Derelict house prices across the region have doubled according to a local auctioneer.
Dermot Conlon from REA Gunne Property in Carrickmacross says while the Croí Cónaithe Vacant Homes Refurbishment housing initiative has been great, prices have increased.
The Co Monaghan auctioneer said that he was seeing some properties that hadn't been lived in for up on 70 years was now costing up on 100k. Prior to the scheme being launched the same property would have been costing 50k.
Under the Croí Cónaithe Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant €50,000 is available to homebuyers to refurbish a home which they will live in. Where a property is derelict, a maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 will be available, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000.
Dermot says even though you need the money up-front, the scheme acts like a bonus for would be buyers.
