Under starter’s orders

AND they’re off. The first new homes launch of 2005 around Cork city is a batch of just under 100 homes at Ashmount Court, Silversprings.

The main market in housing terms in 2005 is widely expected to be first time buyers and new home builders will be competing hard with the secondhand market after the budget's removal of stamp duty on secondhand homes for fledgling buyers, on values up to €317,5000.

The first home buying market is the segment targeted here, too, where prices for new buyers and aspiring home owners start at €215,000 for a three-bed, corner town house.