When Jenny Claffey decided to leave her New York rental she set out on a journey to find her dream Irish home.
Buying your first home can feel like navigating a maze, but Jenny Claffey’s story proves that with determination, a clear vision, and a little bit of luck, it’s absolutely possible.
The Irish podcaster, content creator, and influencer joined Brendan Courtney's My First Home to share her journey from renting in New York to moving back in with her parents, and finally stepping into her dream home.
Jenny’s path wasn’t straightforward. After college, she moved to Bushwick, Brooklyn, renting a tiny room in a shared apartment with no window - "it was like a prison cell!" she laughs.
Returning to Dublin, she lived with her parents while building her career in social media marketing and podcasting.
Despite earning a modest income early on, she focused on saving, taking the advice of her parents to heart: "Just save whatever you can," they said.
Her real estate adventure began when she and her now-husband, Evan, started looking for a permanent home.
"I honestly don’t know how I would have done it without him," Jenny admits, reflecting on the practical support and partnership that made buying a house manageable.
Even with self-employment, which is often seen as a complicating factor, Jenny and Evan found the mortgage process smoother than expected, having spoken to mortgage advisors at AIB.
One standout lesson from Jenny’s story is the power of persistence and flexibility. When the house they truly loved came on the market, Jenny viewed it alone while Evan was abroad.
"It was nerve-wracking, but we were so determined," she says. The couple bid slightly over the competing offer, won the property, and immediately faced the realities of renovation.
From rewiring and plumbing to insulation, every corner needed attention - but Jenny approached it with optimism: "Once they started knocking down walls, it felt exciting."
Even in stressful moments, humour and perspective helped. The couple temporarily moved back in with her parents, navigating a household filled with two cats, a dog, and her brother working from home.
"It was like the Brady Bunch," Jenny laughs. Yet these challenges were short-lived, and the reward was worth it: a house that perfectly combined charm, character, and space for the future.
Jenny emphasises the importance of mindset for first-time buyers: "Be open-minded. Don’t narrow yourself too much on where you want to live.
"The right house will find you, but you need to move fast when opportunity knocks."
She also advises staying grounded financially, even when lenders offer more than you need.
Her advice is simple, but powerful: persistence, patience, and a bit of creativity go a long way.
"Even if you’re self-employed, even if the market seems daunting, it’s possible. The right house is out there, and you will get it if you stay focused and flexible."
Jenny’s journey is inspiring for anyone dreaming of their first home. From the tiny rooms in New York to the spacious, lovingly renovated home in Marino, her story reminds us that the process may be messy, chaotic, and stressful - but ultimately, it’s joyful, rewarding, and entirely possible.
For more expert advice and tales from the trenches of first time buying, tune into new episodes of Brendan Courtney's My First Home every Monday on all podcast platforms.
For more information or to speak to a mortgage advisor, checkout aib.ie.
