Above: Nigel Bennett (left) with all the staff at Bennetts Auctioneers.
If you have bought or sold property in Sandymount, Irishtown, Ringsend or the surrounding area over the past twenty years, the chances are you did business with Bennett’s Auctioneers.
The company was established in 1995 by Nigel Bennett, a member of the well-known Dublin auctioneering family.
Last year Nigel decided the time was right to pursue his other passions, namely golf and art. He did so knowing that he was leaving the business in safe hands.
The new owner and CEO, Marc McGrath, got his first job in property from Nigel fifteen years ago, before going on to pursue his studies and work in the commercial property sector.
Since Nigel first established the business in the heart of Sandymount village, Bennett’s Auctioneers has sold and managed more properties than any other agency in the area.
The staff of eight, including Helen Jones, the company’s Senior Sales Negotiator, who has been with the company for nineteen years, and her colleague Maxine Pilkington, who has been there almost as long, have built up relationships with the local community and businesses over the years, and this is what makes the firm the go-to place for property expertise in Dublin 4.
McGrath believes that the company survived the downturn in the property market, which saw many in the trade go under, because of the team’s local knowledge and reputation. He told NewsFour, “we have a comprehensive and unrivalled knowledge of the local market built up over twenty years and we offer a bespoke service tailored to our clients’ needs. Repeat business is the biggest client compliment, we see the same clients return for our services, both in the private and commercial sectors.”
The property business in Dublin 4 has picked up over the past two years, although prices are not as high as they were during the boom. McGrath believes that this is a good thing. He would prefer to see responsible banking practices that produce a stable and sustainable property market rather than the credit boom which fuelled the high prices leading to recession. He is encouraged to see an increase in first time buyers and credits the “village appeal” of Sandymount as well as an influx of workers from companies such as Google, LinkedIn and Airbnb, who have increased the demand for property, both in sales and lettings.
“Sandymount is recovering from the recession very well,” McGrath adds. “Presently there is very little vacant space in the area as properties, both for sale and for rent, are in high demand. Even during the recession, businesses which set up in the Sandymount area survived.” McGrath puts this down to the “fantastic local community” and the “positive vibe” that is evident in the village.
With McGrath’s expertise the agency is now offering additional services in Commercial Sales and Lettings. Both he, and the staff at Bennetts, are confident that the agency will continue to provide the sterling service that it has given the area since Nigel Bennett first set up shop for a long time to come.
By Jennifer Reddin
