Starter homes in commuter town

OnTheMarket: Fifty more homes at D24 scheme. Last 10 at NCR scheme near Park. Final phase in D13 scheme.

OnTheMarket: Fifty more homes at D24 scheme. Last 10 at NCR scheme near Park. Final phase in D13 scheme.

Viewing re-starts this weekend at Somerville, an attractive development of two, three and four-bed houses in Ratoath, Co Meath. Agent Sherry FitzGerald New Homes will man showhouses this weekend.

Buyers so far have been a mix of young professional and families looking for a combination of rural lifestyle and reasonable proximity to the city. Ratoath is 15 miles from O'Connell Street.

Prices are from €219,995 for two-bed townhouses. Three-bed houses of 89 sq m (960 sq ft) cost from €247,995. Three-storey four-bed houses of 126 sq m (1,358 sq ft) start at €299,995. Four-bed detached houses of 146 sq m (1,570 sq ft) are priced from €405,000.

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Being built by Kingscroft and designed by architects McCrossan O'Rourke Manning, Somerville has a variety of brick tones and 10 acres of open space along the Broadmeadow River. These are traditional houses with private back gardens. Inside, heating is by natural gas. Fitted kitchens include chrome appliances and wall tiling. Houses in this phase of Somerville will be ready for occupation by the summer.

Fifty more homes at D24 scheme

Fifty two, three and four-bed apartments, duplexes and townhouses goes on view this weekend at The Belfry, a Hollioake Homes project in Citywest, Dublin 24.

Sherry FitzGerald New Homes will be staffing showunits at this ongoing scheme, which is on a north-facing slope in the foothills of the Dublin mountains. Prices will attract first-time buyers, with two-bed apartments from €222,500 and three-beds from €279,995.

Some units are ready for occupation. Others will be released in phases up to autumn 2005. Designed by architects Peter White & Associates, The Belfry includes a range of house types and sizes, catering for first-time buyers and families.

Low-maintenance redbrick and pebble-dash exteriors are complemented by plain concrete roof tiles. Good landscaping is intended to preserve the rural context of the surroundings.

Inside, good quality kitchens include appliances and ceramic wall tiling is standard. Wall tiling is also included in bathrooms and en suites. Something to appeal to most buyers - a 12-jet Jacuzzi bath is included at no extra cost.

Last 10 at NCR scheme near Park

Selling from plans with Hooke & MacDonald this week are the last 10 apartments at Bradogue Court, a small scheme by Stonebriar Properties off the North Circular Road in Dublin 7.

Construction has started and they should be ready by this summer, according to the agent. The 10 apartments in this final phase are two-beds, both apartments and duplexes. Prices take into account the scarcity of residential sites so close to the city centre, with two-bed apartments of 58-76 sq m (625-820 sq ft) from €315,000. Two-bed duplex apartments of 70 sq m (750 sq ft) cost from €340,000.

The location is close to the Phoenix Park on Annamoe Road. Phibsborough is also close by. The four blocks are laid around a central courtyard and surrounded by landscaped gardens. Most residents' car-parking is underground.

The facade is contemporary with security gates and a roof garden. Units purchased this week will be ready for completion by this summer.

Final phase in D13 scheme

Show units will open this weekend at The Orchard, a development off the Malahide Road in Dublin 13 where the final phase of 15 apartments is going on sale. Hooke & MacDonald is the selling agent.

One-beds of 40.5-45 sq m (435-480 sq ft) are priced from €205,000; two-beds of 61-73 sq m (660-790 sq ft) cost from €255,000; and three-bed duplex units from €290,000 have 83 sq m (895 sq ft) of living space.

Developed by Albany Homes and designed by architects O'Dwyer & Associates, the contemporary apartments are laid out to create the maximum natural light within a courtyard setting.

Standard features include electric central heating, kitchen units, bathroom fittings and wardrobes, with en suites off most main bedrooms. The location is close to a bus corridor and adjacent to the new Clare Hall Tesco superstore. Construction is advanced and apartments booked this weekend will be ready to move into within the next two months.