It is when someone is challenged that you see their true nature. It is in time of difficulty that people are really tested and their inner qualities shine through. It is also in time of necessity that innovation rules supreme and invention leads the way. Considering the current challenges facing the property market then it would be safe to say that new ideas are greatly needed and a new market must emerge rather than a revamp of the original one which will, inevitably, run into the same old problems.

Ireland's largest housing charity has welcomed the announcement by the Government that assistance will be offered to homeowners but is concerned at the delay in providing support. Respond! Housing Association says that a similar announcement was made in October as part of the renewed Programme for Government but little action has been taken since that time.

Address: 12 Deer Park Avenue, Castlepark, St Joseph's Road, Mallow Co. Cork
Type: Three-bedroom semi detached
Note: Gas fired central heating
Contact: Sherry FitzGerald O'Donovan, Mallow 022-42651
Price: €270,000

Address: 12 Elm Road, Fota Rock, Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork
Type: Three-bedroom semi detached
Note: Cul de sac
Contact: Donal Collins, Global Properties, 087-9048344
Price: €215,000

Address: 17 Grangevale, Pinecroft, Grange, Douglas, Cork
Type: Five-bedroom semi detached
Note: Oil fired central heating
Contact: Donal Collins, Global Properties, 087-9048344
Price: €300,000

Address: 29 Orchard Avenue, Castleredmond, Midleton, Co. Cork
Type: Four-bedroom semi detached
Note: Gas fired central heating
Contact: Hegarty Properties, 021-4639411
Price: €235,000

Address: 72 Wyndham Downs, Ballincollig, Co. Cork
Type: Three-bedroom detached
Note: Oil fired central heating
Contact: Robert Hawkes, Property Choice 086-7979174
Price: €280,000

Address: 18 Ashington, Glanmire, Cork
Type: Four-bed detached
Note: Gas heating
Contact: Michael O’Donovan, Sherry FitzGerald, 6 Lapps Quay, Cork 021-4273041
Price: €255,000

Address: Beaulieu, 2 Pine Springs, Barnavara Road, Glanmire, Cork
Type: Three-bed semi detached
Note: Gas fired central heating
Contact: Michael O'Donovan, Sherry FitzGerald 021-4273041
Price: €235,000

The gift of future security may not have been very high on your child’s Christmas list and Santa may have been stumped if it was but for concerned parents, now may be the time to do it. Many people with their own land may have long-considered it as a future site for their children to build a home. This, however, may prove troublesome with proposed changes for Capital Gains Tax (CGT) when gifting a site to a child.