Hi Liam, my husband and I are US citizens and would love to purchase a vacation/holiday home in Ireland which would be a dream come true. One of the criteria we have to make this work is that we would like to have 2 units on the lot. We would rent one out, then use the other for our personal use when we vacation there 2-3 times a year. We would most likely have about 50% Down payment and wondering what type of hoops & loops we'd have to hurdle to make our dream come true. I'm so glad I found your site and hoping to learn some good advice, tips and insights! Thank you! Karen

Hi Elaine, we've discussed this in the past here, and I remember it WAs nothing but trouble really. If you WAnt to use the TV for programming etc. it will most likely have problems. However from what I recall if you WAnt to use it for DVDs only it would probably work for that. I will try to track Down the information that we had before and post the link here to it. welcome to the site 🙂 Liam

Thanks for the reply Liam. The only WAy to get the deportation notice revoked is to write to the repatriation office in Dublin, Which we have done - 4 times. Not once have we had a reply. Really bizarre situation. So i think we may go Down the solicitor route as we have booked our flights and arrive in Ireland in June

Hi David, Not so sure about the need to rent for 6 months. I would definitely check all the banks before going Down that route. Maybe one or 2 may be willing to lend to you if they look favourably on your financial history elsewhere in the EU. You might also WAnt to try a broker or 2 for that purpose. You may be surprised with your number or responses, but in my own personal experience it's the norm. Estate agents are notoriously difficult to deal with and get hold of in Ireland. Honestly, my own experience with 3 or 4 of them WAs terrible. It shouldn't be ...

The driving test is done in an urban area, no need to worry about being taken Down single lane country roads! If you're driving in Dublin you'll obviously need to WAtch for the luas as it shares some roads with other vehicles. On some of these roads is can be quite easy to drive into an area meant only for trams and get into trouble so look out for signs saying 'trams only'. Even if you have experience driving elsewhere, make sure to get driving lessons with an instructor that knows the area you will be doing the test in. Many of the instructors will know w ...

@cvannest like Ronnie said, it's not necessary to have your husband with you going through customs at the airport. But he will need to be with you when you meet your local immigration officer since he holds the EU citizenship. I have read about horror stories with immigration officers at the airports questioning people about the validity of their marriage, but honestly I think it rarely happens. We have gone through customs at both Shannon and Dublin and the immigration officers at both were so Down to earth and were making jokes about our names and if we were the Blue Bloods family. I forgot to ask, do you have your PPS number? You will need that before you apply for your GNIB card.

Sorry to start a new topic on the subject of mortgages. I know we have quite a few others, but I didn't know where to fit this one in, and maybe it's important enough to be deserving of it's own topic. Essentially the new mortgage changes for first time buyer boil Down to the following: First-time buyers will now be able to borrow any amount with a deposit of 10%, provided they meet other lending criteria. I'm going to publish a few links below to further reading. Also, independent.ie published a graphic on the topic. I hope I don't get burned for posting that here, but it really helps explain your options....

I will be relocating to Ireland next year from California. My two large dogs (my family) absolutely must come with me. I plan to drive them from CA to Boston simply so they have the least amount of time possible on an airline. I WAs told that Aer Lingus requires a pet transportation company. I contacted them and they seem quite nice although expensive. To tell you the true I don't care what the cost is as long as I receive my pets safe and sound. I have some months still to make arrangements so I'm exploring. I am unsure whether the pet transport company is ...

... If we WAnted to get married next year, next month.... doesn't matter. We're pretty much good to go at this point! I'll keep Updates coming, but this will probably be the last one for a while until we nail Down a date for the ceremony. If anyone has questions, please definitely let me know! Happy to help!! Kelsey

A long time ago I WAs told a philosophy of - Up to 6 months you rent Up to 3 years you lease And you buy if it is going to be longer than that. The numbers will vary, but buying a home and putting Down roots requires more certainty than 12 months.