Selling a home in Ireland involves a series of legal, financial and practical steps — from valuing your property and appointing a solicitor to managing offers and completing contracts. To make the process clear and manageable, we’ve created a detailed 10-step guide to selling your home in Ireland. It walks you through: How to value your property accurately When to appoint a solicitor What documents you need before going to market How to choose the right estate agent How offers work in Ireland When a sale becomes legally binding What happens between sale agreed and closing Whether you are selling your principal home or an investment property, following a structured approach helps reduce delays and avoid common pitfalls.

A sale becomes legally binding only when: Both parties sign the contracts The signed contracts are exchanged At that point: The buyer pays a 10% deposit (less any booking deposit already paid) Withdrawal may result in financial penalties There is no cooling-off period after contracts are exchanged.

Typical timelines: Preparation stage: 2–8 weeks Marketing to sale agreed: 4–10 weeks (market dependent) Sale agreed to closing: 6–12+ weeks Total timeline: Often 3–6 months, depending on complexity and market conditions. Delays are most commonly caused by: Planning compliance issues Title complications Mortgage approval delays Chain dependency

Costs vary but typically include: Estate agent commission (1%–2.5% of property value) Marketing costs (a rough guide is ~1% of property value if maximising return) Solicitor fees (up to €3,000 depending on complexity) BER assessment (up to €300) Capital Gains Tax (if not your Principal Private Residence) Mortgage redemption fees (if applicable) Budgeting early helps prevent surprises later.

Yes. Until contracts are signed, either party may withdraw from the sale.

A booking deposit is a refundable deposit paid to the estate agent to secure the property before contracts are signed.

Fixtures are attached items (usually included in the sale) Fittings are free-standing items (usually excluded unless specified)

The seller must ensure Local Property Tax (LPT) is paid up to date before closing.

If your property is rented: You must comply with Residential Tenancies legislation Notice periods depend on tenancy duration From March 2026, larger landlords (four or more tenancies) face additional restrictions when selling Always seek legal advice before serving notice.

If the property is your Principal Private Residence, you are generally exempt from CGT. CGT may apply if the property is: A rental property A holiday home An inherited property Professional tax advice is recommended.