Trading up: Ballinlough, Cork €425,000

Billing No 1 Knockrea Lawn as a family home par excellence, estate agent Mark Rose notes there are four national schools all within walking distance of this four-bed, detached Cork suburban house, on the city end of the Ballinlough Road near Bellair estate.

In fact, it’s just around the corner too from Our Lady of Lourdes girls’ NS — pressed into polling station duty again yesterday, so a whole cohort may have seen the Rose Property Service ‘for sale’ board: auctioneer Mark Rose will be hoping for a vote of approval here.

Built around the 1980s, and extended since with a sun room wrap-around, there’s a good mix of space, inside and out, with a separate, detached study/gym/workshop by the drive. With a part brick and part dash exterior, No 1 Knockrea Lawn has a parquet-floored hall, two reception rooms, kitchen with Shaker units and breakfast bar, utility, and guest WC. plus sun room with pine sheeted ceiling.

All four bedrooms have built ins, three have wood floors, and the master bed is carpeted and has an en suite bathroom.

The family bathroom has a separate shower cubicle and Jacuzzi bath, and hot water comes from solar panels, while a new efficient boiler has been fitted, helping secure a C2 BER.

VERDICT: About a mile or so from the city centre, No 1 Knockrea Lawn has shops, schools and sports facilities aplenty near to hand.