From Bidding Wars to Dream Home: Niamh's First-Time Buyer Journey
Welcome to Real Stories, Real Homes, a blog series that shines a light on the real-life experiences of first-time buyers from the First Time Buyers Ireland (The OG) Facebook group. Today, we’re sharing Niamh’s story—a journey of bidding wars, saving sacrifices, and finally getting the keys to her dream home in Dublin.
“We Got Our Keys in December!”
For Niamh and her partner, December 10th was the day everything changed. "We have just been through the whole process and are currently doing some renovations before we move in, hopefully in February," she shared. Their journey began with securing Approval in Principle (AIP) in July, going sale agreed on September 13th, and finally reaching the finish line just in time for Christmas.
The Most Challenging Part: The Bidding Wars
“We must have bid on around 12–15 houses in the space of 4–5 weeks.”
For Niamh, the bidding process was both exhausting and emotional. “We kept getting outbid, not knowing if we had bid too much or not enough. It’s fully the luck of the draw, in my opinion.”
She acknowledges that they were fortunate compared to others. “Some of my friends have been bidding for months and months. We were super lucky to find our home in 5–6 weeks, but it was non-stop every day. It took over our lives.”
Did Anything Make It Easier?
“Covid helped us save an awful lot of money.”
While the pandemic came with its challenges, it also allowed Niamh and her partner to save. Online communities like First Time Buyers Ireland (The OG) and CrazyHousePrices also proved invaluable for tips and advice.
“We got our mortgage with PTSB, but we initially used Doddl. I found them brilliant and would recommend them.”
Saving for a Deposit: Sacrifices and Strict Budgets
“I’m a good saver, so at the start, I found it fine. But juggling weddings alongside savings made the last year tough.”
The couple faced the common challenge of balancing social commitments with their savings goals. “We had 8–9 friends getting married and had to be strict. We’re also getting married ourselves in August 2025, so we had to keep that in mind too.”
Parting with such a large sum of money wasn’t easy, but for Niamh, the payoff was worth it.
“It’s what we were saving for. When we got those keys, it made everything worth it.”
Unexpected Challenges Along the Way
“The bidding wars were worse than I expected.”
Niamh had heard stories about bidding wars, but experiencing them first-hand was a shock. Once they went sale agreed, the challenges didn’t stop.
“There was radio silence for about eight weeks while the sellers tried to buy their next property. We were lucky to close before Christmas.”
One particularly nerve-wracking moment came when the sellers initially chose another couple. “They later came back to us. We still don’t know if it was a tactic by the estate agent to get us to pay more or if it was genuine. You need to have your wits about you when dealing with estate agents.”
Advice for Other Buyers
“Save as much as you can—there are always unexpected costs.”
Niamh’s advice is practical and heartfelt:
Plan for hidden expenses: “We forgot about the engineers’ report and valuation but got them done just after payday, thankfully.”
Be patient: “Keep bidding. It will be your time eventually.”
Don’t settle: “Only bid on houses you can genuinely see yourself living in. Mortgages aren’t cheap, so if a house doesn’t meet your non-negotiables, don’t waste your energy.”
“When I walked into the house we bought, I knew immediately I could live there and would love it.”
Choosing the Area
“We both grew up in the area, so we always wanted to buy here if we could.”
For Niamh and her partner, staying close to family and friends was a priority. They also care for her partner’s grandparents, which made the proximity essential. “The parks, schools, pubs, and having friends nearby made the decision easy.”
Was the Process What You Expected?
“The bidding process was nothing like we expected.”
Niamh says she was shocked by the sheer number of people at house viewings. “At one viewing, there were over 100 people. And then you’d see the same people at the next one—it was exhausting.”
On the other hand, the bank process was easier than expected. “I thought we’d be penalised for high monthly spending due to weddings, but because it didn’t affect our savings, it worked in our favour.”
Looking Ahead
As renovations progress, Niamh and her partner are counting down the days until they move into their first home. For anyone else navigating the process, her message is clear:
“It will be your time eventually. Keep bidding, save hard, and don’t settle for a house you don’t love. The effort is worth it when you get those keys in your hand.”
This blog is part of Real Stories, Real Homes, a series brought to you by the First Time Buyers Ireland (The OG) Facebook group, where real buyers share their experiences to inspire and guide others.
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