‘They are coming, they are viewing and they are bidding...’

Auctioneers and estate agents were permitted to resume physical property viewings from Monday of this week, May 10, as Covid restrictions further eased.

James Spring of REA Peter Donohoe said the phone has not stopped ringing.

"It's crazy and the email account has been busy all weekend too with viewing requests," he told the Celt this week.

There is a huge demand in the market at present for residential property and Mr Spring is optimistic that a number of sales will be concluded in the coming weeks. "It's going to be very busy. There is definitely an appetite out there for residential property," he said.

Good properties are selling quickly, according to Mr Spring.

"We had a house put up for sale last week. We hosted the first viewing this morning and already we have an offer just shy of the asking price," he said.

While lockdown measures hindered prospective buyers' opportunities to view houses, the auctioneer found people were still happy to list their homes for sale during Level Five restrictions and the firm facilitated that by engaging in virtual video viewings.

"There was a build up of pressure though and, now that people can view properties again, they are coming out in their droves," said Mr Spring.

"There is a demand there. People want to buy. They have made the decision to buy. They are not messing around. They are coming, they are viewing and they are bidding," he concluded.

While supply is a concern in some parts of the county, Mr Spring is optimistic more properties will become available now that restrictions are easing.