The start-up scene across County Wexford right now is impressive. So, not only do we have the most hours of sunshine per year here in the ‘Sunny South East’, we are also gaining a reputation for innovation amongst business start-ups in the region.

No fewer than five start-ups secured a high level of investment from Enterprise Ireland over the past 18 months and among them were four high potential start-ups companies (HPSUs). In case you are unaware, High Potential Start-Ups (HPSUs) are start-up businesses with the potential to create at least 10 jobs and €1million in sales within three to four years of starting up. The investment and obvious belief in these start-ups from the South East Region is a strong indicator of the entrepreneurial activity in the region and it promises to get even better.

Of course, Wexford has a vibrant tech start-up scene with companies such as SONRU and SCURRI originating in the county. Furthermore, these Wexford based companies have significantly expanded both nationally and internationally in recent years. Datapac is based in Wexford too and it is Ireland’s largest native ICT solutions and services provider. The company recently became a HP Platinum Partner for Printing and Computing in Ireland, which is the highest level of HP Partner accreditation, proving that business is booming in Wexford and this is heartening. However, it isn’t just big tech companies that are recognising the benefits of Wexford and all that it offers…

Co-working is growing in popularity and it is another fantastic option available in Wexford for remote workers or freelancers. The area offers ample opportunities in starting at business and though some small business owners prefer to work from home, many are seeing the advantages of co-working.  While starting a business in the home seems appealing to start ups initially, the remoteness and distraction or isolations soon pushes people to look for a space outside the home.  The trouble is that these can be expensive but, across County Wexford, but particularly in Gorey, we are actively building communities of people who work together and build relationships with like-minded people, thanks to the team at The Hatch Lab. It can be fundamentally beneficial to businesses too, as many choose to collaborate, share ideas and support one another while socialising too. It is growing in popularity throughout Ireland and this is indicative of a larger global trend.

The South East Region is already home to approximately 70 foreign-owned multinational companies therefore, Wexford is attractively positioned to support further growth in the shape of tech start-ups. It is fair to say that the area offers a competitive platform across commercial property, salary, rates and the cost of living when compared to Dublin or regional cities. Tech companies are choosing smaller locations as these companies understand that not every professional wants to live in the city either. Wexford offers a more affordable cost of living and this alone is a winning formula for attracting companies, employers and of course, employees to the area. It helps that we are close to the beach and have a host of walking trails and leisure facilities on our doorstep, offering the ultimate work/life balance!

Statistically, property is at least 30% less expensive than in Dublin or indeed, some of the bigger commuter-belt counties. Skilled workers are looking for more options and turning to smaller, less populated counties in order to settle down and raise their families. Raising a family in Wexford is a dream with its many schools, family friendly activities and numerous schools. It also benefits from being within 50 minutes to an hour of Dublin’s M50.

It is great to see the area being recognised for creativity and innovation amongst a new generation of start-ups.  Certainly, as a region, we are proud to showcase the local benefits for new potential businesses and residents. The future is looking bright for County Wexford!

If you are considering buying or selling in the South Wicklow and North Wexford areas in 2018, call into one of our offices (located in Carnew and Gorey) and chat to any of our expert team or you can contact us online at kinsellaestates.ie. We are happy to facilitate overseas buyers and sellers via Skype or similar, outside of regular office hours.

Alternatively, email me directly on michael@kinsellaestates.ie or telephone : +353 53 94 21718

The question of whether or not buying the show house is a good idea is an on-going debate and certainly, there are pros and cons but experienced buyers know that the long term advantages tend to out-weigh any of the short term disadvantages.

So, what are the disadvantages of buying a showhouse?

You might need to wait for a few months before closing and moving into the property.  In other markets, particularly in the US, a buyer might close the purchase and then agree to lease the property back to developer for the sales period, which could be up to two years.  This does not happen in the Irish market, in fact, most developments would only use their show house  for a few months or  a year for phase one.  It is common for developers to sell one show house and simply kit out another so two show houses in the space of a year or two years is not unusual and can work well for both the developers and the buyers.

Another perceived disadvantage is that the site adjacent to the showhouse is often used for car parking so it can be busy/noisy at times.  Again, this is a very temporary inconvenience.

As anyone who has ever bought a home in the early stages of a new development launch will know, the show house is highly sought after and generally commands a higher price.

What are the advantages of buying a showhouse?

There are multiple reasons for this but the main one is that the show house is generally finished to an excellent quality, beautifully styled and furnished with top end, luxury  brands that the developer writes off as a promotion and marketing expense so the full (trade) cost is not passed on to the new buyer.

Also, at a more basic level, all new developments up -sell ‘extras’  that a buyer can pay for if they want a higher specification throughout.  This is always demonstrated throughout the showhouse so  you can expect that it comes equipped with the highest specification available.

There is nothing standard about a showhouse.

The kitchen, including worktops and light fittings are invariably top quality.  This is also true of flooring, however, do remember that what is visually beautiful might not always be practical for families (cream carpeting comes to mind!).

In addition to the high-end finish, showhouses are a feast for interior design enthusiasts with opulent furnishings that a buyer might never be able to buy at the early stages of buying a home.  In most cases, the house is sold with everything included, right down to the bed linen, duvet covers and soft furnishings like cushions and table lamps.

Mirrors are a surprising expense for new homeowners and most showhouses use them throughout the house to enhance the light and space available.

Outside the house, the garden is usually architecturally landscaped in a low-maintenance finish (very important for busy families).

In the short-term, showhouses tend not to give new owners  the same teething problems as standard new homes as settling cracks are dealt with as they arise – the sales agent will always ensure the showhouse is kept in top condition throughout its use.  The same principle applies to snaglist issues.  These are generally dealt with as soon as they are identified.

For many buyers, the convenience is irresistible.  You can walk into your new home with a only suitcase and there’s no waiting around.

In the long term, as the glossy interior of any home fades over a few years, the showhouse quality will generally stand the test of time.

We are currently listing a former showhouse and the high-quality fit-out is still evident throughout.

1 Woodlands Drive, Gorey, County Wexford is a superb four bedroom detached home and garden, in excellent condition throughout (asking price €235,000).