The Irish Times looks at four first-time buys
Capital: €290,000
ADDRESS: 33 Knocknarea Road, Drimnagh, Dublin 12. BEDROOMS: 2. SIZE: 76 sq m (820 sq ft). PARKING: Driveway parking for one car. LINKS: Luas, bus. STAMP DUTY: None. AGENT: Property Partners Mason Estates. WEB:www.nicemove.ie.
DESCRIPTION: This pretty mid-terrace house in Drimnagh has been totally refurbished and has a livingroom, separate modernised kitchen/diningroom, two bedrooms and a bathroom. It is just a few minutes' walk from Drimnagh Luas stop.
Commute: €245,000
ADDRESS: 21 Beaulieu Mews, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co Louth. BEDROOMS: 3. SIZE: 112 sq m (1,200 sq ft). PARKING: On-street. LINKS: M1, bus, train. STAMP DUTY: None. AGENT: Gunne. WEB: www.gunne.ie.
DESCRIPTION: Located in north Drogheda, number 21 has a lounge, kitchen, utility room, conservatory, guest toilet, three bedrooms (one en suite) and a bathroom. It's a 20-minute walk from the town centre and is close to the M1, which gets you to Dublin in under an hour.
Countrywide: €269,000
ADDRESS: 14 Woodville Green, Ballymahon Road, Athlone, Co Westmeath. BEDROOMS: 4. SIZE: 123 sq m (1,325 sq ft). PARKING: driveway. LINKS: N6, bus, train. STAMP DUTY: None. AGENT: Sherry FitzGerald O'Meara. WEB: www.sherryfitz.ie.
DESCRIPTION: In walk-in condition, number 14 is one mile from Athlone town centre and just off the bypass. Furniture is included in the sale of this house, which has four bedrooms, kitchen, utility, two reception rooms and landscaped gardens.
Country: €295,000
ADDRESS: Hempstown Cottage, Blessington, Co Wicklow. BEDROOMS: 1. SIZE: 72 sq m (775 sq ft). PARKING: Ample. LINKS: N81, bus. STAMP DUTY: None. AGENT: Nugent Auctioneers. WEB: www.nugents.ie.
DESCRIPTION: A small country cottage beautifully renovated and only five minutes from Blessington village. It has a kitchen with original open fireplace and a Belfast sink. A livingroom and den, and double bedroom with exposed beams and a family bathroom.
