Starter Homes in Gurranabraher, Blackpool, Crosshaven, Cobh from €195,000

If you're after a starter home with city convenience or costal views, have a look at these options

Clockwise from upper left: 31 the waterfront Lynch's Quay Cobh; 13 Saint Mary's Avenue, Gurranabraher, Cork; 5 Foley's Row, Watercourse Road, Blackpool, Co. Cork; 3 The Orchard, Church Bay Road, Myrtleville, Co. Cork

Gurranabraher, Cork City
€275,000
Size	80sq m (861sq fit)
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2
BER	E2

The owners of this three-bedroom end of terrace house at 13 St Mary’s Ave in Gurranabraher deserve high marks for presentation.

Since buying it three years ago, they have replaced flooring, replastered, wallpapered, introduced new colour schemes, and added decorative touches which have included timber panelling.

“Previous owners had extended and modernised while the current ones made quite a few cosmetic changes,” says Katie Fennessy of Sherry FitzGerald, quoting a guide of €275,000 for the 80sq m house.

A peach and pale grey colour scheme has been chosen for the front living room, which has some new timber panelling and light fittings. In the open kitchen/diner which had previously been extended and modernised with black gloss units, the owners put in a built-in counter which they use as a coffee station.

Alongside the kitchen is a bathroom, added when the house was extended. Effort has been expended on prettifying the bedrooms — two of which have cream fitted wardrobes — the owners created a floral blue feature wall in one and a striped green one in another.

The property has parking at the front and a stepped garden with a patio at the rear. The BER is an E2 and may need to be looked at.

The owners who bought 13 St Mary’s Ave for €260,000 in 2023 are trading up.

VERDICT: Affordable and nicely decorated, it could appeal to employees at Apple ,which is within 30 minute walk.

Blackpool, Cork City
€195,000
Size	50 sq m (538 sq ft)
Bedrooms	2/3
Bathrooms	1
BER	C1

For A property that started out as a terraced house in the 1900s, No 5 Foley’s Row off Watercourse Road in Blackpool is a lot more modern than you’d expect.

A result of the demolition of the house next door, it’s been changed from a terraced house into a semi-d and, thanks to the renovating efforts of its owners, the small 50 sq metre property has been quite transformed.

“Everything has been done — it’s been insulated and fitted with double glazed windows, a new roof, and electric radiators, and now has a C1 BER,” says Kevin Barry of Barry auctioneers. “Since the repairs were completed in 2022, it’s been used as a rental property,” he adds.

Tucked away in a pedestrian laneway off Watercourse Rd, the property is located within a five-minute walk from Blackpool Shopping Centre and within 15-minutes of St Patrick’s Bridge.

An exposed stone wall in the kitchen/dining/living room is possibly an original feature left in the modernised property. A small lean-to extension was added at the rear to create space for modern kitchenette. In a second lean-to extension there’s a modern bathroom; and the ground floor room also has a small room which could be used as a bedroom or a home office.

The upstairs has two small laminate floored bedrooms each with a built-in wardrobe.

The property is one of four in the laneway sharing a gravelled communal area used for storing bins. The Property Price Register shows 5 Foley’s Row selling for €95,000 in 2021.

VERDICT: A high level of online interest is expected to translate into a high level of viewings.

Crosshaven, Co Cork
€330,000
Size	86 sq m (925 sq ft)
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	3
BER	D1

From their front bedroom window, the occupants of 3 The Orchard, Church Bay Road in Crosshaven can look out on the yachts in the harbour and also see across to the woods of Currabinny.

The mid terrace three-bed property is part of a small 2002-built development of 20 houses. Glen O’Connor of DNG Finn O’Connor says it’s a well-kept former rental property.

VERDICT: A young couple might admire the views and appreciate the fact it’s more affordable than newer three-bed houses in Crosshaven.

Cobh, Co Cork
€195,000
Size	59 sq m (635 sq ft)
Bedrooms	1
Bathrooms	1
BER	C2

Expansive harbour views could prove a strong selling point for this second floor apartment at 31 The Waterfront, Lynch’s Quay in Cobh.

“From the balcony at the front you can see across to Spike island,” says Niamh Smith of Absolute Property, quoting a guide of €195,000 for the one-bed apartment. She thinks it’s likely that the 1999 built former rental property will now be bought by a first-time buyer.

There’s 59 sq metre of living space, including an open plan kitchen/living room with a balcony, a bathroom and a bedroom. It’s located within a 10-minute walk of Cobh Station.

VERDICT: An inexpensive option for a young buyer — with water views.