Four first-time buys...

...from Dublin to Quin

Capital: €265,000

ADDRESS: 23 Echlin Street, off Thomas Street, Dublin 8. BEDROOMS: one. SIZE: 31sq m (335sq ft). PARKING: on-street. LINKS: bus. STAMP DUTY: none. AGENT: Young's. WEB: www.youngsauctioneers.com.

DESCRIPTION: situated in the Guinness quarter, this top floor apartment has an entrance hall with two fitted storage presses and a lounge with views of the nearby churchyard and brewery. The kitchen has Shaker-style units. Double bedroom and shower room.

Commute: €335,000

ADDRESS: 1 Kingsbry, Maynooth, Co Kildare. BEDROOMS: three. SIZE: 55sq m (605sq ft). PARKING: yes. LINKS: bus. STAMP DUTY: €10,050. AGENT: Berkeley and Associates. WEB: www.berkeley.ie.

DESCRIPTION: built in 1984, this corner bungalow just off the M4 is adjacent to the Glen Royal hotel. It has a lounge, a kitchen with tweed-effect fitted wall and floor units, and an attic converted into a bedroom with an en suite.

Countrywide: €280,000

ADDRESS: 50 Foxfield, Carrickmacross, Monaghan. BEDROOMS: three. SIZE: 120sq m (1,300sq ft). PARKING: yes. LINKS: bus. STAMP DUTY: none. AGENT: Shane O'Hanlon. WEB: www.shaneohanlon.ie.

DESCRIPTION: located in a cul-de-sac, this three-bed semi has a sittingroom with bay window and a marble and oak fireplace, a diningroom/kitchen with fitted units, a utility room and downstairs toilet. The main bedroom is en suite. Large rear garden.

Country: €300,000

ADDRESS: 10 The Park, Quin, Co Clare. BEDROOMS: three. SIZE: 123sq m (1,325sq ft). PARKING: yes. LINKS: none. STAMP DUTY: none. AGENT: Sherry FitzGerald McMahon. WEB: www.sherryfitz.ie.

DESCRIPTION: detached house on a corner site just six miles from Ennis. In a development which incorporates a riverside walk and open parkland, it has a livingroom, family room, kitchen/diningroom and utility room. Mature rear garden.