First time buys in the capital, commuter belt and countryside
Capital: €390,000
ADDRESS: 36 Pembroke Street, Irishtown, Dublin 4. BEDROOMS: 1. SIZE: 58 sq m (624 sq ft). PARKING: On-street parking. LINKS: Dart, bus. STAMP DUTY: €23,400. AGENT: Sherry FitzGerald. WEB: www.sherryfitz.ie.
DESCRIPTION: Behind the ordinary looking facade of number 36 is a bright and hip one-bed mezzanine home refurbished to a very high standard. Pembroke Road, which is also home to actor Colin Farrell, is close to Ringsend and Sandymount. An ideal starter home.
Commute: €179,000
ADDRESS: 21 Condren's Lane Lower, Arklow, Co Wicklow. BEDROOMS: 2. SIZE: 59 sq m (635 sq ft). PARKING: On-street. LINKS: Train, N11. STAMP DUTY: None. AGENT: Anne Lait. WEB: www.annelait.ie.
DESCRIPTION: In the heart of Arklow, No 21 is in excellent condition. There is a livingroom with feature fireplace and kitchen with spiral staircase leading upstais. The M50 is an hour and a half hour away by car and there is a similar journey to the city centre by train.
Countrywide: €260,000
ADDRESS: 86 Old Balreask Woods, Dublin Road, Navan, Co Meath. BEDROOMS: 4. SIZE: 125 sq m (1,345 sq ft). PARKING: Ample. LINKS: N3, bus. STAMP DUTY: None. AGENT: Property Partners Mason Gavigan. WEB: propertypartners.ie.
DESCRIPTION: This spacious four-bed semi on the east side of Navan, is a 15-minute walk from the town centre and has a lounge, diningroom, kitchen, utility room and garage. In good condition, the house has natural gas central heating and an enclosed rear garden.
Country: €230,000
ADDRESS: Ballyadeen Cottage, Ballyadeen, Castletownroche, Co Cork. BEDROOMS: 2. SIZE: 78 sq m (840 sq ft). PARKING: Ample. LINKS: Train, bus, N8, N20. STAMP DUTY: None. AGENT: Shery Fitz-gerald O'Driscoll. WEB: SherryFitz.ie.
DESCRIPTION: Totally refurbished, Ballyadeen has lots of space including a nursery, study, utility room, kitchen and livingroom. Just three miles from Castletownroche, Fermoy and Mallow are under 30 minutes drive away. Ideal for first-timers seeking country life.
