Four first-time buys from Dublin to Galway

Capital: €230,000

ADDRESS: 26 Carnegie Court, Swords, Co Dublin. BEDROOMS: one. SIZE: 51sq m (550sq ft). PARKING: yes. LINKS: bus. STAMP DUTY: none. AGENT: Flynn and Associates. WEB: www.flynnassociates.ie.

DESCRIPTION: first floor apartment in complex that includes a hotel and bar. A short walk from Swords main street with its bars, restaurants and shops, the apartment has semi-solid oak flooring, a tiled hall, a lounge/diningroom, and a kitchen.

Commute: €185,000

ADDRESS: Knockalour, Carnew, Co Wicklow. BEDROOMS: three. SIZE: 79sq m (850sq ft). PARKING: yes. LINKS: none. STAMP DUTY: none. AGENT: Arthur D Quinn. WEB: www.adquinn.ie.

DESCRIPTION: traditional two-storey cottage, three miles from Carnew and six miles from Bunclody. It has been extended over the years and has a kitchen, sittingroom, bathroom and three bedrooms. There are views of the surrounding countryside. The garden area to the rear has a garage and stone outbuildings.

Countrywide: €240,000

ADDRESS: 3 Estuary Woods, Christendom, Ferrybank, Waterford. BEDROOMS: three. SIZE: 93sq m (1,001sq ft). PARKING: yes. LINKS: bus. STAMP DUTY: none. AGENT: O'Shea O'Toole. WEB: www.osheaotoole.com.

DESCRIPTION: close to Waterford city, the house has never been occupied and has a bathroom with a separate toilet, a livingroom with bay window, a solid cherrywood kitchen with recessed lighting, and a utility room with worktop and hot press.

Country: €335,000

ADDRESS: Ballinduff, Ardrahan, Co Galway. BEDROOMS: four. SIZE: 160sq m (1,722sq ft). PARKING: yes. LINKS: none. STAMP DUTY: €10,050. AGENT: Sherry FitzGerald Farrell. WEB: www.sherryfitz.ie.

DESCRIPTION: dormer off the main Galway/Limerick route. Accommodation includes a sittingroom, diningroom and a kitchen with integrated appliances. The main bedroom upstairs is en suite. The house is fitted with a radon barrier and has a stone front porch.