Do feel free to pass on any advice/tips for the rest of us who are patiently waiting to move in!!

Thanks a million!

Hi! We're settling in well thanks, all good so far!

Yes, the shower in the ensuite has a glass door.

I'm term's of tips or advice, for anyone thinking of buying a three bed, we had a stairs fitted to the attic immediately and plywood flooring put down. There is LOADS of space up there and it makes a big difference to the house.

Broadband is proving to be an issue. Only mobile broadband is available at the moment. The houses are wired for fibre to the home but there's no date given as to when that will actually be connected by broadband Ireland.

Raighne01 wrote: »

Hi! We're settling in well thanks, all good so far!

Yes, the shower in the ensuite has a glass door.

I'm term's of tips or advice, for anyone thinking of buying a three bed, we had a stairs fitted to the attic immediately and plywood flooring put down. There is LOADS of space up there and it makes a big difference to the house.

Broadband is proving to be an issue. Only mobile broadband is available at the moment. The houses are wired for fibre to the home but there's no date given as to when that will actually be connected by broadband Ireland.

Unfortunate news about the broadband. especially with the amount of WFH that is currently happening. Hope they sort that soon for you!

We are seriously considering the attic stairs too. Would love an idea of cost if you don’t mind sharing? Or a picture of how it looks? Where did you lose the space on the second floor?

Wormy001 wrote: »

Unfortunate news about the broadband. especially with the amount of WFH that is currently happening. Hope they sort that soon for you!

We are seriously considering the attic stairs too. Would love an idea of cost if you don’t mind sharing? Or a picture of how it looks? Where did you lose the space on the second floor?

I'll PM you now!

I think it'll be a while before the broadband is sorted.
No space lost on the second floor, the bannister was broken just outside the master bedroom and the second stairs went above the first stairs.

Wormy001 wrote: »

Unfortunate news about the broadband. especially with the amount of WFH that is currently happening. Hope they sort that soon for you!

We are seriously considering the attic stairs too. Would love an idea of cost if you don’t mind sharing? Or a picture of how it looks? Where did you lose the space on the second floor?

Photo 2