Four first-time buys from Dublin to Longford.
Capital: €395,000
ADDRESS: 13 Arklow Street, Stoneybatter, Dublin 7. BEDROOMS: two. SIZE: 49sq m (527sq ft). PARKING: on-street. MAINTENANCE: walk-in order. LINKS: bus. STAMP DUTY: €23,700. AGENT: Gunne. WEB: www.gunne.ie.
DESCRIPTION: small but perfectly-formed, an artisan cottage with eclectic interior and pretty terrace garden. Tile and larch floors, sittingroom with gas fireplace, maple kitchen with granite-look worktops and Bosch appliances and bathroom with shower.
Commute: €315,000
ADDRESS: 63 Hillcrest, Kilcullen, Co Kildare. BEDROOMS: three. SIZE: 107sq m (1,150sq ft). PARKING: driveway. MAINTENANCE: showhouse condition. LINKS: bus and motorway. STAMP DUTY: none. AGENT: DNG Dowling Fitzsimons. WEB: dng.ie.
DESCRIPTION: three-bed semi in a cul-de-sac, built in 2003. Overlooking Castlemartin Stud, with sittingroom, kitchen/diningroom and utility. Wood floors, maple kitchen with appliances and en suite off the main bedroom. Landscaped gardens.
Countrywide: €245,000
ADDRESS: 3 St Theresa's Terrace, Kilkenny city. BEDROOMS: two. SIZE: 69sq m (743sq ft). PARKING: roadside. MAINTENANCE: in good order. LINKS: bus. STAMP DUTY: none. AGENT: Sherry FitzGerald McCreery. WEB: www.sherryfitz.ie.
DESCRIPTION: walking distance of the city centre and in turn-key condition, with large front and back gardens. Original doors and fireplaces preserved, gas central heating, bay-windowed sittingroom, kitchen/diner with smart wood-look units and utility.
Country: €230,000
ADDRESS: The Thatch, Kilglass, Legan, Co Longford. BEDROOMS: two. SIZE: 140sq m (1,507sq ft). PARKING: driveway. MAINTENANCE: restored. LINKS: none. STAMP DUTY: none. AGENT: Sherry FitzGerald Davitt & Davitt. WEB: www.davittanddavitt.ie.
DESCRIPTION: restored 200-year-old cottage on half an acre, for sale fully furnished down to paintings and cookware. Colourful interior, with two large bedrooms, equipped beech kitchen with bar and sittingroom with cast-iron stove. Thatched shed and stone garage.
