Property ladder can be a real rollercoaster ride

TELL us a little bit about yourself:

I’m from Ballynoe, in East Cork, and I am a co-director of an estate agency company called Auctioneera.

Over my career, I have worked in insurance, business sales, digital marketing, and PR.

Almost six years ago, I started Auctioneera with my colleague Eddie O’Driscoll, from Bishopstown.

Visit Auctioneera here.

We would be considered a disrupter in the estate agency industry, because we charge property sellers a fixed fee as opposed to a commission (percentage of the property sale) like other agencies.

We started the company because we strongly believe that people do not need to pay high commission based fees to sell their house or apartment.

The journey has been a rollercoaster, but I wouldn’t change a thing!

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

Auctioneera is all consuming and I tend to have a busy five days during the week — whether it’s in Dublin or in Cork city — so when it comes to Friday night, it’s one of my favourite times of the week. I like to relax at home with a drink (or two) and watch some TV.

Lie ins or up with the lark ... which is it for you?

I’ve always been an early riser — it was instilled in me from my parents.

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

At Auctioneera we host viewings six days a week, and Saturday is probably the busiest day. I have been known to drive from East Cork to Dublin at the last minute on a Saturday — just to host one viewing.

If something happens, such as an agent is sick at short notice on a Saturday, it’s non-negotiable to cancel the viewing as we pride ourselves on our customer service.

If money was no object where would you head to on a weekend city break? And who would you bring with you?

It’s expensive, but I daydream (and watch many YouTube videos) about a trip on the Orient Express.

You can do a two-night trip from London to Venice and I can only imagine how amazing an experience it would be. I’d bring my husband Tim, although he’s not as excited about train trips as I am!

Closer to home, is there some place you like to head to recharge the batteries?

East Cork is underrated in my opinion on a number of levels, and I love to go to Ballycotton for the cliff walk and lunch in the village.

It’s also hard to beat a walk along the boardwalk in Youghal or a stroll through beautiful Glenbower Woods in Killeagh. In the summer, my perfect Sunday is a morning visit to the market in Ardmore, Co Waterford, followed by time on the beach.

Do you like to catch up with family/friends at the weekend?

Absolutely — I have a large extended family so we’re used to having lots of people visit. I also love meeting up with friends at weekends, whether it’s in the city or visiting people’s houses.

Do you get to indulge any hobbies? Even as a spectator?

I love to attend GAA matches for my local club, St Catherine’s, including when my young nephews are playing — although I get nervous watching them!

I am also a member of our local athletics club where I’m a repeat attendee of their “Couch to 5K” training.

I love to cook and I like to attempt a new recipe at least once a month, but I get really annoyed with myself if it doesn’t turn out like I expect.

Entertain or be entertained? If it’s the latter do you have a signature dish?

Both! In terms of a signature dish, I like to try something different and I am try to be conscious of peoples’ varying tastes … but my signature cocktail is a Whiskey Sour.

We have so many places to eat out in Cork — where are your go to spots for coffee/ lunch/ special meal?

I was really sad to hear of the closing of the Farm Gate Restaurant, in Midleton, as it would have been my favourite lunch spot in East Cork.

In Cork city, for lunch — it has to be Bocelli for consistency and service. Coffee in Midleton would be in The Grumpy Bakers; in the city — it would be Cork Coffee Roasters. For a special occasion meal, I don’t think Greenes on MacCurtain St can be beaten.

Sunday night comes around too fast ... how do you normally spend it?

Early to bed, because Monday is probably our busiest day on phone calls at Auctioneera. I like to be fresh on Mondays and get to my desk at 7.45am.

What time does your alarm clock go off on Monday morning?

For many years, I’ve been lucky enough to work from home a few days a week. But if I’m in the office in the city centre, my alarm goes off at 6am and I don’t believe in a snooze button.

Anything else you are up to right now...

Auctioneera is very focused on growth into 2024, but other than that, anyone who has bought or sold a property might have experienced delays and frustrations with conveyancing — which is the legal part of a property sale.

While estate agency remains our main focus, we’re also working on a legal software business called ConveyanceTracker.ie. Its goal is to help streamline the conveyancing process. It’s already a three-year project, but we’re very close to launch and the initial reaction to it within the legal industry has been incredible.

However, for 2024, we want to spread the word of our fixed fee estate agency service to the masses in Cork and around the country.