Coming home to buy

Cash rich returning emigrants could push price up in an already tight housing market

They went in their thousands, a wave of emigrants to Sydney, Auckland, Toronto, London, Dubai and beyond.

Almost half a million people left Ireland between 2008 and 2014 as our economy faltered, according to John McCartney, director of research at Savills.

Now, the economy has turned the corner, and some of them are returning. Others remain abroad, but are considering a move home and are assessing their options.

Property and mortgage experts point ...