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Posts posted by Ulidia
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Now I understand Queen's Square is older than the "best" places I have listed above so the apartments won't be as modern spec inside, but in terms of "nice-ness" (I'm thinking overall build quality, quality of life, the types of people living there) does anyone know if it would be up there with the nicer developments in the city centre?
Don't know in terms of owning but in terms of liveability, I would prefer Queen's Square over one or two of the blocks you mentioned as being the "best" places. In fact, for liveability, a more mature place is sometimes better. Only thing I would emphasise abut Queen's Square is that it depends on the apartment. Some have so little space and so little natural. Avoid those for anything other than a short-term rental. If looking at the development as a home, then it needs to be one with generous floor to ceiling window space and less cramped surroundings.
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Hello
Does anyone have any information on this building?
An agent mentioned structural issues to me.
Thanks
Toby
I rented a unit there on a short-term lease back in early 2006.
I had sold my own apartment but completion of my new build home (Redwood development which I briefly referenced in an earlier post) was delayed so, as I worked in a city centre office, I decided to rent there. It was the first apartment I inspected and I opted for it - simply because I wasn't going to invest much time in searching for a short-term let. I moved in shortly after the building had just opened and there weren't yet many residents in it - in fact, I think some of the upper floors may not yet have been ready for occupation.
I had a 6 month lease but, practically, had moved out within circa 3 months.
Location-wise, it certainly isn't the most salubrious part of Belfast but it was very central so, from the location perspective, it ticked the box for me as a short-term rental which was motivated by desire for convenience rather than a home.
However, I strongly disliked the building. Finishing in the units was cheap and of poor standard. More generally, I can recall leaks into the main hall / foyer and large swathes of the internal works of the building that appeared to be unfinished. I am generally ignorant of construction standards and techniques but I do remember thinking at the time that, being so bleak and cheap at the outset, it would likely significantly depreciate (in liveability and relative value) within a short period of time.
I cannot speak for structural issues but certainly would never have considered purchasing there for home or investment. Neither would I consider purchasing there now, irrespective of price.
There are two other points about the building. Firstly, the streets on either side, are narrow for a relatively tall (by Belfast standards) apartment building. As a result, I recall that there tended to be a lack of natural light in the building which was less than ideal. In addition, it is an ugly concrete building and a blot on that part of Belfast's skyline. Two sides of the building are just concrete and unpainted at that ...... cannot understand how urban planners allow that in the 21st century.
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Interesting - can't think of what block that would be; the one beds in the more modern blocks don't seem to be shifting at the moment, but many of them seem a bit overpriced and I suspect that most people would want more space than what's available in a one bed apartment so it would be difficult to find buyers.
You're right that Belfast is not an apartment city, as much as I'd love it to be. I've heard of Ormeau being the current most popular place for 'young professionals'; like you I'd like to be near the Lagan and university area so perhaps that's an area I should be considering.
Without giving away too much were you able to buy somewhere without getting into a bidding war?
Yes, I was. However, equally I probably overpaid slightly for what I got but did so consciously. I saw some houses that looked nice within the most student-oriented areas (and I'm ex-QUB myself, albeit some time ago) but my friends who still live in Belfast unanimously advised against it as the part that I live in wouldn't really attract students and the rental prices sought would tend to push out of the mainstream student market.
Initially, I wanted one of the older period houses but, even the ones recently modernised that I viewed in the Upper Ormeau / Rosetta area tended to have problems with internal dampness which, to correct, would have meant an additional hassle factor so in the end I opted for a modern, but not new, townhouse.
Size circa 150sqm so relatively spacious as I live alone (albeit live with my partner here in London and she will come over on a relatively regular basis) - in particular, it has good storage space which is something of a necessity for me.
In due course (circa 5 to 7 years timeframe), I may opt for an older period house in the area when I am intending to spend the majority of my time in Belfast and I will be able to devote time to overseeing any improvement works necessary.
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Thanks for the info - welcome back to Belfast!
Out of interest, how much did your 1 bed flat sell for at the peak?
Like you I don't drive, and work in the center/university area so I want to live somewhere centrally. Did you move back to the city center when you returned to Belfast? Did you get the impression that there are plenty of buyers out there?
It seems to me that there are lots of city center flats that aren't selling - seems that things aren't shifting too quickly in general.
The 1 bedroom flat wasn't a particularly nice one and was in a comparatively older development (late 1980s) and by then was in need of redecoration. I sold it in January 2006 for, from recollection, circa £92k. I imagine at the height, it would have sold for £120k+. I've had a quick look and there don't appear to be any properties in the development currently for sale but when I last looked a few months ago, the asking price of a comparable apartment appeared to be in region of £75k.
I didn't move back to the city centre but, rather, to the Upper Ormeau Road area. This wasn't first in my sights but I viewed a number of properties in the area during the summer and spent time in the area and really liked it. I like the bars around there and being close to the Lagan. I bought a townhouse rather than an apartment as I like the additional space and because I think Belfast is more of a house city than an apartment city - if that makes sense. I would have liked an apartment and did consider purchasing at Greggs Quay due to the river views, large size and, as a slightly older apartment, it doesn't have the inflated premium of certain new developments.
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I guess the two bits of the train line that might be of interest would be Whiteabbey, Jordanstown and Greenisland or Finaghy and Dummurry. Anything on the Bangor line and you may as well buy in Belfast.
I know Whiteabbey and Jordanstown well enough. Despite being seen as a bit rough round the edges Whiteabbey is fine if you are either on the Shore Road side of things or in Fernagh. You can get three bed houses (albeit as ugly as sin) from £50K to new-ish builds at £115K:
http://www.propertynews.com/Property/Whiteabbey/MCMMCM12484/7-Marine-Court/356230895/Page5
The rates for the ugly ones are as low as £560/year and an annual train pass is £500. The bonus with the annual train pass is you get free Translink travel at weekends across the whole of NI.
Jordanstown is obviously more expensive, with three beds starting from £125K with £175K getting you a nice enough detached bungalow. I know it's a two bedder, but I thought this very nice and is in one of the better quiet roads right by the station:
http://www.propertynews.com/brochure.php?s=356229250&p=JREJRE0433
There's lots to look at if you just pop the postcode BT37 in Propertynews.
Oh and motorway access onto the M5 is straight forward and a quick route into Belfast.
I appreciate it's not for everyone, but when (as quoted above) small semis in Stranmillis are £250K it might be worth thinking about as another option.
I'd also love to know more about Finaghy/Dunmurry as prices don't seem quite as steep as Belfast.
Apologies for coming to this thread late but I thought I would comment on The_Equalizer's question regarding Finaghy / Dunmurry.
In early 2006, when prices were rocketing in Belfast, I had just recently sold my small one bedroom apartment in a central Belfast location and had agreed the purchase of a significantly larger apartment, also in a central Belfast location. Location was important to me because I worked in BT1 and, as something of a rarity in Northern Ireland, I don't drive.
However, due to rocketing prices, the vendor decided to pull out just before contract signing and I was left "homeless" (well, actually, it meant moving back in with my parents) for a few months. Worried by the continued rising prices, I decided to buy an off-plan townhouse in the Redwoods development in Derriaghy. This was something I had some nervousness about. In practice, I enjoyed it. The development essentially bordered Derriaghy train station, the development was quiet and respectable - the transport link via train to Belfast city centre was great and excellent value for money (from recollection, a weekly ticket offering unlimited travel was circa £12 back then), albeit trains stopped operating fairly early. I think the last train out of Belfast was shortly pre-11pm.
Although I only stayed there for a year or so, as I then moved to Asia, I really liked the development. Note that this was in the relatively early stages of the development before the larger apartment block (or blocks?) was built and, from recollection, some of these may have subsequently been purchased for social housing. Whether this has had an impact on the feel of the development, I don't know as I haven't been back since early 2008 but, certainly, I had pleasant memories of living there.
For info, I live in London these days but am now starting to live half of my time in Belfast, working remotely. This is something I have consciously chosen because, for me, quality of life in Belfast outstrips that of London. I acknowledge that's a personal view and not one everyone would agree with. Therefore, I myself took the plunge and bought once again in Belfast in Q4 2015. I don't necessarily think it is a "good investment" in a pure sense but it is good for me as it is important for me to have my own home back in my own city and it is primarily for lifestyle reasons, rather than for investment purposes. So far, it is working well for me.
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I'm planning to buy, circa 7 years after selling my last home in Northern Ireland.
Will be buying in Belfast.
I've been looking at asking prices, and what is selling, over the past 5 or 6 months. Perhaps not surprising but the desirable parts of BT9 appear strong with well located houses attracting bids in excess of offer price. Parts of BT4 and BT5 also appear in strong demand.
More generally, in my view, there is a lack of good property stock on the market which could be a consequence of negative equity limiting options for many of those who bought in the "boom" years who don't have the equity to "move up the ladder." This lack of stock has clearly helped drive prices up in the more sought after locations.
Also parts of Belfast remain weaker than the areas highlighted - much of the stock in North Belfast looks to be stagnant.
In summary, looking to buy in Belfast with budget around £350k max and hoping to see more properties coming onto the market in spring. I'm not buying for investment but for purposes of returning home - although I work in London, I can spend at least half my time working remotely from Belfast and, for me, I prefer Belfast significantly over London.
Prices? I don't have enough of a sense as to how the public sector cuts could impact the market. However, I would generally see the market posting very moderate growth / flat over the next 12 months.
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Good to hear from you again. I hope a few more of the original members will pop in on this thread. It would be good to hear how everyone is getting on.
Thanks Doccy.
Was just thinking back. I sold my house in early 2008, having bought it in mid 2006 (following sale of an apartment I'd previously had). By the time I sold my house, the "good feel factor" was out of the market - I think it had been that way since the start of the second half of 2007 although it was obviously taking many people much longer for reality to dawn on them.
The very same style of house in the same development is currently on sale with an asking price less than half of what I was able to sell it for in early 2008 and the 2008 sales price was actually a reduction of 20% from the level it went onto the market at in Q3 2007. At the time, I was very surprised that my house sale completed. As per normal, the transaction took a month or two and during that time, there were continuous very negative stories about the economy and house prices in particular. At the very least, I was surprised the buyers (a young-ish couple) didn't try to knock thousands off the originally agreed price.
Ironicially, from speaking to my solicitor, he indicated that the buyers very much wanted the transaction to proceed because they'd been approved for a mortgage and, with mortgage lending policy tightening around then when the credit crunch was starting to take effect, they were worried that, if they didn't proceed, any chance of getting another mortgage offer was limited. Therefore, an interesting and unfortunate case where some people, in panic mode to get "on the ladder", did so directly against their best interests.
Next back home in mid July and might make a viewing appointment or two. By no means impatient to buy again in Belfast (and I won't be, given I don't expect prices to go anywhere but moderately lower over the next few years) but I do want a home in my home city. I live here in one of the nicer parts of London in a 1930s art deco apartment building ..... but the apartment is extremely small and it's part of a crowded, impersonal city.
Whilst we may often criticise it, I think the quality of life in Northern Ireland, and the beauty of its landscape, is under-appreciated. I look forward to retiring back home, even if I'm still in my 30s so retirement is maybe a few years off just yet
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I'm an occasional lurker and being Northern Irish (even though I don't live there currently, it will always be home), the Northern Ireland section is the one part of the forum that I would most often cast my eye over.
I sold in Northern Ireland in early 2008 - very fortunate at the time. I was living in the Far East for some time since then but am back working in the UK (London). Increasingly, I'm thinking of buying in Northern Ireland again ........ a house that will be a home, a place where I can grow old. I want to buy in North Belfast as, well, that's where I'm from and it's an incredibly underrated part of the city. More particularly, I want to buy a detached period house in Ben Madigan with direct frontal views of Belfast Lough and views at the back to Cavehill.
Interestingly, prices have come down significantly and, aided by a prospective property sale in the Far East, I'll maybe take the plunge over the next 12 months to 24 months. I've seen a few nice houses that potentially fit my requirements and I'll happily offer 80% of asking price or thereabouts and can sit and wait as, given I work and am located in London, I don't need to buy back home just yet.
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Hi all
Looking for opinions on something.
In 2006, I purchased a house in Northern Ireland (sold it in early 2008 but that's another story) and I never received a solicitor's bill. It's five years ago now so I cannot recall the exact details but the solicitor had made a number of very basic mistakes through the process, with the result that I threatened to report him to the Law Society and I presumed that, given he'd realised that he made mistakes, had decided not to invoice me.
Anyway, move the clock forward 5 years and I've now received the invoice, together with a covering letter stating, "We are closing off old files and note that we have not yet furnished you with an invoice in this matter." That's all fine and, despite the length of time that has transpired, I'm happy to pay a reasonable amount for the work.
However, the total amount seems very high to me for a £195,000 house purchase, esp. as I had previously bought some houses and recall much lower amounts. If it's a reasonable amount, I will pay it but would appreciate views of others here, in particular any who have completed house purchases in NI over recent years.
The invoice, in total, is for £2,726.25 and broken down by:
- Professional fee to cover all our work in connection with the purchase: £1,950
- VAT @ 17.5%: £341.25
- Paid land registry fees: £385
- Paid postage & petty outlay: £50
As I said, if that's the going rate, then I'll glady pay it but seems on high side to me and would appreciate other views?
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Thanks Voice of Reason - much appreciated.
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Hi all
This is hopefully a straightforward question and I think that what I propose to do is compliant with the ISA rules but am just looking for confirmation of this.
I recently moved back to the UK from abroad and am a permanent resident here again. I have had a number of ISA accounts with various providers over the years, including one with my current account provider (Bank A).
A month or two ago, during the 2011/12 tax year, I opened a Cash ISA online with another bank (Bank B) because the rate was better and I thought it would be convenient to transfer sums to that account as I prefer to save on an ad-hoc basis. Bank B assigned me an account number and provided me with an ATM card and, in theory, I can make subscriptions to it but I have not done so yet i.e. the account balance is £0 and there have been no transactions in the account to date.
I had been intending to transfer money to this ISA but I'm finding Bank B's online process cumbersome at best and their online site rather unuser friendly. Therefore, I'd prefer not to save into this ISA and, rather, to use my ISA allowance within my exisiting Cash ISA in Bank A. The interest rate is a bit lower but, given the annual ISA limits, that is not overly material to me and I want convenience.
I'm confident that I am allowed to do this, given that although Bank B opened the ISA, I haven't made any subscriptions to it yet. Does anyone know categorically if this is the case?
Many thanks
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Looks like we need a couple of weeks with a camper van to explore everywhere. I am coming around to the idea of getting some contracting work there then exploring different areas whilst I am there.
What's the North like for Electronics and Software work?
I will have to also have to find out about the dodgey area up North, you know the places where there seems to be spontaniuos rioting and street fighting from time to time.
Khards - I think that Northern Ireland is a great place to live (so long as you have mobility and a reasonable job) and I'll return to live there in due course when I'm slowing down on my career. However, you seem to be thinking about relocating to the island of Ireland (whether Rep of Ireland or Northern Ireland) for the wrong reasons i.e. you seem to be looking for a house and then deciding to live there which is the wrong way around i.e. what you should do is decide where you want to live, weigh up all the pros and cons and then live there for a while before commiting to buying a property.
Furthermore, given the housing market across Ireland, there is no need to rush into buying anything as prices won't be going up in real terms for some considerable time.
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My question concerns negative equity. Im aware that a couple of years after purchasing that the house may be worth a bit less. Whats the practical consequences of going to refix a mortgage and being in negative equity
If you come off an initial deal and you find yourself in negative equity (or a very high Loan-to-Value ratio - certainly anything over 90% LTV but lower in the case of many lenders in today's environment), then you will typically be switched to the lender's Standard Variable Rate (SVR) mortgage.
SVR mortgages will invariably be priced higher than most other offers but remain low by historic standards i.e. quite a few lenders have SVRs below 4% at the moment.
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Very interesting - so Northern Bank may be pulling in some bad debts.
I think that the problems are more concentrated in National Irish Bank (i.e Northern's Rep of Ireland equivalent). Northern has been relatively conservative as compared to Ulster and Bank of Ireland in NI in recent years, esp in relation to lending to property developers.
National Irish, on the other hand, was deliberately aggressive on both the corporate (ie property development lending) and personal mortgages sides of their business - in an effort to significantly increase their market share. Of course, this aggressive expansion was undertaken at the worst possible time.
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Being totally honest here, I get very frustrated by this sort of thread .... not because there are people who have pre-bought new build apartments and are looking for constructive advice nor because there are people giving advice (whether I perceive it to be sensible or not) and not because of anyone who is gloating.
Rather, my frustration is down to a sense, rightly or wrongly, that most of the purchasers of the under-construction apartments appear to lack the courage / morality to approach the developers themselves and advise of their issues and, rather, are waiting for others to do it and then act .... or feel the need to hide behind an anonymus pressure group to do this for them.
We are all adults and we assume contractual liability when we reach the legal age of adulthood .... confront the situation head on like a grown-up man or woman should.
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Are those figures correct? I always thought house prices in NI pretty much doubled between 05 - 06? Around 50% each year.
The figures quoted are probably realistic enough i.e. show house prices increased to 215% of their end 2003 levels over the three years from 2004 to 2006. If I'm correct, some of the very high house price growth was in the first quarter (and maybe the second quarter) of 2007.
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cans of worms being opened in the ROI "Revealed inside story of anglos deposits"
http://www.tribune.ie/article/2009/feb/22/...sits-anglos-cu/
The key issue at present is the list of 10 business leaders who obtained loans from Anglo to purchase shares in the company @ a combined $500m or so.
There are increasingly strong rumours that one of the 10 is a government minister
Enda Kenny, the Fine Gael (opposition) leader may have some info that he has yet to reveal ....
Meanwhile, RBS announce their results this coming Thursday. It will be interesting to see how Ulster Bank did during 2008, given their concentration on the property market, both North and South.
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Speaking of which - I've read in quite a few places that the best pure investment for a foreigner to make is to buy 1-bed condos in Manila either in Makati or Ortigas, which can then be rented out for returns of up to 10% pa. As long as your purchasing exposure is low (say 1-2mill php) then it may well be worth having a go at that sector of the market. Also, I've noted there is a serious lack of secure, quality 2-3 bed condos available in the short term market - something that would be useful for balikbayans and their families visiting Manila.
One other point I'd mention is that, if you are looking to maximise return on investment, then its best to buy an older resale condo. Prices tend to be noticeably lower than the newer buildings, yet the rents tend to hold up pretty well.
Gross rental income of 15%+ is not unheard of in Metro Manila .... though once management charges and so on are discounted, its tends to be 10% max. That said, the pressure on rents is downwards (for example, average rents declined in 2008) and there are quite a few unlet units.
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Did anyone notice the Management Charge quoted in the link above for St George's, unless there's a typo it states £235pm = £2820 per year.. I could understand £235 per qtr but per month on top of rates, mortgage etc?
For transparency all adverts for Apts should show the Management Charge, some do - though I don't think they are duty bound/obliged to.
I wouldn't be too surprised at a management charge of £235 per month i.e. those charges are typically calculated on a per square feet basis and, at over 2,000 square feet, its in the region of three times the size of an average unit in the development.
Nice apartment building ..... When I lived in Belfast, I had agreed the purchase of a three-bedroom unit there in 2005 (I was intending to live in it), before the seller pulled out at contractual signing stage citing "personal reasons". A month or two later, the same unit was on the market for £95k above the price I had agreed.
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Speaking of which - I've read in quite a few places that the best pure investment for a foreigner to make is to buy 1-bed condos in Manila either in Makati or Ortigas, which can then be rented out for returns of up to 10% pa. As long as your purchasing exposure is low (say 1-2mill php) then it may well be worth having a go at that sector of the market. Also, I've noted there is a serious lack of secure, quality 2-3 bed condos available in the short term market - something that would be useful for balikbayans and their families visiting Manila.
I own a number of small condos in Makati and, personally, rent a large unit at Shang Tower @ Legaspi, Makati.
For pure rental / investment purposes, I think that Cityland and DMCI are worth considering i.e. reputable companies that have a proven track record of delivering properties on time and within budget. Cityland recently completed projects in both Makati and Ortigas.
Presently, there is very little in Makati at the sub 2m level (though Belton Square is one such development) as the new developments tend to charge 90k psm minimum rising to 150k psq. That said, the resale market is subdued and it may be possible to get something @ the sub-2m range in an older building (for example, Skyland Plaza). Another building worth considering for Ortigas (though technically outside the city) is GA Tower [completed] or, GA Sky Suites [under development - great building but high density].
I am currently invested in a 146 sqm 3 bedroom unit in Legaspi, Makati called KL Mosiac .... it fronts Legaspi Park:
Is it a good investment? Probably not (esp with the high rate of the Peso), but its primarily a lifestyle purchase, rather than an investment and I've entered it with my eyes open (I know the area, know the company etc). Its developed by Brittany which is headed by Manny Villar, a well known politician who has announced he is running for the Philippines Presidency next year. Given that most Presidential candidates get assasinated or arrested, I'm unsure how that will impact the development
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Why oh why the Philippines simply will not improve their tourism infrastructure to bring in foreigners (as Thailand does) and thereby generate much needed foreign income is a national disgrace. Anti-foreigner protectionism and the total stranglehold operated by the big Philippine taipans is a big part of this problem. The whole tourist market needs opening up and liberating to let the money flow.
I agree 100% ... though I do think that things are (slowly) improving. I don't get to Boracay or Palawan very often - although there is certainly significant infrastructural investment in both. In addition, whilst not a tourist destination, the Metro Manila skyline is slowly growing into one of the best in S.E. Asia.
That said, and despite my personal pro-Philippines leanings, I'd caution anyone against investing in Philippines real estate if its purely for investment reasons. You might as well play roulette ....
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Outside the gated resorts and condos on Mactan, the place is a tip - full of squatters, garbage heaps, poor roads - a fitting advertisement for the amateurish efforts of Philippines tourism.
If I were to spend any money in SE Asia to invest in tourist facilities it would be in either Thailand or Malaysia. In both countries, the tourism product is better developed and more foreigner-friendly (particularly Malaysia) than the Philippines, and there is less sense of overt corruption.
Don't get me wrong - I love the Philippines (married 15years to a Filipina) but the place is ust total chaos when it comes to getting business done. Charming people for sure - but they have the talent for fleecing foreigners off to a fine art.
John
I (as a property owner in both Thailand and Philippines) agree with most of what you say. The one aspect I'd disagree with is the "sense of overt corruption." Don't get me wrong - I agree that there is such a sense in the Philippines. Its just that I believe the corruption is every bit as bad, if not worse, in Thailand.
Perhaps I am mistaken ... or maybe its that the Thais can disguise it better.
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http://www.propertynews.com/brochure.php?r...=1&sort=h2l
4 bed
on the river
bt1
what do people think this is worth?
Hence, what value does that put on titanic 2 beds?!
Surprised that its quoted as 1,600sq ft, even allowing for the fact that its 4 bedrooms. Most of the apartments in that particular building are much less generous in terms of space.
Not sure what price its worth but the building wasn't particularly well finished nor has it been very well maintained. However, George's Harbour, in very close proximity to St Johns Wharf, would probably be a better guide. I see there is a duplex apartment there over 2,000 sq ft in size at an asking price of £300k, which obviously suggests an aspirational price of £150 per sq ft:
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There was a very misleading article in today's "Bricks & Mortar", the weekly properly supplement published in The Times (the UK paper, not the Irish one) each Friday.
It had a two-page spread entitled, "Focus on ... Belfast" in which it claimed that "the catastrophic fall in house prices in Belfast began to slow towards the end of the year, contrary to the trend elsewhere."
Strangest of all was the graph accompanying the article which illustrated that the average house price in Belfast decreased by 5.20% from Sept '07 to Sept '08 and that the average house price in Northern Ireland decreased by 15.10% over the same period. Unfortunately, no source was quoted for these statistics
As an aside, under an adjacent nightlife column, it mentioned that Muriel's is a good pub in Belfast for a relaxing pint ..... I've never even heard of Muriel's so I've obviously been away from the city for too long
Bass Buildings At Rv
in Northern Ireland
Posted
Bass Buildings was looking incredibly tired by 2007 / 2008 so suspect it is even worse now than then.