Energy Prices

Consumers have been warned about rising energy prices. Many have been urged to beat immense energy price hikes by switching suppliers. According to new research from the energy regulator shows that house holders who actively switched electricity providers over the last four years have saved more than €1,000.

According to the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities, seven electricity suppliers announced that energy prices will rise in the next few months. The average increase in energy costs amounted to 5 percent for electricity and 13 percent for gas according to the commission for regulation and utilities.

Across the last four years, those who choose not to switch their suppliers for both electricity and gas suppliers over the last four years could have saved €1,700. The CRU claimed that savings made through changing electricity and gas suppliers 0r negotiating with a current supplier could have helped customers save on the recent raises in price. The CRU further described switching rates by consumers last year as “robust”. In other words consumers who took the advice to switch providers or negotiate with their current supplier …

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Using rebuild costs to determine if you can buy below costs.

With so few transactions occurring it is hard to get an idea of values when the most common approach is the ‘comparative method’ (we cover some of the pros/cons in our investor reports) which tends to be most accurate when there are lots of sales happening [and for the same reason can be pro-cyclical].

A useful tool for potential property buyers is to see if they can purchase ‘below cost’, this is particularly useful when there are not enough transactions on the market to get good information or if you want to have a gauge you can use on your own.

Construction costs calculated every year by the Society of Chartered Surveyors in their ‘house rebuilding insurance guide’ and by using their estimates as a guide it can help potential buyers discern a good deal when they see one.

For instance, a 1,200 square foot 3 bed semi-detached in Dublin will cost (using their rebuild estimate of €177 per square foot) €212,400 to build.

If you are thinking …

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