Mayo auctioneer on 23 years of property highs and lows

Kevin Beirne Auctioneers has been a familiar name on Tucker Street in the centre of Castlebar town for more than two decades.

Established by husband-and-wife duo Kevin and Theresa Beirne, the family-run practice has built a stellar reputation in the local property market.

The Beirne name has been synonymous with business in Castlebar for six decades, and Kevin Beirne Auctioneers has served clients across Mayo for the past 23 years.

Throughout that time, Kevin has witnessed the property market at its highest highs and lowest lows, giving him valuable insight into an industry that is constantly evolving.

“We have come out of recessions and gone into recessions in the 23 years that I have been in business. It's sad to see when the recession does come, but economies go in cycles,” he explained. “Currently we are on the crest of a wave of house prices, good for the seller, not so good for the purchaser.” ​ 

However, Kevin said today's property market differs significantly from the conditions that led to previous downturns.

“When the recession hit before in 2008, there were too many properties being built in the wrong areas. Now it's more managed. [The] Central Bank has a better claw on who gets money for what, and that's a good thing.

“Builders are restricted to building only what they can sell. Another side of things is the quality of build is a lot better now. Building regulations have made sure new homes are a lot better quality than they were 30 or 40 years ago,” he said.

Kevin has always had an interest in the property market and a keen eye for identifying good investments. He has one principle in particular that is key to his approach.

“The terminology ‘location, location, location’ is no lie. It's the most important slogan in the property business, you won’t go far wrong if you stick by that,” he said.

While knowledge of the market is important, Kevin said that customer care has been central to the business's success over the past 23 years, and believes a genuine passion for the work goes a long way.

"We have got repeat business from families that dealt with us here years ago. This is our hometown, I have a large family here. We take great pride in helping people out, we want to do what's best for the people of Castlebar, the surrounds and indeed Mayo,” he said.

That local connection, he says, is an important part of the service the business provides to those navigating what can be one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives.

“It's a daunting task, don't forget. Anyone who has bought or sold a house, it is probably the biggest transaction they will do in a lifetime. We understand that,” he said.

A man who knows the industry like the back of his hand, Kevin said preparation is key for anyone who is considering selling their home.

“Seek professional help, go to the businesses that are well-associated and established in that field. We are all here to advise you and guide you along the way.

"There is a lot of preparation that one needs to do if you are selling. You need to get a BER cert, that is mandatory. It is good practice to see a solicitor and make sure your boundaries, your maps, [and] your deeds are all in place. If not, that can delay your sale for four to five months,” he said.

And for first-time buyers, Kevin returned to what he considers the key principle in the property business: Location.

“Get a good feeling yourself, find out who the neighbours are, find out what the area is like. Auctioneers don’t always know that. These are all exercises that a buyer should do,” he said.