Starter Homes: Four Munster properties on the market from €275k

First-time buyers can choose from homes across Cork City, Maryborough, Castleisland and Ballincollig

Mon, 14 Oct, 2024 - 09:45

Trish Dromey

Dominick St, Cork
€275,000
Size	85 sq m (915 sq ft)
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2
BER	C3

Possibly the quirkiest property on sale in Cork city centre at present, No 13A Dominic street has had some of its walls and floors decorated with mosaic tiled images and patterns by its owner.

“The owner is an artist who lives on the ground floor and rents out the rooms on the upper floor on Airbnb,” reveals Terry Hayes of Hayes Property who is seeking offers of €275,000 for the three-bed property which he describes as unique and charming.

Since buying the 1900s built mid-terrace property, the owner has upgraded the gas heating and the windows, redecorated, and carried out a little unconventional reordering of the layout.

The house has 85 square metres of accommodation which at ground level includes a small bedroom/sitting room, a bathroom and a kitchen with modern units and some mosaic tiled patterns.

The first floor has a bedroom with a colourful mosaic design as well a timber floored room with fitted units which is used as a kitchen/diner cum bedroom. The top floor has two bedrooms and a bathroom in which the owner has created mosaic images on the floor and walls and painted fluffy clouds on the ceiling.

Located within a ten minute walk from the city centre, the property is expected to appeal to first time buyers. “ A buyer could use it as a three-bed home or use part of it for short term letting like the current owner,’’ says Mr Hayes.

VERDICT: Affordable, central and quite unconventional.

Maryborough, Cork
€295,000
Size	74 sq m ( 800 sq ft)
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	2
BER	B3

Online bidding on this modern two-bed ground-floor apartment at 38 Manor Avenue, Maryborough Ridge in Rochestown has been competitive.

Within three days of its first viewing, bidding on the property had gone up €319,000 and is likely to go higher.

Johnny O’Connor of Barry Auctioneers says the high level of interest is due to the Rochestown location and the fact that this is a well-maintained, owner-occupied property with upgraded bathrooms and an improved B3 BER.

VERDICT: A very popular choice.

Castleisland, Co Kerry
€310,000
Size	168 sq m ( 1,803 sq ft)
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	2
BER	D2

On the market with a guide of €310,000, this spacious four -bed detached house at Castleview Drive in Castleisland could look very attractive to a Killarney buyer.

That’s according to Laura O’Sullivan of Stuart & Co auctioneers who says the supply of four-bed properties in the area is limited and that this one is more affordable than many properties of this size in Killarney.

Built in the 1980s, it’s been well maintained by its owners, who over the years upgraded the heating and fitted aluminium double glazed windows and, more recently, built on a sunroom.

One of 14 individually built, detached properties in Castleview Drive, it doesn’t have a number. Viewers will however be able to find it with its postcode and can identify it as the only white house in the cul de sac with mock Georgian style front windows.

Ground floor accommodation in the property includes a long carpeted living room with a fireplace, a kitchen /diner with shaker style units, a dining room, a utility/ shower room and a tiled sunroom. There’s also an integral garage used for storage which could be put to a variety of purposes.

The upstairs has a bathroom and four bedrooms. Although well maintained, the house is in need of updating and new owners might want to improve the D2 BER. Ms O’Sullivan says that since it has been vacant for two years it may qualify for a vacant property refurbishment grant.

Located within walking distance of local shops, Castleview Drive is 23 km from Killarney and 16 km from Tralee.

VERDICT: A mature four-bed home with good space and an affordable guide.

Ballincollig, Co Cork
€299,000
Size	69 sq m ( 750 sq ft)
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	3
BER	C2

Given the scarcity of affordable starter homes in Ballincollig, Global Properties expect 35 An Caislean Drive – which is guiding at €299,000 – to attract good first time buyer interest.

A two-bed mid 2000s built mid-terrace property, it has 69 sq metres of accommodation which includes a living room, a kitchen/diner and a guest WC as well as a bathroom and two bedrooms, one en suite.