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What to look out for when viewing second hand homes

Published

5 years ago

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By Ted Healy of DNG TED HEALY

After spending so long saving for a mortgage and filling in countless application forms, you are now ready to begin your house hunting in earnest.

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Set yourself a budget and have a look to see what is available in your desired locations within that budget.
Viewing appointments can be arranged via a telephone call or a simple email to the selling agent. When making the appointment make it clear that the mortgage is in place and you are ‘ready to go’.

This week we will deal with viewing second hand homes and what to look out for on that first property viewing.

When you arrive at a house, you’ll get a general feel outside of how well it’s been maintained. Arrive early and study the exterior of the property before going in, and have a glance at neighbouring properties. This will help you to get your bearings before continuing with the viewing.

If viewing an older house, a musty smell is the first red flag for signs of damp. Also be wary of the smell of fresh paint; was this done to simply freshen the property up or what is it covering up? Is paintwork bubbling or flaking?

Take note of any wall cracking; hairline cracks in walls and ceilings are generally fine, but if you can spot a crack from the other side of the room, then it’s probably big enough to be concerned about.

In older houses, take a good look at windows and roofs. Window frames can slope downward if there are poor ground conditions underneath, and the roof of the house can sag in too.

Is there room to extend? If you are lucky enough that there is have a look for external manhole covers; it gives a good indication of the drainage and pipe layout which may complicate a future extension.

Don’t be afraid to ask the nosy questions; why is the house for sale? How long has it been on the market? How long have the current owners resided there? Has the house been rented out frequently? How many times has it changed hands in the last decade? Have there been any refurbishments? Has it been rewired/replumbed? Who are the neighbours? What is included in the selling price?

It is a good idea to take photos (with the agents consent) or videos as this will help you remember the property after you have returned home.

And finally, don’t be afraid to ask for more time. Spend as much time as you think you need to and don’t hesitate to request a second viewing.

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Killarney National Park Autumn Talks up and running

Published

4 hours ago

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9 October 2026

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Killarney National Park Autumn Talks up and running


Following a successful opening presentation by award-winning photographer James Crombie on the mesmerising starling murmuration’s of Lough Ennell, the 38th annual Killarney National Park Autumn Talks Series continues next week with a focus on Irish biodiversity.


The lineup for Thursday, October 15, features guest speaker Professor Grace McCormack of University College Galway, who will present a talk on “The Importance of Native Honeybees and Other Pollinators and Current Threats to Their Survival”.
Prof. McCormack’s address will explore the vital role native bees play in local ecosystems, the environmental pressures threatening their populations, and the conservation efforts required to ensure their survival.
Last night’s (October 8) opening talk, saw Inpho Sports Photography staff photographer James Crombie kick off the six-week series.
Crombie, named Irish Press Photographer of the Year in 2021, 2022, and 2025, shared the story behind his famous images documenting Westmeath’s starling displays, which reached millions of viewers worldwide.
The Autumn Talks Series runs weekly for six weeks in the Killarney House Auditorium (V93 HE3C) at 8.00pm. Admission is free, though seating is limited. All presentations are also live streamed via the Killarney National Park Facebook page.


MESMERISING NATURE: Multi-award-winning photographer James Crombie, who opened the 38th annual Killarney National Park Autumn Talks Series with a presentation on his famous starling murmuration photographs.

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Missing Killarney chef located dead in UK

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12 hours ago

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8 October 2026

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Missing Killarney chef located dead in UK


A 34-year search for missing former Killarney chef Patrick (Patsy) O’Sullivan ended following confirmation that he was located deceased in the UK.


Patsy was 35 years old when last seen by relatives in Lombardstown, County Cork, during the Easter Bank Holiday weekend in April 1992. At the time of his disappearance, he was working as a chef in Waterville, having previously worked across several Killarney hotels. He was scheduled to attend a family Christening shortly after returning from Kerry, but never arrived.
Despite decades of public appeals, including features on RTÉ’s Crimecall, his location remained unknown.
Investigations revealed that Patsy moved to the UK and changed his name to Patrick Aldridge in 1995, adopting the surname of his partner who passed away in 2022. He passed away from natural causes on July 5, 2024, living just over an hour away from his brother who also passed away in the UK last year.
Speaking on Cork’s 96FM, his brother Jerry O’Sullivan confirmed the family finally received closure following renewed efforts led by Garda PJ Roche and investigating officers. He noted that while unanswered questions remain about why Patsy started over fresh, the family is grateful for the work that brought final answers.
An Garda Síochána confirmed the missing person case is closed and thanked the public for their assistance over the years.


IN MEMORY: Patrick (Patsy) O’Sullivan, a native of North Cork who worked as a chef in Killarney and Waterville, went missing in April 1992 and was located deceased in the UK. Photo: Garda Press Office.

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