REA welcome stamp duty reform

The Group believe it will help the residential sector recover somewhat in volume and give the property sector a much needed boost. Although stamp duty reduction makes movement easier the Group are unsure if it applies to commercial property which is key for business flow . According to Board Member Michael Gavigan, “the u turn on s 23 expiring in 2014 has not factored in that most investors are heavily in debt on their investments which were made in good faith at inflated values to factor in the tax benefit . The government promoted these schemes which created much employment & revenue for the country and now announce that they expire in 2014 which will greatly reduce their value and lead to a far higher rate of default which the taxpayer will ultimately have to foot the bill. This u turn is ill considered and does not factor in peoples risk taking and debt”