Daft.ie announces record applications on newly launched Mortgage Centre

12th January 2005, Daft.ie, Ireland's biggest property site, today announced that it has received a record number of mortgage applications through its newly launched Mortgage Centre with total finance applications to the value of €211 million in the first two months of operation.

Initially established as a lettings site, Daft.ie expanded into residential sales in October 2003 and currently has over 4,000 properties for sale on the site. To further enhance its online service the company launched the Mortgage Centre in November 2004, teaming up with the best of Ireland's independent lending partners including the Irish Mortgage Corporation, Homeloans, Mason Financial Services, Mortgages Direct, Irish Mortgage Network and GMC Mortgages to provide prospective home buyers and investors with the best value finance and most competitive mortgage quotes available.

Commenting on the announcement Eamonn Fallon, Director, Daft.ie said "We have received an overwhelming response to our new Mortgage Centre service since its launch two months ago, particularly from the first time buyers market who account for approximately 90% of total applicants. More and more long term renters are considering purchasing their own homes and the recent elimination of stamp duty for first time buyers in the budget has opened this option up to a wider number of people."

He added "The Mortgage Centre makes it extremely easy for customers to apply for finance by providing a convenient, hassle free process and we are delighted to be able to offer this additional service to our ever growing client base"

Director of Homeloans, Martin Gavin said, "When Daft.ie approached us about becoming involved we expected that there would be a slow but steady interest in our service. We were very pleased that within a few days we were inundated with mortgage requests and have written quite a substantial amount of business as a result. Daft.ie has the information on property for sale and we can secure the best mortgage for their customers."

Daft.ie currently delivers 12 million pages of properties a month to over 520,000 visitors, representing a new visitor every 4.9 seconds. The site recently won four awards at the 2004 Eircom Net Golden Spiders awards including best overall website.

Ends

For further information please contact:
Jennifer Mooney
053-26789
087-8336450

Notes to the Editor:
Daft.ie, Ireland's biggest property site has been providing low-cost online advertising to the Irish property market since 1997 with a primary focus on first-time-buyer properties for sale, house shares and property to let. Established by two brothers Eamonn and Brian Fallon, Daft.ie has become the country's biggest property portal with over 13,000 properties available for sale or let at any one time. The site currently delivers 12 million pages of properties a month to over 520,000 visitors. Eamonn and Brian were also finalists in the 2004 Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.