Reflecting Ireland: Attitudes towards Housing and Homeownership
11 April 2025
Ireland has had a complex relationship with homeownership over the centuries, resulting in an enduring sense of importance and intrinsic value of owning your own home. Whilst we really value owning a home as a nation, the housing and rental crisis has made this dream more challenging for some. In this report we examine homeownership in 2025; how important it is, how achievable it is and our priorities for finding the perfect home.
Attitudes towards housing in Ireland
Ireland is a nation which aspires to be homeowners. More than 6 in 10 strongly agree that owning a home is very important to them.
Long-term renting is not the preferred option for Irish adults with only a third (35%) saying renting long-term suits people like them, however, this rises to over half (53%) of 18-24 year olds.
The Irish public are acutely aware of the difficulties faced in the pursuit of owning a home with many in agreement that it’s not easy (72%) and that house prices are only going in one direction – up (68%). More than 2 in 3 strongly believe future generations will find it harder to own a home. Illustrating this is the finding that 63% of 18–24 year olds don’t think they will ever be in a position to purchase a home. This drops to 51% of 25-34 year olds.
Almost 1 in 5 never considered social housing but would now due to difficulties in buying a home.
Just under half (46%) of those in the market to buy a home would consider availing of social housing.
Buying a home
After price and size of property, garden space, energy efficiency and proximity to family are most important when buying a home.
Those in the market for a home are more likely to overestimate the level of difficulty associated with the process versus reality, particularly when it comes to getting mortgage approval.
Trust and reputation are the second most important factor when choosing a mortgage provider, after rate.
Most are aware of housing schemes but familiarity is low. The Help to Buy Scheme has the highest level of awareness followed closely by the HAP scheme for renters. There is a sizable gap in awareness between the Help to Buy Scheme and other home buyer schemes such as the First Home Scheme and Local Authority Purchase Scheme.
Half of those in the market are looking for homes under €350k. First time buyers are significantly more likely to have a budget of under €250,000 while second time buyers are most likely to have a budget of between 350- 450k.
Only 41% of first time buyers have saved enough for a deposit on their home. 33% have some savings in place but not enough for a deposit, while 25% have yet to start saving. 1 in 3 of those in the market to buy a home say they are relying on their family, through gifts or inheritances.
Homeowner spotlight
1 in 4 property owners are not aware of their property’s Building Energy Rating (BER).
52% don’t know their Loan-To-Value amount, with 31% of those unaware of the potential benefit to decrease mortgage repayments.
Lump sum overpayments are the method that most believe will reduce mortgage repayments.
2 in 5 mortgage holders would consider switching mortgage providers. 1 in 5 say they are not at all likely to switch providers. Inertia appears to be the main barrier with 41% saying they are happy with their current provider and 30% saying it is too much hassle.
2 in 3 homeowners said they would be more likely to retrofit if more grants were available. 6 in 10 said that better information about savings would be influential.
3 in 5 say that saving for a deposit is the most difficult part of the purchasing process.
Mood of the nation
There is a growing level of concern when it comes to economic outlook- perhaps global uncertainity is causing concern for Ireland’s future.
However, on a personal level, people are more positive, with negative sentiment about current personal situation at its lowest since January ’22.
Anxiety continues to be the most held feeling about living in Ireland today, but it is not all doom and gloom as half of adults feel positive, with optimism and happiness as the most common positive emotion.
Cost-of-living remains the dominant concern. Compared to Oct’24 there has been a slight increase in the price of housing (+3% pts) and a slight decline in access to quality healthcare (-4% pts).
The content of this blog does not constitute advice and is for general information purposes only. Readers should always seek professional advice before relying on anything stated in the blog. Some of the links above bring you to external websites. Your use of an external website is subject to the terms of that site.
| Blog
Open24