Starter homes: Ballygarvan, Cork €149,950

Size: Sq m 95 (1,025 sq ft)

It’s only over the hill from Cork city, past the airport — and, from there, Ballygarvan spans a wide south county country catchment.

The village, along the Owenabue River, has easy access back to Carrigaline and the harbour, as well as toward Kinsale, and routes to west Cork as well past Five Mile Bridge and Ballinhassig, all within an five mile spin of the airport and business park.

It’s because of all of that accessibility that it’s hard for estate agent Jeremy Murphy to predict where the new owner of 33 Gleann Alainn will come from — it’s wide open. He guides this modern three-bed with a little more than 1,000 sq ft at just under the €150,000 level: that’s about €100k cheaper than these houses sold for 10 years ago when Bride View Development built over 100 homes in this accessible village, along with some commercial units.

Since then, the local national school has had a major new building to cope with growing numbers, and the GAA has followed suit with new facilities. So, for those thinking of putting down roots, it’s a location to put on the radar.

Pitched at first time buyers, or perhaps some of the thousands of people employed at the Airport Business Park, No 33 is a three-bed mid-terraced townhouse in very good order says Mr Murphy, with en suite, guest loo and good 17’ by 13’ main reception room.

VERDICT: Community setting.