Thinking of buying a derelict property to create your dream home? Here’s what you need to know

Thinking of buying a derelict property to create your dream home? Here’s what you need to know

From Better With Money by The Irish Times

September 8, 2026 · 33 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the potential of vacant and derelict properties as a pathway to home ownership for first-time buyers, featuring insights from renovation expert Rachael Uí Bhaoill and SEAI's Stephen Farrell on available grants.

As "Cheap Irish Homes" returns to TV screens, Better with Money explores whether vacant and derelict properties could actually offer a route to home ownership for first-time buyers, or would it be a rookie mistake to take on a "fixer-upper" that big? Rachael Uí Bhaoill – aka @the.renovation.strategist - believes it’s “absolutely doable” adding her own first home was “a dump” she bought in recession. Now she flips properties and advises clients on renovations through her company Spreag.ie . The former corporate banker shares how she does it with "financials first" approach, warning she won't even let her clients browse Pinterest before they've had a reality check with their mortgage lender. Also on the podcast, SEAI programme manager Stephen Farrell outlines the grants available for energy upgrades, including retrofit supports worth up to €35,000 through the One-Stop Shop scheme. These can be availed of before works begin, making the move more accessible to those on smaller budgets. Presented by Aideen Finnegan. This episode is for information purposes only and does not constitute advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People in this episode

Host: Aideen Finnegan

Guests: Rachael Uí Bhaoill, Stephen Farrell

Topics covered

  • property ownership
  • renovation
  • first-time buyers
  • energy upgrades
  • financial advice

Keywords

  • cheap Irish homes
  • property ladder
  • fixer-upper
  • mortgage lender
  • energy grants

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Spreag.ie, SEAI, The Irish Times

Places: Ireland

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