Starter homes: Rosscarbery, West Cork €229,000

Size: 168m (1,800 sq ft)

You only have to go inside the doors of the detached family home at 1 Cnoc an Aitinn, Inchinattin in West Cork to get a feel for its quality touches and finishes. So says agent Andy Donoghue of Hodnett Forde, of this modern 1,800 sq ft home with large gardens, finished-out attic rooms as play or office rooms, and four bedrooms, two of which have en-suites.

On a quarter-acre, the three-storey house is impressive, says Mr Donoghue, with particular attention paid to lighting (Italian glass lights, LEDs, etc) and woodwork, with hardwood floors. There’s also a secure west-facing back garden.

Location is inland yet close to Rosscarbery and Clonakilty, each a brisk ten minutes drive away with beaches along that intervening coastline. There’s a lot of quality home here for the money, according to the selling agent.

Rooms include hall, linked kitchen/dining/conservatory or sun room with triple aspect, as well as a 21’ by 12’ sitting room with Charnwood wood burning stove, along with utility and guest loo. Kitchen units are in cream-painted timber and walnut, with integrated units.

Upstairs the master suite has a sleeping area, dressing room, and en suite, and a second bedroom also has an en suite. There’s a stairs to the second floor, home to an open-plan play area, with storage room beyond.

VERDICT: Interior is a stand-out.