The Real Estate Alliance group has expanded its growing network by acquiring the long-established Sherry FitzGerald Walsh business in Charleville, Co Cork.
Limerick-based REA Dooley, headed by Pat Dooley, has taken over the business, in operation in the North Cork town since 1999.
Pat Dooley has been in the property business for 25 years and founded Dooley Group in 2009, opening its first office in Limerick City in 2012, followed by Newcastle West in 2019.
The Charleville office will have a vastly experienced team: alongside Pat will be Derry Walsh (former director Sherry FitzGerald Walsh) and Cathy Dunne (administration and property management), together with North Cork resident Jane Foley, who has been with REA Dooley for a decade.
Derry Walsh opened the auctioneering business in 1999 and joined the Sherry Fitzgerald franchise in 2002.
“This is a fantastic addition to our group, and there is no doubt that the marketing and branding strength of REA, allied to our local knowledge, has given us to the confidence to acquire such a long-standing business in the Cork market,” said Mr Dooley.
REA Dooley deals with sales, lettings and valuations in all property sectors – residential, agricultural and commercial.
“While residential is our main business, our portfolio of agricultural listings is ever increasing,” said Mr Dooley.
“I am from a farming background and many of our REA members would have agricultural sales as their forte which enables us to benefit from combined advertising in media.
“The land market is similar to the residential sector at the moment where you have high demand meeting low supply.
“The average price of good grazing land in the Limerick and North Cork area is around €14,000 per acre – a figure that has increased steadily over the last number of years. While milk and cattle prices remain steady, land values will continue to be strong.”
Residential property prices in the area are continuing to rise month on month due to a shortage of supply, according to Mr Dooley.
“The first-time buyer market in North Cork is particularly strong but unfortunately the supply of property is nowhere near where it needs to be,” he said.
“There is no new housing being built to cater for the private market in Charleville at present.
“First-time buyers are grappling with the second hand listings that arise out of either a landlord exiting the rental market or probate sales.
“The trader upper market is also there but can be very much chain dependent at times where the trader upper has to sell before they buy.
As part of the REA group, REA Dooley offers different options of selling for clients.
“Alongside private treaty sales, we also offer a private treaty online bidding platform (bidnow.ie) which allows any registered bidder access to bid on our website 24/7 if the vendor chooses this option,” said Mr Dooley.
“We also offer an online auction service and a hybrid public/online auction which is quite popular for agricultural sales.
“As part of REA, we have a highly developed marketing strategy incorporating professional photography, videography and drone work on all of our advertising platforms.
“Our social media platforms are highly effective and our portfolio is showcased and targeted on a daily basis.
“We also have the benefit of connecting potential vendors and purchasers through our now multi-branch set-up in Limerick and Cork.
“Joining REA was a game changer for us. It has given us access to professional marketing tools, national PR and survey coverage and group buying power and low cost advertising.
“REA are an expanding group where everyone puts on the jersey and nobody gets left behind.”
