Past perfect: retro townhouses offer 1,240 square feet for just €280,000

A LINE of soft, yellow houses faces down a valley at Marmullane, Passage West, in Co Cork and the aspect means that each three-storey unit has lower harbour views.

These retro-style townhouses are good value for money when you consider the space on offer and it has not gone unnoticed.

Jean Shanahan, of auctioneers DNG Harris, says she has sold five of the nine properties on offer. Some of the remaining four may sell prior to publication.

On the market at €280,000 and measuring 1,240 square feet, these three-bedroomed houses come with two en-suite bedrooms and a large main bathroom. For first-time buyers the houses offer potential rental income, because one of the bedrooms is on the ground floor, off the main entrance hallway. The main living rooms are up a flight of stairs: the kitchen/diner faces out over the valley and the main living room has direct access to the garden.

The garden is special, a large, terraced space that will be walled-in when finished and will be a challenge for nascent gardeners.

The living room measures 17' by 11' and has French doors accessing the garden and double doors to the landing.

Here, a stairs leads to two bedrooms and the main bathroom on the second floor.

The master bedroom is the piéce de résistance. It has a walk-in wardrobe and is en-suite, features not often available in properties at this price range.

Heating is gas and zoned. Outside, there's parking for two cars. On the city side of Passage West and overlooking the Pembroke Wood development, these townhouses are close to the city and the range of amenities available in Passage West.

That town has shaken off the dereliction of past years and is fast becoming a desirable location in which to live.