Starter home: Ballincollig, Cork €225,000/€275,000

Come west along for choice, says estate agent Peter Skuse of two quite different family home offers, with €50k in the price difference, and which he has just lined up in Ballincollig.

Sq m 118/151 (1,280 sq ft/1,630 sq ft)

Bedrooms: 3/4

Bathrooms: 2/3

BER: E2/ N/A 

Cheaper is the elder of the two at €225,000, No 125 Rosewood, a three-bed semi-d built by the well-regarded Bradley Brothers, probably dating to the 1970s, with converted garage, and a double-size car-port still in place.

It’s ideal for car, bike or boat enthusiasts, all on the sort of corner site that doesn’t get offered too much anymore.

The Cahalane Skuse selling agent says No 125’s a good-sized home, with two reception rooms, family room in the garage conversion, with a guest WC, and three overhead beds plus main bathroom.

It’s been dry-lined, the attic has upgraded insulation, and there’s double-glazing, yet has a seemingly poor E2 BER.

Jump up the price scale and Mr Skuse has 58A The Cloisters, in the Brompton Homes-built scheme of mostly semi-detached homes.

Built in 2008 on a site reserved by the developers, No 58 A is different, as it’s one of the very few detacheds here.

And, marking it out as “a bit special, and definitely worth a look”, it’s a decent 1,600-plus sq ft too, with a more modern interior and has two of its four bedrooms en suite, adds Mr Skuse, guiding at €275,000

VERDICT: Positives with each option, and €50k in the difference.