Searching for real estate in the Republic of Ireland can be interesting, since there are two main ways that property is sold here. Property is often sold at auction, which means that it is likely to be listed in a newspaper a few weeks prior to the sale and then auctioned off, with the seller's setting limits on how much they will take as a minimum. The second option is just as common and is a personal treaty. This option involves selling the property from one person to the next. However, buying property in Ireland does involve real estate agents. In fact, a local expert is really the only way to ensure that you are going to get your money's worth.

Doing Your Research

The good news for foreign nationals is that you can do all the research you want to right form home. Today, many of the properties for sale in Ireland are listed on the web. The following websites are a great example of what is currently available to you.

- Daft.ie: This website is one of the largest Ireland property websites available. Daft.ie provides you with options for sales, lettings and sharing options throughout the country.
- Property.ie: This is another large website that lists property for sale in Ireland. Use it for research or use it to find local real estate agents to work with you. New homes and commercial property are also listed at Property.ie.
- MyHome.ie: Yet another option to find property for sale or property to rent in Ireland is MyHome.ie. This resource provides a range of options and allows you to select to buy by location, size or other features. New homes are listed here, too.

In addition to using these websites to locate property for sale in Ireland, it is also easy to find the websites of real estate agents. These agents represent you, the buyer and they know their local area very well. This allows them to help you with pricing, surveys and with the overall buying process. It is highly recommended that you use their services, or at least those of an Ireland real estate attorney to help you through the process.

One of the largest companies is Remax. Another of the largest companies to work with (for both residential and commercial properties) is Lisney. You can also locate a real estate agent through the Irish Auctioneers and Valuers Institute or IAVI. This organization represents the licensed real estate agents in the country. Keep in mind that you should do your research to ensure that you select an agent that will represent you in this transaction.