Local developers exorcise Irish ghost estates

摘要

Ten of Ireland's symbolic "ghost estates" have been auctioned off for almost double the reserve price, marking the start of a recovery in the country's residential sector. Mothballed and unoccupied housing schemes, which became emblematic of the Celtic Tiger's demise over the past five years, are beginning to "find a market" for the first time, auctioneers at Allsop Space observe. Since July 2012, when the first of Ireland's ghost estates was tentatively put up for sale, local developers and builders have begun snapping up opportunities to buy and build out the schemes. Fourteen homes and their 3.03 acre development site at Annagh Banks in Castlemaine, County Kerry, were put up for auction with a €50,000 reserve last July and sold for €235,000 - €185,000 above reserve.