Luigi Wewege, Managing Director of Vivier Mortgages gives his opinion on Ireland’s current housing market

DUBLIN, IRELAND – 25 February 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Curbing price volatility in the housing market is an ongoing challenge for governments.  Clearly, in order to stabilise house prices, supply and demand must be brought into equilibrium. The difficulties inherent in achieving this goal are illustrated by Ireland’s economic travails over the past decade. 

During the heady days of the ‘Celtic Tiger’, property developers embarked on a building frenzy, their expansionary drive fuelled by three factors: the availability of almost limitless credit, the flow of cheap labour from Eastern Europe and an apparently buoyant property market. However, too many of these building schemes were not brought to fruition. The onset of the recession and the accompanying credit crunch which it triggered forced many developers to abandon their projects. The landscape of Ireland is now littered with ‘ghost estates’, abandoned, unoccupied or unfinished. They have been declared economically unviable and have consequently been flagged for demolition. Compounding the difficulties in the housing sector, the lax mortgage credit criteria have also led to a cascade of defaults amongst existing mortgage holders, thus creating an unprecedented wave of house repossessions.

A priority of paramount importance for governments in shaping social policy these days is, undeniably, the provision of quality housing for its citizens.  One legacy of the 2008 financial crisis, however, is an acute shortage of housing.  As a supply shortage inevitably drives an upward spiral in prices, this is reflected in the housing market. During 2014, house price inflation across Ireland has vacillated between 8% and 20%.  Galloping ahead of the rest of the country, house prices in Dublin increased by 20%, whilst nationally the rate averaged out at 13% to 14%.  These increases in prices show marked variations from county to county.  In the last quarter of 2014, the year-on-year changes recorded per county were: Donegal 0.1%; Cavan 1.5%; Monaghan 5.2%; Louth 11.4%; Longford 12.2%; Roscommon 9.7%; Wicklow 18.8%: Cork City 12.2%; Limerick City 2.8%; Dublin City Centre 27.1%; South County Dublin 17.9% and North County Dublin 15.9%.

According to analysts, the five factors impacting on house prices are credit, expectation, income, supply and demographics.  Of these variables, changes in credit and expectation are most likely to induce changes in house prices. Harnessing this recognition, the Central Bank has established new regulations that place quantitative ceilings on the proportion of mortgages at high loan-to-value ratio and on the proportion of mortgage lending at high loan-to-income ratio. According to the Central Bank, this change in macro-prudential policy in the real estate sector will have a dual effect: increasing the resilience of the banking and household sectors to financial shocks, and dampening the pro-cyclical dynamics between property lending and housing prices. 

In practical terms, the new regulations mean that first-time residential buyers can borrow as much as 80% of the property price or even 90%, up to a limit of €220,000, plus 80% of any amount beyond it.  The scope of these caps also extends to housing loans secured on residential property in the state, as well as to equity-release/top-up mortgages.  What it does not cover is the refinancing of a house loan or loans that have been negotiated for the purpose of addressing arrears of payments.

Although the regulations have been welcomed by property analysts, there has been a current of dissent. Opponents of the restrictions, whilst conceding that they may have the desired effect of moderating house inflation, argue that the measures may also foster a concomitant escalation of rental prices.  They predict that a rising demand curve for rented accommodation will have the inevitable consequence of luring speculators into the market thereby destabilising house prices and posing a threat to first-time buyers.

About the Author

Luigi Wewege is the founder of Vivier Group and the Managing Director of Vivier Mortgages (a Dublin, Ireland based home loan company), as well as CEO of its Auckland based financial services arm, Vivier & Co, a boutique Financial Service Provider in New Zealand, offering no-cost, above average returns for investors.

Vivier Mortgages

Vivier Mortgages is a Dublin, Ireland based home loan company that has specialised in secured property lending, principally for domestic mortgages and building projects, for nearly twenty years.  The company,   having recently become part of Vivier Group, is currently looking for new opportunities in Ireland, in the areas of property acquisition, redevelopment and regeneration.

Vivier Group

Vivier Group is the global umbrella organisation of the Auckland based Vivier & Co and Vivier Investments, the London based Vivier Developments & Vivier Home Loans, and the Dublin based Vivier Mortgages.

Media Contact

Company Name: Vivier Mortgages
Contact Person: Media Relations Manager
Email: press@viviergroup.com
Phone: +353 1 697 1353
Country: Ireland
Website: http://www.viviermortgages.com

Announcing the Campaign to Help Fund a Better Way to Pay for College Textbooks

Help an entrepreneur kickstart a business providing discount college course textbooks and materials

Troy, New York  – February 21, 2015 – Brandon Kramer announces the campaign to provide discount college textbooks and materials to college students. There is a serious problem plaguing today's financially-strapped college students: namely, the cost of textbooks and materials. They are often not covered by financial aid, scholarships, or grant money, and often it can be difficult for students to find the appropriate edition, copy, or version that is requested by the instructor. On top of this, sometimes the student is unable sell back the books due to their age, length of use, or simply because they have become outdated since the last printing.

College textbook prices are 812 percent higher than they were a little more than three decades ago, the American Enterprise Institute, a think tank, reports. Textbook costs have well outpaced the 559 percent increase in tuition and fees over roughly the same period.

Brandon Kramer's goal is to change this situation for the millions of college-bound students struggling in the same situation. No family should have to make the tough decision, trying to determine where the funding for yet another college expense is going to come from. Brandon did not come from wealthy family himself, and they unfortunately were not able to spare the money for him to pursue a college degree. Because of this experience, Brandon wants to save other potential college students the trouble of making this sacrifice.

Brandon's campaign involves starting a website-based business where college students could find both the materials and the course textbooks required for their college courses, but offered at rock-bottom prices compared to what they would normally pay at the university. By donating to his project, you are helping college students everywhere save money on their books and materials, allowing them to spend more of their money towards tuition and all of the other aspects of college that are so expensive.

To LEARN MORE about the project, or  to find more information, please visit:

http://www.gofundme.com/mis05g

Contact:

Brandon Kramer

http://www.gofundme.com/mis05g

Announcing the Campaign to Raise Money for ALS

Help raise money for treatment of ALS through Debra’s Journey for Life Foundation

Orlando, Florida  – February 19, 2015 – Debra Haugabrook-Briggs announces the campaign to raise money for the Debra’s Journey for Life Foundation. Debra was diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, on September 10, 2012. Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a

neurodegenerative disease that weakens neurons in the brain and upper spinal cord which control

muscles. This disease eventually leaves the patient completely paralyzed, but the majority of people with ALS will maintain hearing, sight, touch, smell, and taste. Currently there is not a cure for ALS, it is a fatal disease with a devastating journey.

At any one time, there are about 30,000 people living with ALS, each year 5,000 people are diagnosed. The cause of ALS is unknown, it is such a rare disease and most people will never know anyone with ALS in their life time. Because it is so unknown, it does not get the attention, thus is lacking in research funding/focus from drug companies, nor does it get adequate support and awareness from others.

Debra's husband, Walter Briggs (former New York Jets quarterback), has been instrumental in helping to raise millions of dollars for many Charities throughout the Country with Golf Tournaments, and Bowling Tournaments. He of course is in the forefront of this fight against ALS with alongside his wife. They never thought we would be in this situation, stricken with such a horrific disease and in

a fight for life.

Your Gift donations to Debra’s Journey for Life Foundation will help The ALS Association and ALS Therapy Development Institute support research to find a cure for ALS. You will also be providing help to much-needed services for many ALS patients and their families affected by this disease. Join Debra’s Journey for Life Foundation in their efforts by making a difference with this cause.

To LEARN MORE about the project, or to help support their organization, please visit:

http://www.gofundme.com/savingdebra

Contact:

Debra Haugabrook-Briggs

Debra's Journey Foundation, Inc.

P.O. Box 616500, Orlando, FL 32861-6500

debrasjourneyforlife@gmail.com

Announcing the Friends of Emma Campaign for our Critical Care Rescue Dogs

YOUR love - can help build FOREVER for our deserving critical care rescue dogs!

Fort Worth, TX  – February 18, 2015 – Elizabeth Hart and her partner, Kyle, announce the campaign to expand their animal rescue organization, known as “Friends of Emma”. Elizabeth and Kyle have spent more than 5 years rescuing and finding good homes for a variety of lost animals. They aid shelters, animal clinics, rescue groups and private individuals from all across the country - who send the Hart family the most dire critical medical cases. Most of the medical cases the Hart family has come across has been paid from their own pockets, along with generous donations. Despite the fact that their daughter, Kylie, suffers from Cystic Fibrosis, they have spent most of their time improving the lives of the little creatures they have grown to love.

They are currently maintaining two storage units (which we access weekly) containing their stock of medical supplies, fundraiser inventory, packing & shipping supplies,care furnishings, therapy equipment, household necessities, food, supplements and all of the "essentials" of providing for special needs animals. These units cost nearly 600.00 each month - funds that could otherwise be put towards more productive expenses. The rescue is now bursting at the seams with new friends, and the Hart family simply has no more room for the animals they love to help.

Friends of Emma is seeking funding in the amount of $200,000 to cover the purchase of the new home. If they are not able to move forward with purchase of this home within the next 60 days, they stand to lose all that they have put into it thus far – approx. $40,000.00 of their personal savings - their entire "nest egg". Please consider donating to help them keep their rescue open!

To LEARN MORE about the project, or to help support their IndieGoGo campaign, please visit:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/friends-of-emma-the-house-that-love-built

Contact:

Elizabeth Hart

Friends of Emma

Fort Worth, Texas

friendsofemmacpc@aol.com

http://www.elizabethhart.com/donate.htm

Announcing the Campaign to Kickstart a new Speed Reading App

Help an Entrepreneur Introduce a Unique New App Designed to Teach Speed Reading

Charlotte, NC  – February 16, 2018 – Jordan Miller, a 20 year old Entrepreneur/Actor from Charlotte, North Carolina, announces the campaign to introduce a new and unique reading app, designed to teach the average reader to “speed read” at at least twice the normal reading speed.

Jordan Miller is a young man who has seen a lot, and endured more. After suffering bouts of depression in his early teens, Jordan sought out the advice of others (including many popular self-help gurus) and has even written his share of self-help and self-enlightment books.

He has now turned his attention to the subject of speed reading, a skill Jordan has personally developed. Through his innovative new app, called KINDLINE, the average reader can take their own e-books as well as those purchased through Amazon's Kindle Store, and learn how to speed read. The app will utilize kindles existing cloud (online storage) and it will have the ability to open kindle books that a customer already owns on their existing kindle cellphone app. KINDLINE utilizes a unique automated function that leads the reader to increase his or her speed according to the reader's own preferences.  The reader can select the speed, background opacity, and more. The average reader will see their speed increase, while they are able to absorb more information within every book they read on the app. KINDLINE is designed especially for students and other avid readers who may not have the time to read leisurely, but still want to glean important information from the text.

Jordan is seeking funding of $100,000 to develop, implement, and market the KINDLINE app. The market is bare of quality speed reading apps, and this one is sure to find a niche as a top speed reading app.

To LEARN MORE about the project, or to help support their GoFundMe campaign, please visit:

http://www.gofundme.com/m8amek

Contact:

Jordan Miller

Charlotte, NC

http://www.gofundme.com/m8amek

Announcing the Campaign to Kickstart a new Graphics Company

Help a graphic designer live his dream of owning his own business

Madison, Wisconsin  – February 15, 2015 – Ulises Palacios and his partner announce the campaign to raise funding for their new company,  On Demand Graphics. They are currently an in-home start up with all the right tools and even more potential for growth. Ulises and his partner have a combined 25+ years in printing and graphic installation. They provide various custom printing services: including decorated apparel (t-shirts, hoodies, uniforms, etc) vehicle graphics, signs & banners, and canvas prints (both gallery wrapped and unmounted).

Ulises is a very talented graphic designer and artist. However, there is little room for growth or advancement in his current job, and he expects that the business he currently works for will be closing its doors within the next 3 years. Ulises is desperate to find funding to help make his dream a reality before time runs out.

ON Demand Graphics has invested over $60k for the purchase of a large-format printer and Direct-to-Garment t-shirt printer. These pieces of equipment are incredibly expensive, and both partners have completely depleted their savings making the purchase. Ulises has found that he must spend the majority of his time working for his current job to make ends meet, and this is detracting from his new venture. It's becoming difficult for the company to get off the ground without additional funding.

With the money raised, they intend to work to improve their home base and make it suitable for everyday production. The anticipated end result is quitting their full-time jobs in favor of opening a retail location to house their business.

On Demand Graphics looks forward to showing their appreciation to supporters with a product sample, so it has been asked that potential supporters leave an email at time of contribution if they would like a sample when they donate.

To LEARN MORE about the project, or to help support their GoFundMe campaign, please visit:

http://www.gofundme.com/OnDemand

Contact:

Ulises Palacios

608.381.5108

odgraphics1@gmail.com

www.odgraphics.net

Announcing the Campaign to Fund the Purchasing of a DTG Printer

Help a Growing Printing Company Expand their Business

Portland, Oregon  – February 13, 2015 – Press Station is a custom t-shirt and apparel retail store at the Lloyd Center mall, Portland Oregon. After suffering a number setbacks including strife with co-owners, bad management and inventory tracking, as well as the general ups and downs of the market, Press Station struggled to keep their doors open.

Now 2 years later, after a long battle through financial hardship, the doors are still open at Press Station. The business is still in debt to family and friends and would like to also acquire funds to secure a second location.

The Press Station is attempting to raise $20,000 to make renovations and repairs, purchase new sublimation equipment, pay back family and friends who they are still in debt to. Another portion of the funding will be used to pay the ex-partner for his portion of the business, and use some of it for bank funding to secure a second location. This will also help with advertising and marketing Press Station.

To LEARN MORE about the project, or to help support their GoFundMe campaign, please visit:

http://www.gofundme.com/PressStationFund

Contact:

Obinna Nwerem

The Press Station

(503) 444-7193

2201 Lloyd Ctr, Ste F-101

Portland, OR 97232