Starter Homes: Four Cork homes ideal for first-time buyers

Homes for first-time buyers to consider across the county for €285,000 or under

Mon, 15 Aug, 2022 - 15:45

Trish Dromey

Sunday’s Well, Cork
€315,000
Size	73 sq m ( 785 sq ft)
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	2
BER	D2

Overlooking the River Lee on Sunday’s Well Road, No 2 Rose Arden is a well embellished and rather distinctive Victorian terraced property.

Lower in height than many of the other properties in the long terrace by the river, this house and its matching neighbour are gable-fronted and have a castellated porch as well as gothic arch doorways and decorative red fascia boards.

Selling agent O’Connor Murphy says the location is mature, leafy and well regarded and that the two-bed property has charm and many original features.

“The location — close to UCC, Fitzgerald’s Park, and the Mardyke, and just a 20-minute stroll from Cork City centre — is very desirable,” adds auctioneer Clodagh O’Connor.

Dating from the 1830s, it’s an owner-occupied property which has been upgraded with a modern kitchen and bathroom and double glazing.

At the front of the house, there’s a timber-floored living room which has a fireplace and a set of double doors leading into a dining room. In an extension at the rear, there is a small kitchen with modern cream units and also a bathroom. Up on the first floor, the property has two bedrooms.

Accessed by a set of steps, the house has a paved area at the front with views across the river to the Mardyke.

Listed with an AMV of €315,000, No 2 Rose Arden is set to be auctioned online on youbid.ie on September 29.

VERDICT: It needs some modernisation but is distinctive and charming with river views and lots of potential.

Macroom, Co Cork
€230,000
Size	86 sq m (930 sq ft)
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	1
BER	F

The owners of this renovated property situated midway between Macroom and Ballyvourney have added a few decorative touches to make their home a little more glamorous than the average country cottage.

The hallway has gold wallpaper, black and white chequered tiles, a gold mirror, and a hat collection, while the sitting room has a chandelier.

Seeking offers of €230,000 for the two-bed cottage on a site of an acre, auctioneer Killian Lynch says it’s attractive, quirky and affordable and has picket fencing and pink roses in the front garden.

Located at Lackaneen, Lissacreasig around 8km from both Macroom and Ballyvourney, the the 100-year-old cottage has been extended and upgraded.

“The owners who bought it around 15 years ago put in double glazing, oil-fired heating and some insulation,” says Mr Lynch who believes the F BER rating doesn’t reflect the amount of work done.

There’s 930 sq ft sq ft of living space, including the glamorously decorated hallway which opens into a timber floored sitting room with a cast iron fireplace. A set of double doors at the rear opens into an extension with a kitchen diner which has a vaulted ceiling.

At the other side of the cottage, there are two prettily decorated bedrooms and a bathroom. The owners fitted both a jacuzzi bath and a shower cubicle in the bathroom and decorated with wall art, ornaments and pot plants.

Set against a wooded backdrop the cottage has a long gravelled entrance lawned gardens and mature trees.

VERDICT: Affordable and quirky with an extra-large garden.

Shannonvale, Clonakilty
€285,000
Size	98 sq m (1,054 sq ft)
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2
BER	C2

There’s quite a bit more on offer at No 6 Shannonvale near Clonakilty than you would find in a typical three-bed mid-terrace townhouse.

It is an old stone-built millworkers cottage which has been upgraded and extended.

Located in Shannonvale village, it’s listed with Hodnett Forde and has a guide of €285,000.

The cottage has a sitting room and dining room with traditional features as well as a modern kitchen and sunroom. There’s also a bathroom and three bedrooms, one en suite.

VERDICT: Nicely upgraded and has an outside room which could be a home office.