Ms Downes has more than 10 years’ experience in the property auction industry and has contributed significantly to the success of Youbid.ie – a division of Limerick estate agents O’Connor Murphy – since its launch last May.
She has worked for almost seven years with the company, which also has offices in Cork and Dublin and last year announced a strategic commercial partnership with QRE Real Estate Advisers.
The Limerick native studied Business and Tourism at Limerick Institute of Technology before sitting IPAV exams at Cork Institute of Technology.
“At the beginning of 2020, our strategy was to hold six public auctions which would be followed by an online auction to assist in selling the unsold lots from in-room,” said Ms Downes.
“However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic we re-branded to Youbid.ie and changed our strategy to monthly online auctions.
“Since its launch the platform has been very successful, and we have offered 321 properties for sale over the course of eight auctions.
“We have achieved an 83% success rate, with average prices exceeding 14% above reserves.
“The highlights include a group of six apartments at Mill Falls, Newcastle West, Limerick, which received 144 bids and sold for €423,000, 68% above its reserve of €291,000.
“Another success was 3 The Dunes, Dunfanaghy, Donegal which had a reserve €95,000, but sold for €231,000 – almost two and a half times its reserve – after 135 bids.
“In Dublin, 81 and 82 North Strand Street had a reserve of €360,000, but after 245 bids they sold for €606,000.
“And Units 3 and 4 in Westlink Business Park, Clondrinagh, Limerick, had a reserve of €150,000, but sold for €451,000 after 169 bids.
“We are looking forward to a busy 2021 and have plans for 11 monthly online auctions, with the first taking place on Thursday, February 18.”
Ms Downes said she looks forward to playing her part in the continued success of O’Connor Murphy and youbid.ie, which represents “an exciting new era” in the Irish property market.
“With her wealth of experience within property and specifically the property auction industry, I could not be happier to appoint Brigid as Associate Director of youbid.ie,” said Michael O’Connor, CEO of O’Connor Murphy.
“We look forward to continued success in 2021 for youbid.ie.”
Properties for the February 18 auction are listed on the platform. Documentation and brochures are available by registering on Youbid.ie or by calling 01-5676979. Email info@youbid.ie for more details.
Published in the Sunday Business Post 24/01/21