Starter Homes: Four Cork homes with prices starting from €270k

A waterfront duplex in Midleton; a Glanmire three-bed with a large garden; a groundfloor apartment in Ballinlough; and a three-bed terraced Blarney home

Top left: 1 Charleston Wharf, Bailick Rd; top right: 1 Parkmoor, Blarney St; lower right: 9 Marwood Green, Riverstown, Glanmire; lower left: 4 Bellair Close, Ballinlough

Waterfront Midleton duplex could really float your boat

Midleton, Co Cork
€295,000
Size	93sq m (1,003sq ft)
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	3
BER	B3

Waterfront living with large windows, bright living spaces, and estuary views is on offer at 1 Charleston Wharf, Bailick Rd.
“It has stunning views of the Owenacurra Estuary and Ballyannon Woods and also has a patio overlooking the water where an owner might, like other owners, keep a kayak,” says Ed O’Donovan of Sherry FitzGerald O’Donovan.

The huge windows combine with a high ceiling to let a great deal of light into the 93sq m two-bed duplex. The living/dining area is timber floored with a small kitchenette and wide double doors which open on to the west facing patio. The ground floor also has a guest WC. A curved steel and timber staircase leads to the first floor which has a bathroom and two bedrooms including a galleried en suite one with water views.

Built in 2003 it’s a well maintained former rental property which has been repainted for sale. Within days of advertising it, Mr O’Donovan secured a bid of the €295,000 guide price. A nearby duplex, No 4 sold for €335,000 earlier this month.

Located around 1.5 km from the town centre, it would make a spacious stylish home for a young couple but could suit a variety of buyers including retirees who might appreciate the views and the convenience of duplex living.

VERDICT: There are places where you would pay a much higher price for waterfront living.

Large garden at three-bed Glanmire home which also overlooks a central green area

Glanmire, Co Cork
€380,000
Size	97sq m (1,044sq ft)
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	3
BER	B3

Through a stroke of luck with the layout of the development, No. 9 Marwood Green, at Riverstown in Glanmire has ended up with more than its fair share of garden.

“It has one of the largest gardens in Marwood and is one of just a small number of three bed-semis in the estate with a large side garden,” says Paul Fenton of Sherry FitzGerald Cork pointing out that this gives a new owner a lot of scope to extend.

Listed with a guide of €380,000 it’s a 2002-built ex-rental.

“Well maintained and repainted for sale, it’s been fitted with a new boiler which brought the BER up to a B3 and makes it eligible for a green mortgage,” reveals Mr Fenton who says he has been getting a lot of interest from first-time buyers as well as some from downsizers.

Its 97 sq m of living space includes two laminate floored sitting rooms including one at the front with a fireplace and one at the rear. There’s also a guest WC and kitchen/ diner with fitted units while the upper floor has a bathroom and three bedrooms including one with an en suite.

The house has a good-sized cobblelock driveway as well as a large lawned area at both side and rear.

Overlooking a central green area, it’s 3km from Dunkettle Roundabout and 8.5km from the city centre.

Coincidentally, Mr Fenton also sold No 9 Marwood Close, located to the rear of this property — a similar three-bed semi with a large garden which went for €425,000 in February.

VERDICT: Ticks all the boxes and has plenty of play space.

€270k ground-floor Ballinlough apartment

Bellair, Cork city
€270,000
Size	58 sq m (624 sq ft)
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	1
BER	C2

The most obvious selling point for 4 Bellair Close, Bellair Estate, is its location — close to Douglas Rd and within a 25-minute walk from the city centre.

But the two-bed ground-floor apartment has other attractions, including the fact that it’s in a small gated complex of just seven properties and has a good-sized patio garden and a parking space.

Seeking offers of €270,000, Michelle Kenneally, of DNG O’Connor Finn, says it’s a well-maintained 58sq m ex-rental with a timber-floored living room.

VERDICT: The location, condition, and price could make it very attractive to a young couple.

A three-bed terraced Blarney St home for €275,000

Blarney Street, Cork city
€275,000
Size	85 sq m (914 sq ft)
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	1
BER	C1

Good investor interest is expected in this three-bed terraced house at 1 Parkmoor on Blarney St.

“The current owner has been getting a good rental of €2,600 a month,” reveals John Corbett, of Cohalan Downing, quoting a guide of €275,000.

A well-maintained 85sq m property, it had its boiler and electrics upgraded and its attic insulated in 2020. Accessed by steps off Blarney St, it’s within a 20-minute walk of the city centre.

VERDICT: Has good rental potential but could also suit first-time buyers looking for something central and affordable.