With increased job opportunities and much commercial development Longford town is becoming very popular with first-time buyers.

In the past investors represented the biggest proportion of the retail market, keen to take advantage of the tax incentives available in the county. However, in the last year to 18 months this has changed and first-time buyers are driving the market, according to auctioneer Jonathan Quinn. Young people moving to Longford to work for Abbott Laboratories are anxious to get onto the property ladder. Other first-time buyers are opting to live in the town and commute to Athlone, Mullingar and Dublin.

A four-bed detached house in the Cartrun Breac development on the Lisbrack Road within walking distance of the town centre costs €222,500.

For €195,000 you will get a three-bed semi-detached house in the Bo Dearg development on the Drumlish Road close to the N4 and within walking distance of the town centre.

Meanwhile, first-time buyers are still able to go for the once-off rural housing option in Longford if they are prepared to pay in the region of €250,000.

"This is getting more difficult but there are still opportunities to do so," Mr Quinn explained. Otherwise outlying towns and villages such as Ballymahon, Edgesworthtown and Kenagh are experiencing development on the residential property front.

Ideally situated on the main Athlone to Longford Road about 10 miles from Longford Town, villages such as Kenagh are proving popular with first-time buyers who can get a lot more for their money if they are prepared to live outside town.

A three-bed semi in a new development in Kenagh, a village south of Longford, will cost €157,500. A large four-bed detached home in the village costs €247,500.