Irish property expert Liz O'Kane initially planned to sell her family home in Rathmines following her divorce, believing the market was favourable. However, she reversed this decision after researching the rental market, realising she could not replicate her current living situation and that local rental properties cost up to €4,000 per month with significantly lower quality. Instead of selling, O'Kane bought her ex-husband out of the property and retained ownership, despite taking on a substantially larger mortgage than anticipated.

O'Kane had lived in the Rathmines home for over twenty years and found that the practical realities of the rental market made it financially and logically unjustifiable to leave. She remains characteristically unfazed by the increased mortgage burden, emphasising that the family home represents far more than property—it offers stability, memories, and a sense of belonging that cannot be replicated elsewhere. Her experience underscores broader challenges facing separating couples in Ireland's housing market, where affording even one suitable home is increasingly difficult.