Kevin & PJ: ‘People Love Telling Our Generation You Can’t Be Eating Avocado & Toast, But You Can’

Securing a home in Ireland has never felt more daunting. Prices are soaring, supply is dwindling, and for many first-time buyers, the dream of owning a home feels more impossible than ever. That’s where Help Me Buy a Home steps in, the Virgin Media show tackles the Irish housing crisis head-on, combining expert insight, real-life stories, and a much-needed dose of humour.

We got the chance to chat with the dynamic trio behind the show, expert Buying Agent Liz O’Kane and Cork’s beloved duo behind the podcast I’m Grand Mam, PJ Kirby and Kevin Twomey, to talk everything from the horrors of house-hunting to the myths of mortgage approval.

With Liz guiding house-hunters through the chaos of the property market and PJ and Kevin asking all the questions Generation Lock-Out desperately need answered, this show turns all the madness into pure entertainment.

From Renters to Homeowners?

For PJ Kirby and Kevin Twomey, the series has been nothing short of an education. As lifelong renters and part of Generation Lock-Out, they’ve spent years hearing horror stories about the property market but never quite knew where to start. We asked them if this show had made them more or less optimistic about eventually owning their own place.

“I did see some light at the end of the tunnel with certain things,” PJ admits. “One episode took us to Bantry, where someone got the derelict house grant, up to 70k, to fix things like the roof, plumbing, electricity etc.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Pj Kirby Galang (@pj.kirby)

Kevin echoes this sentiment, revealing one of the biggest myths they debunked during filming: “I thought there was no point in seeing a mortgage broker until I was 100% ready to buy. But we learned that you should go as early as possible, even years in advance, so they can help you get ‘match fit.’ Whether it’s setting up the right savings account or stopping certain spending habits, knowing what banks actually want to see on your statements is so useful.”

Following on that PJ adds, “we learned banks don’t care if you’re buying the odd latte, go live your life. People love telling our generation you can’t be eating the avocado and toast, but you can. Banks aren’t looking at your occasional treats, they’re looking at overall patterns. So, now I don’t feel guilty for having my weekend brunch.”

Energy Efficiency

A major theme of the show is the importance of sustainability in home-buying today. With rising energy costs, a home’s BER rating (Building Energy Rating) isn’t just a minor detail, it can impact long-term savings, mortgage rates, and overall living costs.

“I went into this thinking I’d just pick a cute gaff and call it a day, but now I realise you really do want it to be as energy efficient as possible because that’ll save you money in the long run,” PJ states. “That’s why Bord Gáis Energy is the perfect sponsor because that’s exactly what people should be thinking about when buying. If you can get grants to install solar panels or insulate your home properly, why wouldn’t you?

“I used to be fixated purely on the aesthetics of a gaff. Now, I’m nerding out over BER ratings and insulation, things I used to think were boring but now find really interesting.”

Liz insists that the BER is crucial, “If you’re buying an older house, especially in the city, they can be freezing unless it’s been retrofitted. Most of the homes we looked at in the show were second hand properties, all of them needed work on some level. That’s why it’s so important to see the services that can be provided, most people think that Bord Gáis Energy is just a piece of paper that you get with a bill on it, but now we can see all the services it actually provides.”

Where Should Buyers Be Looking?

When it comes to location, Help Me Buy a Home doesn’t just focus on Ireland’s obvious property hotspots, it also highlights lesser-known, more affordable alternatives. Kevin is unwavering in his love for Cork, joking, “If you’re not looking in Cork, I feel sorry for you.” Liz states that that while the east coast is great, more inland is where the bargains can be.

“Westmeath, Cavan, Monaghan, Laois, Leitrim, is where you can get some lovely bargains. If you’re into a bit of a more rural lifestyle with some peace and quiet, it’s fabulous.” While location is key, it’s the little quirks that truly make a house feel like a home. We asked the trio what is something every Irish home should have, and they didn’t hold back.

PJ swears by a dresser, while Kevin insists, “bidets all the way, maybe even those heated ones like they do in Japan. Also, a holy water font at the front door, but stick some glitter in it and make it Lady Gaga with ‘Bless yourself, bitch’ etched above her.” Liz keeps things traditional with a turf fire and a rocking chair. Because really, is it even an Irish home if you don’t have a rocking chair by the fire and a shrine to Lady Gaga by the door?

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kevin Twomey (@kevin2mey)

The Housing Market Reality Check

It’s no secret that Ireland’s property market can feel like a battlefield with constant bidding wars. With rising demand and limited supply, it can seem like a never-ending struggle. So, we asked expert Liz whether this had always been the case since she first started in the property game, or if buyers are just now becoming more vocal about how tough it is.

“Definitely more vocal, there’s always been a lot of disappointment in the market,” Liz explains. “Twenty years ago, people were camping out overnight to put a deposit on homes.Something similar happened recently, a brand-new housing estate in Cork had only around 20 houses on offer, and people rocked up in their cars at midnight to wait until the office opened.

So yes, the disappointment now is heightened. But markets always move, you just have to adapt with them.” And that’s exactly what this show aims to do. Liz breaks down the biggest obstacles buyers face today, like saving for a deposit, securing mortgage approval, and competing in an increasingly saturated market, while offering practical strategies to get ahead.

From Podcasts to Prime Time

At its core, Help Me Buy a Home is as much about education as it is about entertainment, because let’s be real, if you’re going to stare into the abyss that is Ireland’s housing market, you might as well have a laugh while doing it. A big part of that success comes down to PJ and Kevin’s infectious energy, which turns even the most depressing aspects of house hunting into something more bearable.

Not only have they found success with their podcast, but they’re now selling out live events, with four upcoming shows in Ireland following their Australia stint, three at the 3Olympia in Dublin and one at the INEC in Kerry. And now, with their move to TV being seamless, we ask the lads if this has made them think about other ventures.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by I’m Grand Mam (@imgrandmam)

“I think we definitely have the bug for doing stuff for telly now, who doesn’t want to be doing telly bits,” Kevin explains. “One thing we always said since the start of the podcast was, we don’t want to just pigeon hole ourselves with just the podcast. We’re absolutely open to different areas. Doing telly was a really great learning experience for us, if we could work with a team like the same team we had and even working with Liz, I would work with them in a heartbeat.”

PJ followed in saying, “one thing we did say was we’re going to be even bigger divas next time. We’ll go to town on the hair and makeup, the whole lot, and let people know we’re stars.”

Memorable Moments

While the show has been a learning curve for the lads and a challenge for Liz, who’s spent much of the series trying to nail down houses for buyers, it’s also been packed with emotional and surreal moments for them. For Liz, her most memorable moment will be coming up very soon, “At one point I burst into tears on camera. I had a complete wobble, it was pure exhaustion mixed with relief and I just broke down.”

“Filming in my family home was wild,” PJ says. “Seeing a full TV crew in my mam’s gaff? Mad. It was a real pinch me moment.” For Kevin it was meeting a group of activists in Cork that left a lasting impact. “There’s no fame or glory that goes with what they do, they’re just really passionate about their city and home, it was amazing to see such a great sense of pride.”

Watch Help Me Buy a Home, sponsored by Bord Gáis Energy, Sundays at 8pm on Virgin Media One and Virgin Media Play.