ANDREW McNULTY,
Madam, - As a first-time property buyer in the Dublin area, it is my misfortune that one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments are essentially of interest to two different types of buyer: 1. Young people (like myself); 2. Investors. It's a little like putting Prince Nasseem in the ring with Lennox Lewis, while the Government, as referee, pretends not to notice the weight or size difference.
Investors are, to put it bluntly, richer and wiser than their younger and naïve opponents (myself) and also supported by the Government through attractive tax-relief incentives amongst other things - which is bit like making the Prince wear gloves while Lewis is allowed to remove his.
The odds are stacked against you from the start and when you finally admit defeat you realise you'll have to rent, and kill your money. Rent from whom? Why, none other than the investor. Your conqueror. A victor whose sole aim is to exploit his one- or two-bedroom property for as much rent as he can get - from you, the struggling "little man". This is a bit like getting a punch below the belt and then receiving a kick in the guts when you're down. Of courses the referee ignores this and shouts, "Fight on!"
All's fair in love, war and property. Just don't ask for help and don't expect to get it. - Yours, etc.,
ANDREW McNULTY, Whitshed Road, Greystones, Co Wicklow.