Maple Woods Ballinacurra Midleton, Co Cork
- Thread starter Tonio
- Start date
Re: Maple Woods Ballinacurra Midleton
Tonio, Just wondering if you proceeded with a purchase in Maple Woods? I've bought there but the builders have told me that it'll be Jan '08 before I'll have the keys (even though the roof is on, internal plastering is complete and the skirtings have been started). Tried to negotiate a closer completion date but they were having none of it. Does that sound familiar to you?
Tonio, Just wondering if you proceeded with a purchase in Maple Woods? I've bought there but the builders have told me that it'll be Jan '08 before I'll have the keys (even though the roof is on, internal plastering is complete and the skirtings have been started). Tried to negotiate a closer completion date but they were having none of it. Does that sound familiar to you?
Re: Maple Woods Ballinacurra Midleton
We pulled out of the deal before we signed contracts. That is exactly what I was afraid of. The estate looks lovely and we were really interested in the 4 bed end terrace but the stage payments (can't believe they still do those in Cork) and the possibility of 18 months to completion put me off. With the stage payments I guess that you have already paid over 70% or 80% to the builder - he does not have much of an incentive to finish off the house quickly.
I read in a newspaper (Irish Indo I think) recently that stage payments are to be abolished this year.
Anyway, I plan to move to Midleton from Navan this April as I am being made redundant and will have the opportunity to re-locate. Will probably rent at first til we get jobs and then try to buy later. If stage payments are not dropped I think I will be buying second hand.
Are you from Midleton? Is it a nice place to live?
We pulled out of the deal before we signed contracts. That is exactly what I was afraid of. The estate looks lovely and we were really interested in the 4 bed end terrace but the stage payments (can't believe they still do those in Cork) and the possibility of 18 months to completion put me off. With the stage payments I guess that you have already paid over 70% or 80% to the builder - he does not have much of an incentive to finish off the house quickly.
I read in a newspaper (Irish Indo I think) recently that stage payments are to be abolished this year.
Anyway, I plan to move to Midleton from Navan this April as I am being made redundant and will have the opportunity to re-locate. Will probably rent at first til we get jobs and then try to buy later. If stage payments are not dropped I think I will be buying second hand.
Are you from Midleton? Is it a nice place to live?
Re: Maple Woods Ballinacurra Midleton
If you are thinking of buying in Midleton and want a new build. Mcinerney's have just released three, four and five beds and they don't request stage payments, just the 10% deposit so that might be an option. It is in broomfield which is closer to Midleton town than Ballincurra.
If you are thinking of buying in Midleton and want a new build. Mcinerney's have just released three, four and five beds and they don't request stage payments, just the 10% deposit so that might be an option. It is in broomfield which is closer to Midleton town than Ballincurra.
Re: Maple Woods Ballinacurra Midleton
Yes it is right beside where the station will be a just a few minutes walk from the town. It is quite a large estate but spaced out quite well and there are several different looking properties there are apartments there and duplexes as well which might put you off but they tend to be on one side of the estate while the houses are on the other. It is a nice area and probably the last place to buy new that is so close to the town. I think Maple woods will be a very large estate when it is finished also and there will be apts, duplexs there eventually as it is only at the first first stage of buidling now. Broomfield has been an ongoing development for five years so it is nearly finished - at least you will be able to know exactly what the estate will look like.
Yes it is right beside where the station will be a just a few minutes walk from the town. It is quite a large estate but spaced out quite well and there are several different looking properties there are apartments there and duplexes as well which might put you off but they tend to be on one side of the estate while the houses are on the other. It is a nice area and probably the last place to buy new that is so close to the town. I think Maple woods will be a very large estate when it is finished also and there will be apts, duplexs there eventually as it is only at the first first stage of buidling now. Broomfield has been an ongoing development for five years so it is nearly finished - at least you will be able to know exactly what the estate will look like.
Re: Maple Woods Ballinacurra Midleton
Paid over 95% this week. Stage payments are killing us! Especially as we're renting in the meantime. But it seems to be the way down here in Cork. You could be holding out a while to find a development without SP. (We're first time buyers so admittedly we're a little naive too). Forestbrook Developments have a terrible reputation. Both my brothers and lots of my friends bought from them in Douglas (Green Valley) and had all sorts of problems during construction.
I'm from Douglas which is traditionally a desirable area and it was great growing up there, but it's so built up now that the quality of life has suffered over the past few years (big traffic blackspot and not very friendly anymore). We also considered Ballincollig and Carrigtowhill. Decided on Midleton for a number of reasons. Good road network, trainline to come. Close to the city, but yet quite a country feel to the place. Friendly atmosphere, especially strolling down the main street and in the little craft shops and boutiques. 10 minutes from Cork Harbour and the coast (beautiful views and nice beachs). Schools have a good reputation. Although I haven't socialised there yet, I know quite a few people who say that there is no shortage of good pubs & restaurants. Good hurling and rugby traditions!
We looked at Broomfield too. Nice development and a friend of mine has been living happily there for a couple of years. And McInerny seem to be easy to deal with. We prefferred the other side of the town though because there doesn't seem to be as much housing planned for there, so hopefully won't be as built up in the future (that's the Douglas effect giving me a complex). People say it's a bit too far from the new train station but I personally wouldn't mind the 20/25 minute walk or cycle.
Finally, it might be a good idea to keep an eye on the cork county council website www.corkcoco.ie. You'll find a link to their planning site and a search of Midleton will give you all the details of anything that's in the pipeline.
Paid over 95% this week. Stage payments are killing us! Especially as we're renting in the meantime. But it seems to be the way down here in Cork. You could be holding out a while to find a development without SP. (We're first time buyers so admittedly we're a little naive too). Forestbrook Developments have a terrible reputation. Both my brothers and lots of my friends bought from them in Douglas (Green Valley) and had all sorts of problems during construction.
I'm from Douglas which is traditionally a desirable area and it was great growing up there, but it's so built up now that the quality of life has suffered over the past few years (big traffic blackspot and not very friendly anymore). We also considered Ballincollig and Carrigtowhill. Decided on Midleton for a number of reasons. Good road network, trainline to come. Close to the city, but yet quite a country feel to the place. Friendly atmosphere, especially strolling down the main street and in the little craft shops and boutiques. 10 minutes from Cork Harbour and the coast (beautiful views and nice beachs). Schools have a good reputation. Although I haven't socialised there yet, I know quite a few people who say that there is no shortage of good pubs & restaurants. Good hurling and rugby traditions!
We looked at Broomfield too. Nice development and a friend of mine has been living happily there for a couple of years. And McInerny seem to be easy to deal with. We prefferred the other side of the town though because there doesn't seem to be as much housing planned for there, so hopefully won't be as built up in the future (that's the Douglas effect giving me a complex). People say it's a bit too far from the new train station but I personally wouldn't mind the 20/25 minute walk or cycle.
Finally, it might be a good idea to keep an eye on the cork county council website www.corkcoco.ie. You'll find a link to their planning site and a search of Midleton will give you all the details of anything that's in the pipeline.
Re: Maple Woods Ballinacurra Midleton
Ouch!
Will try to rent in Broomfield or Tir Cluain to see if we like living so close to town. Then we will be a bit more informed when we make the decision to buy.
Good luck with Maple Woods. I really hope you move in soon
Ouch!
Will try to rent in Broomfield or Tir Cluain to see if we like living so close to town. Then we will be a bit more informed when we make the decision to buy.
Good luck with Maple Woods. I really hope you move in soon
A
abcapple
Guest
Re: Maple Woods Ballinacurra Midleton
I bought my first house in GreenValley which I have now sold. I found Forestbrook excellent to deal with as I was a young first time buyer with no experience! They were always available to answer any queries I had and made the purchase a very easy decision.
Because of this I have subsequently bought a house in Maplewoods as have many other previous residents of GreenValley. Why would that be if I was unsure of the builders?
I bought my first house in GreenValley which I have now sold. I found Forestbrook excellent to deal with as I was a young first time buyer with no experience! They were always available to answer any queries I had and made the purchase a very easy decision.
Because of this I have subsequently bought a house in Maplewoods as have many other previous residents of GreenValley. Why would that be if I was unsure of the builders?
Re: Maple Woods Ballinacurra Midleton
Good news that the government plans to ban stage payments from June 30th next. Full article on rte website -
http://www.rte.ie/business/2007/0223/houses.html
Good news that the government plans to ban stage payments from June 30th next. Full article on rte website -
http://www.rte.ie/business/2007/0223/houses.html
Re: Maple Woods Ballinacurra Midleton
Don't take it too personal, mate. Everyone has their own experiences.
Don't take it too personal, mate. Everyone has their own experiences.
Re: Maple Woods Ballinacurra Midleton
No - but there has been a lady sat outside the development all weekend in the car with big signs on the front and rear windscreen saying 'Paid my money - got no keys'. Obviously people are not getting in as quickly as they thought!
No - but there has been a lady sat outside the development all weekend in the car with big signs on the front and rear windscreen saying 'Paid my money - got no keys'. Obviously people are not getting in as quickly as they thought!
C
corksparky
Guest
Re: Maple Woods Ballinacurra Midleton
Being a first time buyer, I have just been given the keys for my first home in Maple Woods and I'm absolutely delighted!! I saw the lady parked on the side of the road over the weekend with the banner "paid my money - no keys" and was rather puzzled as within hours of me paying my money, I was given my keys straight away. So maybe there is more to the story, because i know a good few people who like me, were given their keys within hours of paying their money.
Just on Forestbrook, i found them good to deal with. I have never bought a house before but my Mother & Father (who's in the building trade - and very particular) were impressed with the level of finish of the house and the park in general. The site foreman, Mark was always on hand to answer any of my questions, regardless of how silly they were, and even now that i have my keys he has still been helping me out with my measuring etc.
I am currently waiting for the carpet supplier to lay the flooring and I hope to be in, in the next two weeks.
All in all a great experience
Being a first time buyer, I have just been given the keys for my first home in Maple Woods and I'm absolutely delighted!! I saw the lady parked on the side of the road over the weekend with the banner "paid my money - no keys" and was rather puzzled as within hours of me paying my money, I was given my keys straight away. So maybe there is more to the story, because i know a good few people who like me, were given their keys within hours of paying their money.
Just on Forestbrook, i found them good to deal with. I have never bought a house before but my Mother & Father (who's in the building trade - and very particular) were impressed with the level of finish of the house and the park in general. The site foreman, Mark was always on hand to answer any of my questions, regardless of how silly they were, and even now that i have my keys he has still been helping me out with my measuring etc.
I am currently waiting for the carpet supplier to lay the flooring and I hope to be in, in the next two weeks.
All in all a great experience