Starter Homes: Four Cork properties on the market from €240k

First-time buyers can choose from homes across Clogheen, Ballincollig, Mogeely and Blackrock, writes Trish Dromey

10 Blackrock Mews, Convent Rd Blackrock

Clogheen, West Cork
€240,000
Size	90 sq m
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2
BER	D1

Although No 21 Clogheen Holiday Village near Clonakility looks like a typical holiday cottage it is, quite unexpectedly, an upside down house which has its main living space on the top floor.

Built in the late 1990s, it started out not as a holiday home but as part of a games room in the small 20 unit holiday home complex. Selling agent Frank O’Driscoll of Hodnett Forde auctioneer says that around 12 years ago or so a section of the games room building was sectioned off and converted into this rather unusual three-bed end of terrace property.

Offering 90 sq metres of living space it has three bedrooms (one en suite) and a bathroom on the ground floor while the converted attic has a split level kitchen dining space with several Velux ones and a gable window offering countryside views.

It's been used as a holiday home and has been well minded but has electric heating and a D1 BER rating and will probably require updating and modernisation.

“The €240,000 guide price makes it very attractive to first time buyers,’’ says Mr O’Driscoll explaining that the majority of the houses in Clogheen Holiday Village are now owner occupied.

“The complex has communal green areas, a tennis court, a playground area as well as communal parking,’’ he reveals.

Located two km from Clonakility, the property is around a km from the coast and three km from Inchydoney beach 

VERDICT: Quirky, affordable and close to the coast.

Ballincollig, Co Cork
€280,000
Size	91 sq m (980 sq ft)
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	2
BER	B3

There’s good space and a large southwest facing balcony in this top floor duplex at 14 Newgrange, An Caislean in Ballincollig.

Occupying the third and fourth floor of the complex, it’s a 91 sq metre two-bed property with a guide of €280,000 Norma Healy of Sherry FitzGerald says the former rental property is in good condition and is conveniently located within a short walk from shops in Ballincollig and within a short bus ride from Bishopstown, UCC and MTU.

The lower floor has two bedrooms, one en suite and a bathroom while the upper one has a living room, a kitchen/diner and a balcony.

VERDICT: Affordable – with an asking price which includes contents.

Mogeely, Co Cork
€330,000
Size	100 sq m ( 1,076 sq ft)
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	3
BER	A2

Moving to the East Cork village of Mogeely could be an option for a young couple taken with the idea of buying a modern A rated three -bed for €330,000.

“In phase three of Cois Maigh development, we are now offering seven mid terrace three-bed houses for €330,000 in The Oaks in addition to eight end of terrace ones for €350,000,” says Shane Finn of DNG Creedon Finn O’Connor.

“The houses in the Oaks are now under construction and will be completed by the end of the year,” he adds, explaining 40 similar properties in The Elms have been sold in the last two years . In the current phase, The Oaks, there will be 15 100 sq metre terraced houses as four semi-detached four-bed ones ( 122 sq m) priced at €390,000.

“The houses will have A2 Ber ratings and will include sanitary ware as well as kitchen and the purchasers can have an input in the choice of kitchen fittings, " says Mr Finn.

The development is located within a few minutes walk from Mogeely village and is two km from Castlemartyr and nine km from Midleton. Mr Finn believes that the Cois Maigh properties are going to look especially attractive to people working in Little Island (22 km away) and Carrigtwohill (15 km).

Noting that the scheme is eligible for the Help to Buy Scheme and the First Home ( shared equity) scheme, Mr Finn says the purchase of a house in The Oaks could prove an affordable alternative to renting.

VERDICT: New homes in this price range are very scarce.

Blackrock, Cork city
€295,000
Size	75 sq m ( 807 sq ft)
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	2
BER	C2

The most obvious selling point for 10 Blackrock Mews on Convent Road is its Blackrock location.

“Blackrock properties are always popular,’’ observes Niamh Smith of Absolute Property Management, quoting a guide of €295,000 for this two-bed 2007 built ground floor apartment.

Additional selling points include a southwest facing patio garden and the fact that the 75 sq metre property is bright, modern and well maintained.

It has an open plan kitchen /diner and a kitchen with cream gloss units as well as bathroom and two bedrooms, one en suite.

VERDICT: Could look good to a first time buyer.