Starter Homes

SKEHARD ROAD, CORK €215,000

Sq m: Sq m 102 (1,110 sq ft)

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 4

Broadband: Yes

There’s a feelgood factor to areas around Skehard Road and Mahon in Cork right now — the area is hoovering up well-paying office jobs, and there’s even a new private Mater hospital due to open at City Gate early in the New Year.

Well placed for any re-locators is Jalna, a four-bed detached bungalow at 27, Oakdene, just off the Skehard Road by Bridge House. It has the green amenity walkway along the old Blackrock railway line close to hand, as is Mahon Point, the CSO and a host of other amenities. The 1,100 sq ft single story house is priced at €215,000 by agents FML Properties, who say it is very well kept.

VERDICT: The area’s undergoing a quiet boom, with high hopes of further jobs announcements.

ROCHESTOWN, CORK €225,000

Sq m: 107 (1,150 sq ft)

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 1

Broadband: Yes

A garage-style conversion adds to the overall floor area of the three-bed semi-d at 9, Manor Orchard, off Coach Hill.

Part of the McInerney Thornbury development in Rochestown, No 9 at the end of Thornbury View now has a kitchen/dining room running the house’s full 25’ depth, albeit only about 8’ wide.

But, this frees up the rest of the back of the house for a very decent family room (18’ by 12,’) and there’s also a standard-sized front lounge, and both rooms have fireplaces.

There’s a good balance of living rooms and sleeping space, says Sherry FitzGerald agent Ann O’Mahony, with three bedrooms and bathroom.

VERDICT: Good space for a young family.