Starter homes: Douglas, Cork €165,000 per unit

Size: 58-60 sq m (630 to650 sq ft)

Pitched equally at first-time buyers, professionals and investors are two modern apartments at the gated Douglas House development, off Cork’s Maryborough Hill. Built in the past decade, these two-bed units (each with one en suite bedroom) are well-finished and can be bought separately, or together, and each currently produces over €11,000 a year in rent. Anthony Quinlan of Downing Commercial is selling Nos 40 and 41, and said the latter has a large usable balcony overlooking Douglas village.

VERDICT: Within a very well-landscaped scheme.