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Far fewer people turned up this morning to view or buy houses in the second sales phase of a major residential development that attracted more than 1,000 prospective buyers when it first opened last June.
While would-be buyers packed into three car parks at the Bayly development, off the Carrigaline Road, near Douglas last year, and queued along local roads, there were still spaces available at just one car park this morning.
In all, it is understood that by 11am, fewer than 300 had attended what is the second sales phase for three- and four-bed houses at the development.
The 20 to 30 properties for sale are described as “perfect for first-time buyers, families looking for room to grow, and people wishing to downsize to a more energy-efficient home.”
Quality assurance specialist Conor Healy, who has rented in Cork city centre for the past ten years, viewed the homes with his acupuncturist partner, Nuria Alvarez, but did not buy.
The couple are hoping to buy a three-bed end-of-terrace or semi-detached home for around €475,000, and it will be their first home.
Ms Alvarez, who runs her own business, said: “Yes, it is a lot of money to pay, but we feel nervous waiting longer to buy and see prices go higher.
“Also, there are not that many options.”
One lucky buyer, who purchased on the estate in 2024 said he believed the numbers were “way down” on last year.
Then, more than 1,000 people turned up for the first sales phase on a Saturday one weekend in June 2024, at the development.
Around 40 or so of them slept overnight, with some arriving two days beforehand.
At the time, there were also around 30 mainly three-bed semi-detached houses on sale from €445,000, and four-bed townhouses from €560,000.
This time around, about 20 stayed overnight.
One couple said they believed there was not as much money available as there was last year.
Undeterred, however, was Killian Heffernan, who queued overnight and was fourth in the queue.
He was “delighted” with the three-bed end-of-terrace property he purchased for €500,000.
Number 17 in the overnight queue was building inspector Ammu Maria Mathews, aged 29, and her partner, Prince Sebastian, a 32-year-old product manager.
Both are renting in Ballincollig and were hoping to buy a three-bed mid-terrace or end-of-terrace home.
Describing the €475,000 to €500,000 asking price — depending on the view — as expensive, Ms Mathews said: “We want to buy here because you get more for your money.
“The houses are bigger, and the estate is in a nice area.”
Mr Sebastian saw the coverage of the first phase last year and decided to check out the development as a result before joining the queue for properties on the estate.
He said: “It is very expensive, but in the area as well, you have to accept that the houses come with a fitted kitchen and appliances already installed.
“The price is high, but it is also good value.” Those who registered their interest were able to see what they could be buying by viewing any of the three show homes.
One man who was also successful said he faces €2,500 monthly mortgage repayments but said this is only slightly more than the €2,200 rent he currently pays.
He and others must pay deposits in the coming days to secure their properties.
The Bayly development in Douglas will ultimately consist of 472 units, in an area where up to 1,500 new builds are expected over the next few years.
These are the first Cork sales for publicly listed housebuilder Cairn, on a site where planning for the development was granted under a ‘fast-track’ SHD process in 2015.
