Capital: €400,000 ADDRESS: 20 Oakland Crescent, Rathgar, Dublin 6.

BEDROOMS: 2. SIZE: 74 sq m (800 sq ft). PARKING: On-street parking. LINKS: Bus. STAMP DUTY: €24,000. AGENT: Finnegan Menton. WEB: None.

DESCRIPTION: Located in the heart of Dublin 6 between Rathgar and Palmerston Park, number 20 is one of 28 maisonettes dating from the 1930s. In need of modernisation, the bright first floor apartment has a dual aspect kitchen, two double bedrooms and a livingroom overlooking the square. It has its own garden and garage.

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Commute: €250,000  ADDRESS: Garda House, Assumpta Villas, Kildare, Co Kildare.

BEDROOMS: 4. SIZE: 111 sq m (1,200 sq ft). PARKING: Ample. LINKS: Train, N7. STAMP DUTY: None. AGENT: Sherry FitzGerald countrywide. WEB: www.sherryfitz.ie.

DESCRIPTION:This pretty semi is located only two minutes' walk from the train station, which gets you to Dublin in 30 minutes. It has three bedrooms in the main house and a bedroom and small kitchen in a converted garage. There is also a separate garage.

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Countrywide: €210,000  ADDRESS: Forge Hill, Strokestown, Co Roscommon.

BEDROOMS: 4. SIZE: 149 sq m (1,600 sq ft). PARKING: Room for two cars in the drive. LINKS: N5. STAMP DUTY: None. AGENT: Real Estate Alliance Murtagh Brothers. WEB: www.murtaghbros.ie.

DESCRIPTION:One of 16 houses available in a new development in Strokestown, 14 miles from Longford and 18 miles from Roscommon. Accommodation: lounge, kitchen/dining, utility, guest toilet, four bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom and garage.

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Country: €225,000 ADDRESS:Fairhill, Crecora, Co Limerick.

BEDROOMS: Two attic bedrooms. SIZE: 44 sq m (475 sq ft). PARKING: Ample. LINKS: N20. STAMP DUTY: None. AGENT: Property Partners de Courcy O'Dwyer. WEB: www.propertypartners.ie.

DESCRIPTION: Located just seven miles south of Limerick this quaint cottage has been totally refurbished to a very high standard. On 0.5 of an acre, the property has good development potential and also has a conservatory, mature garden and garden shed.