Spacious starter homes in growing commuter town

DUNDALK FROM €279,950:Spacious suburban houses in a scheme that is to include a 3.5-acre park are aimed firmly at the first-time buyer market.

THIRTY WELL-DESIGNED houses at a new scheme on the outskirts of Dundalk come to the market this weekend, aimed firmly at the first-time buyer market.

McGarrell Reilly Homes' Marlmount is a development of three, four and five-bedroom houses on the Old Dublin Road on the Dublin side of the town.

The scheme will comprise 320 houses when complete and will incorporate a 3.5-acre park with cycle track.

Joint agents Hooke & MacDonald and Sherry FitzGerald Carroll will be selling the first 30 houses on site at the scheme this weekend.

Prices start at €279,950 for three-bedroom semi-detached houses and go up to €450,000 for five-bedroom detached houses. In between there is a good range of house styles and sizes.

In total, there are seven house types on offer and seven show units on site will give house-hunters a flavour of what is on offer.

The three-bedroom entry-level houses are well laid out and have between 101sq m and 108sq m (1,085sq ft and 1,160sq ft). They cost from €279,950 to €294,950.

There are two types of four-bedroom houses. They have three double and one single bedroom. They range in size from 116sq m to 137sq m (1,245sq ft to 1,475sq ft) and are priced from €315,000 to €384,950.

Finally, there are three types of five-bedroom houses. They range in size from 153sq m to 185sq m (1,640sq ft to 1,990sq ft) and are priced from €410,000 to €450,000.

The two larger styles have two en suite bedrooms. In addition to a large living/diningroom running the length of the house, these houses have smaller family rooms to the front of the house.

Good finish and well-laid out space are the big selling points at Marlmount.

Kitchens are by McNally Kitchens and feature high gloss units, stone or granite worktops and lots of storage space.

Many of the house styles have utility rooms with a door out to the side of the house. The smaller three-bedroom houses have a nook in the guest toilet to accommodate a washing machine.

Each house has an attractive stone fireplace suitable for solid fuel or gas fires. Good use has been made of windows to maximise natural light.

Outside the back gardens have patio areas and seeded lawns.

Detached houses have been given a higher spec, including extra height ceilings. Buyers of detached homes will also have a choice of four internal paint colours and four kitchen styles.

Houses have natural gas-fired central heating and particular care has been taken with insulation resulting in a B2 energy rating for the houses.

The scheme has a good suburban location. Felda Health & Fitness Spa and Geraldine's GAA Club are in walking distance. Dundalk town centre is a 10-minute drive and the village of Blackrock is even closer.

This is the first scheme in Dundalk for McGarrell Reilly. Previous developments include Malahide Marina Village, Lusk Village, Stepaside Park and Steeplechase in Ratoath.

FACTFILE

NAME:Marlmount, Dundalk

NUMBER OF HOUSES:30

PRICES:from €279,950 for three-bedroom semi-detached houses of between 101sq m and 108sq m (1,085sq ft and 1,160sq ft); from €315,000 to €384,950 for four-bedroom houses with between 116sq m and 137sq m (1,245sq ft to 1,475sq ft); five-bedroom houses of 153sq m to 185sq m (1,640sq ft to 1,990sq ft) from €410,000 to €450,000.

FEATURES:McNally Kitchens; high level of insulation resulting in a B2 energy rating; gas-fired central heating; patio areas; en suite bedrooms; and 3.5-acre park with cycle track when development is complete

JOINT AGENTS:Hooke & MacDonald and Sherry FitzGerald Carroll

WEBSITE:www.hookemacdonald.ie & www.SherryFitz.ie