THIS CROWDED HOUSE – EPISODE 3
This week we meet two very different young adults, in two different parts of the country, but both feel trapped at home and are hoping to spread their wings. One only wants to buy, and one only wants to rent on their own… but both are facing into Ireland’s tricky property market.
First up, presenter Brendan Courtney meets 28-year-old graphic designer, Fintan Neville, who is living with his mum Anna in the family home in Donabate, Co. Dublin. He is the youngest of three boys and the only family member living at home, so he is ready to move out– but he’s only interested in doing so if he can buy his own place. His dream is to buy locally and stay close to his mum and brothers… though he knows trying to buy on his own in Donabate is more of a pipedream than a dream with current prices.
Fintan also has hopes of owning an eco-house which would save him money in the long term whilst being good to the environment. With the help of Brendan, he investigates all his options… but his options take quite a few turns along the way… not a surprise in a property crisis. Terrified of another property crash, Fintan tries not to let his fears stop him in his exploration – but it’s always there in the back of his mind, causing him to second guess himself.
After hearing he was mortgage-ready, Fintan jumps in head first into the property search… but his purchasing power takes him far away from the beaches of Donabate, and instead to the busy commuter town of Navan, Couth Meath. As he tries to keep an open mind, whilst navigating the property market for the first time – Fintan finds an apartments he loves… only to come to the realisation that asking prices are just a number. Will he find something he likes? Will he keep looking and manage to secure a place to live despite the knockbacks, or will he be worn down like so many others in this property crisis?
Meanwhile across the country in County Sligo, is another adult feeling stuck. 29-year-old Barbara Ryan is a trainee shop manager in her hometown of Sligo. She lives with her mum Helena and dad Chris and is the last of their children to fly the nest. Up until now she felt she couldn’t afford to move out, but her recent new job and responsibility has given her the push to move things on. Barbara feels like her life is on hold – she doesn’t like having her friends over as it’s not her house, and she also doesn’t want to date… because who wants to date someone who lives with their parents?
Brendan aims to really help Barbara find her way; he can see that she’s been quite down about it all and he takes her under his wing to try and make sure that she’s on the best path to move out…. Which is trickier than she thinks as she only wants to live on her own, and ideally in and around her hometown. Over the course of the summer however, Barbara embraces all the financial advice to get herself on the right path to move out but jumps in head first to her property search – and which sees Brendan having to put the brakes on her ambitions a few times! Will she stick to her budget? Will she open her eyes to sharing or is she gung-ho about living on her own? And for that matter, can she even find something to rent on her own? The property market in Sligo may be different than Dublin, but it’s still seeing price increases and competition is tough. Can Barbara manage to find somewhere to live and finally flee her parents’ house? Only time will tell. Tune in on Wednesday October 17th to find out.