Two homes seeking about €495k: A smartly appointed B-rated three-bed in Co Wexford or a small but perfectly formed two-bed bungalow in one of Dublin's most desirable suburbs?
Both of these homes offer a sense of escape and a village life of sorts.
Break free from the Greater Dublin area and its commuter belt for a slower pace of life, but still within less than a two-hour drive of the capital or retreat from the city in pretty Arts and Crafts Foxrock.
Turn-key contemporary coastal in Wexford
Address: Hollygrove, Carrick-on-Bannow, Carrick, Co Wexford, Y35Y761
Asking price: €499,000
Estate Agent: Kehoe & Associates
With a national school 300 metres down the road, this detached three-bedroom house, plus attic rooms, has space for all the family.
Situated on the edge of Carrick-on-Bannow village, the double-fronted, box bay home, built in 2018, is well designed throughout and has a B1 Ber rating.
The ground floor opens into a large hall and is centred around the open-plan kitchen cum dining cum living room that runs the depth of the house.
A trio of industrial-style pendant lights over the dining table at the front is a decorative detail that is repeated over the kitchen island.
The master bedroom is on the ground floor and features a walk-in wardrobe and en-suite bathroom.
The second bedroom is also at this level.
On the first floor, there is another bedroom, plus two more attic rooms with Velux windows as well as a second open-plan living area which can be used as a playroom/speciality room.
An open-plan office completes the first floor and leads into the two remaining bedrooms.
Pro: Village life is on the doorstep
Con: Wexford town is a 30-minute commute
South Dublin two-bed bungalow
Address: 5 Brighton Lodge, Brighton Road, Foxrock, Dublin 18, Foxrock, Dublin 18, D18N9W7
Asking price: €495,000
Agent: Lisney Sotheby's International Realty
This affluent suburb boasts terracotta tiled Arts and Crafts-style homes and is a part of the city that playwright Samuel Beckett, singer Joe Dolan, and broadcaster Miriam O'Callaghan all once called home.
Brighton Lodge is a gated development of just 21 homes built in 1993 that emulate that decorative period.
Measuring 47 square metres, the two-bedroom D1 Ber-rated bungalow is situated in the heart of the village.
Beyond its charming brick facade and ornate chimney breast, the house features an open-plan living space to the left of the front door.
The bright living room has a gas fire and a box bay window that brings in loads of natural light.
Off the living room is the kitchen, accessed via an arch painted a terracotta colour that covers its walls.
This is a compact space with vanilla white cabinets, tiled flooring and laminate countertops.
Measuring almost 10 square metres, the principal bedroom utilises its space superbly, with built-in mirror-panelled wardrobes framing the bed. This room overlooks the small garden.
The second bedroom is smaller and could also be used as a home office. It has direct access to the paved and brick exterior.
Pro: Gated location in the heart of the village
Con: Small with little scope to extend
