Episode 2 Summary
First up is 29-year-old Danielle O’Brien, from Bray, Co. Wicklow. Danielle is working but is also studying for a degree. After moving back into her parents’ house when her relationship ended five years ago with a 2 year old in tow, Danielle has struggled to fly the nest again. She’s set herself a goal of being out in her own place by the time she’s 30… but right now that is looking hopeless. Qualified for the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), Danielle has been finding it more a hindrance than a help in finding a property to rent – although she actually hasn’t even got a viewing in months and so her confidence is at an all-time low.
As Danielle attempts to navigate her limited choices, the chaos of the Bray property market takes its toll. With Brendan’s help and that of Financial Planner Eoin McGee and Property Consultant Ciara Sheahan, Danielle gets herself on the best financial footing to move out, as well as learning to believe in herself again.
Can Danielle manage to win over the hearts of property agents and landlords in Bray when there are hundreds of potential candidates to choose from? And can she manage to hit her 30th birthday deadline of finding a place to call home?
Meanwhile, 26-year-old Montessori primary school teacher Alice Bowring has been craving her independence and wants to move out of her parents’ beautiful and most definitely uncrowded home in Dalkey, Co. Dublin. Despite the space, Alice feels trapped and her life is on hold – her dream is to move in with boyfriend of five years and fellow teacher, Sean, and she would love to buy.
Knowing that they can’t afford to buy in Dublin, Alice has her heart set on country living. But with mortgage hopes higher than what she could realistically get, Alice’s journey to her dream country home is a colourful one.
Can she find any home she could see herself living in and building a life? Or are her house buying dreams much further away than she thought? Should she forget about the goal of buying, and just focus on the here and now and look to renting or sharing instead to get her independence? For Alice, there are choices to be made and they are not always easy….