Lower buyer turnout at Cork's Bayly housing development

The second phase of a housing development in Douglas, Cork, saw much lower turnout than last year. This phase of the Bayly development had fewer than 300 visitors by 11 AM today. In contrast, over 1,000 buyers attended the first phase last June. Last year, people queued for hours, with some even camping overnight for a chance to buy a home. This time, potential buyers found more parking spaces available. From the estimated 20 to 30 homes for sale, many are aimed at first-time buyers and families looking to downsize. Quality assurance specialist Conor Healy, who viewed properties today, shared that he and his partner were nervous about waiting too long to buy due to rising prices. Some buyers noted the decline in visitors compared to last year, suspecting that there might be less available money in the market now. Still, one buyer successfully purchased a home after queuing overnight. Others expressed interest in larger homes in a good area, despite the high prices ranging from €475,000 to €500,000. The Bayly development will eventually consist of 472 units, part of a larger plan for up to 1,500 homes in the area. These sales mark the first offering from the publicly listed housebuilder Cairn, which received fast-track planning approval for the site in 2015. Interested buyers need to pay deposits soon to secure their properties.