Starter Homes: Four Cork homes for less than €350,000

It’s a toss-up as to whether Hillside Cottage’s location – two km from Fountainstown beach – or its €295,000 guide price is the biggest selling point.

“Properties in the Crosshaven area are always popular and properties costing less than €300,000 are always in high demand, says Johnny O’Connor of Barry’s auctioneer who booked thirty viewings at the two-bed bungalow during the week.

A 1960s-built property with a quarter of an acre site, Hillside Cottage was bought by current owners around nine years ago. “They modernised and redecorated and brought the BER rating up to a C3 BER,’’ says Mr O’Connor noting that it has oil-fired heating, a stove and double glazing.

Inside the two-bed property, there’s a living /dining room with timber flooring and a fireplace with a stove as well as a modern kitchen with navy and white shaker-style units. In all, there’s 73 sq metres of living space which also includes a bathroom and two bedrooms.

Outside there are generous-sized gardens with a pretty pink camellia tree and ample playing space. A buyer who wants a larger property has plenty of scope to extend.

Located at Hoddersfield, two km from the beaches of Fountainstown and Myrtleville, Hillside Cottage is three km from Crosshaven and around six km from Carrigaline.

“It’s an attractive well-maintained owner-occupied home with countryside views,” says Mr O’Connor noting that the majority of viewings are with first-time buyers.

VERDICT: It might very well exceed its guide price

Retirees with thoughts of escaping city life and enjoying lazy days by the coast might want to take a trip to West Cork to take a look at 6 Ard Cuan in Eyeries.

The blue end of terrace three-bed house is in fact currently owned by a couple of retirees who moved to the colourful seaside village from the UK seven years ago.

“They bought and finished the 2007 built property and made it into an attractive and conformable home while also adding polytunnel in the garden so they could grow their own vegetables,” reveals Olivia Hanafin of Sherry FitzGerald O’Neill.

Offering views of rugged mountainous countryside and of Coulagh Bay, it is on a terrace of three houses located within a few minutes walk from village amenities.

Inside its bright blue exterior, it has 104 sq metres of space which includes a front living room with an insert stove, and at the rear, a modern kitchen with shaker-style units. Off the hallway there’s a guest WC while the upstairs has a bathroom and three bedrooms including one en suite Fitted with double glazing and central heating, the house has a B2 BER rating.

Located at the side, there’s a garden which has a shed and a polytunnel and can accessed from patio doors in the kitchen and living room.

A development of just six houses, Ard Cuan is located six km from Ardgroom village and eight km from Castletownbere.

Seeking offers of €345,000 Ms Hanafin expects the scenically situated property to attract holiday home buyers as well as retirees.

VERDICT: A modern home/ holiday home for a buyer who wants to be near the sea

A three-storey terraced property on Belgrave Avenue in Cork’s Victorian quarter, Vernon Mews offers panoramic views across the city rooftops.

Victorian, but modernised and upgraded around 15 years ago, the three-bed property is in need of some redecoration but Dermot Lynch of Howard Auctioneers believes it has excellent potential. “It’s within walking distance of the city centre, has stunning views and would make an ideal starter home.”

A narrow 72 sq metre property, it has a bathroom and three bedrooms( one en suite) and a long open plan living/dining /kitchen area on the first floor with a balcony and city views.

VERDICT: More interesting than the average terraced city property and has better views.

The €245,000 guide on Verview, 3 Knocknahorgan Cottages in Sallybrook makes the small two-bed cottage one of the most affordable properties currently available in the Glanmire area.

A mid-terrace 1900s-built cottage, it’s on the market with Paul Fenton of Sherry FitzGerald who says it’s been upgraded and extended in recent years and is in good decorative order.

Accommodation includes a sitting room, a kitchen, a bathroom and two bedrooms. Fitted with double glazing it has a D1 BER.

VERDICT: Could appeal to downsizers and young couples.