First-time buyer couples on two incomes are still finding it difficult to purchase a home in Dublin, even when they use State supports such as the Government's Help to Buy scheme. The latest indication is that affordability remains a major obstacle in the capital, where prices continue to outpace what many households can realistically borrow and repay.
The pressure is not limited to Dublin city. The problem also appears to extend into surrounding counties, suggesting that buyers looking farther out for better value are still facing a challenging market. For many couples, support measures can reduce some of the upfront cost, but they do not fully bridge the gap between earnings and asking prices.
The report highlighted by the Society of Chartered Surveyors points to a broader mismatch between incomes, lending limits and the cost of available homes. That leaves many first-time buyers in a difficult position: they may qualify for assistance and still be unable to secure a suitable property within reach of their jobs and daily lives.
The findings add to concerns about the effectiveness of existing housing supports in high-cost areas. While schemes such as Help to Buy can make a difference at the margins, the wider affordability crisis in Dublin and nearby counties continues to weigh heavily on couples trying to get onto the property ladder.
