Starter Homes: Four homes from €250,000 to €350,000

Properties in Sunday's Well, Castlemartyr, Kilfinane and Bandon

Bandon, Co Cork
€330,000
Size	90 sq m ( 970 sq ft)
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2
BER	A3

The approach of winter makes A rated properties like this modern three-bed end of terrace house at 2 Cedar Mews, Coolfadda in Bandon look especially attractive.

“It’s a contemporary well-kept owner-occupied home with an air-to-water heat pump and an A3 BER rating, which means it has low running costs and is eligible for a green mortgage,” reveals Majella Galvin of DNG Galvin, who is seeking offers of €330,000.

Part of a 2019-built development of 22 houses, it’s located on the northern side of Bandon within a 20-minute walk from amenities in the town centre.

Offering 90 sq metres of living space, it has a laminate floored sitting room with a corner window and a stove and, at the rear, a contemporary kitchen/diner with high gloss cream units and an almost fully glazed back wall.

Off the hallway, there’s a guest WC while the upper floor has a bathroom and three bedrooms, including two with sliderobes.

At the front, there’s a residents' parking area and at the rear, a lawned garden enclosed by fencing and a wall.

Ms Galvin says it’s perfect for a young couple, but being easy to keep and heat, may also appeal to downsizers.

Back in 2019, No 2 Cedar Mews sold as a new build for €249,971. The most recent sale in the development was of No 21, a three-bedroom mid-terrace house, which went for €325,000 in August.

VERDICT: Should be toasty come winter.

Kilfinane, Co Limerick
€350,000
Size	165 sq m
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	3
BER	C3

Rural relocation could provide a purchaser with more space and larger gardens than they might be able to afford in city areas, as well as much better views.

This four-bed detached house at Ballyroe Upper near Kilfinane village in Limerick could look very attractive to a buyer contemplating such a move. “It has sweeping views of Golden Vale countryside as well as 165 sq metres of living space and half an acre of gardens,’’ says auctioneer DJ Hayes, quoting a guide of €350,000.

Built as a family home in the late 1990s, it’s a well-maintained property with oil-fired heating, double glazing and a C3 BER.

Accommodation includes a front sitting room which has a fireplace and a stove, and sliding doors which open into a sunroom which was built on as a later addition. Alongside this is a kitchen/dining/ living room with cream units, a Belfast sink, a Stanley cooker and an archway opening into a living area. In a single-storey section at the side, there’s both a utility and a guest WC.

A timber staircase leads to the first floor, which has a bathroom and four bedrooms, including one en suite.

Out front there’s a lawned area with parking, and to the rear a large private garden bounded by trees. To the side, there’s a large block-built shed/ garage which would make an ideal workshop.

Located half a km from shops and amenities in Kilfinane village, it’s within an hour’s drive from both Cork city and Limerick city. “ The area, close to the Ballyhoura mountains, is popular with hikers and walkers,’ adds Mr Hayes.

VERDICT: Ideal for remote or hybrid working

Castlemartyr, Co Cork
€285,000
Size	87 sq m ( 937 sq ft)
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2
BER	C2

A modern three-bed semi with an affordable guide of €285,000, No 9 Bridgetown Crescent in Castlemartyr is set to attract first-time buyers from Cork city.

“It’s just a 30-minute drive from the city centre, “observes John Hornibrook of Colbert & Co, noting that it’s also within easy reach of Midleton and the coast.

An 87 sq metre property built in the early 2000s, it has a C2 BER. Downstairs there’s a living room, a guest WC and a kitchen/diner with modern units, while upstairs has a bathroom and three bedrooms.

It has an open-plan garden with parking at the front and an enclosed one at the rear.

VERDICT: Three-bed semis in this price range are always popular.

Sundays Well, Cork
€250,000
Size	91 sq m (980 sq ft)
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	2
BER	E1

Hillcrest at 11 Sunday’s Well Road needs upgrading and modernisation but can be seen as an excellent investment opportunity.

So says Niamh Smith of Absolute Property, who is guiding the three-storey, mid-terrace house at €250,000. The Sunday's Well location is very sought after, she says, noting that purchasers will be able to apply for a vacant property refurbishment grant.

The four-bed house is located within a 20-minute walk from UCC and the city centre.

VERDICT: Bidding is already up at €300,000, so it seems to be in demand.