Trading up: Douglas, Cork €440,000

This four-bed home called Cara is one of a small handful of ‘new’ kids on the block at Trabeg Lawn, off Cork’s South Douglas Road, less than 1km from the suburban village’s plethora of amenities.

Size: 155sq m (1,670 sq ft) 

Bathrooms: 3 

Bedrooms: 4 

BER: B3

Built in 2001, at the end of a short cul-de-sac of mainly 1950s semi-ds, it’s a smart, modern home with a lofty rear living space, with high-ceilings, pine panelled, and with an entire apex/gable end of glazing, overlooking a well-landscaped back garden.

It’s one of two similar detached homes at this end of the cul-de-sac, with Glencurrig over the wall and where one or two other detached Trabeg homes were also built as late arrivals.

Estate agent Mark Rose of Rose Property Services guides Cara at €440,000, with large master bedroom en suite. He can expect it to go well in bidding, given the area’s popularity.

Although Trabeg Lawn is close to a good range of schools, it’s likely that most viewing and bidding interest will come from older families, couples or traders down, given the back garden’s low-maintenance design, with small central lawn and lots of paving, while the front is concreted for parking and turning.

The main, back living/sun-room space has a wood-burning stove, and there’s also a dining area, kitchen, utility, and optional ground- floor fourth bedroom.

VERDICT: Modernity gives it an edge