A wide variety of houses suited to first-time buyers as well as people wanting to trade up goes on the market this weekend in Swords, Co Dublin. Homes in the second phase of the Ridgewood development range from two-bed townhouses costing £113,950, up to detached homes costing up to £217,500.
It is two years since the first homes were launched in the development, built by the MKN Property Group. Seventy houses out of 87 to be built in the second phase were released this week - but only a small number of units are likely to be available after today. A large number of people on a waiting list viewed the houses earlier this week, and by close of business last night, most had been sold. Sales are being handled by by agents Hooke & MacDonald. A further phase is expected to be launched later this year, and a new waiting list has already been started.
Fourteen two-bedroom townhouses are priced from £113,950; 14 three-bedroom end-of-terrace houses from £124,950; 20 three-bedroom semidetached houses from £135,950; and 20 four-bedroom semi-detached houses from £159,950. Two detached houses on end sites cost £212,500 and £217,500. The site is reached by turning left at the first roundabout past the Coachman's Inn. A winding country road brings you past Forrest Little Golf Club and the granite walls and sweeping entrance to the Ridgewood site are on the left.
Landscaping has been a high priority on this development, and lime trees and privet hedges line the avenues. Because of the diversity of house types, purchasers are likely to range from first-time buyers to couples with young families trading up. The two-bedroom houses will also interest retired couples. The houses are finished with much attention to detail. Standard features include good kitchens with provision for built-in equipment, wardrobes in all bedrooms, expensive cast-iron and timber fireplaces, ceiling centrepieces made by a local craftsman and downstairs cloakrooms.
Frontages are half brick and rendering, with tiled porches and bay windows in the larger houses. The cheapest house, an 820 sq. ft two-bed, costs from £113,950 to £116,950. It is one of the best-designed two-bedroom houses on the market.
The hall door of this house has stained glass panels. There is a guest cloakroom under the stairs. A kitchen/breakfast-room at the front has a bright dining area and units built to take a concealed fridge freezer and washer/dryer. Blue and white wall tiles are standard. The sitting-room is spacious and bright with a period style fireplace and room for a small dining table.
Upstairs, there are two double bedrooms with fitted wardrobes. There is room for an optional en suite with the main bedroom.
Gardens in all houses are good-sized, and come seeded and planted with a tree back and front. Trellises for climbing roses provide a screen at the front porches of the larger houses.
The three-bedroom 1,010 sq. ft end house costs from £124,950 to £131,000. This house type also has a hallway with stained glass door and guest cloakroom. The front sitting-room has a period-style fireplace and double doors to a roomy kitchen/dining area ideal for a family with young children.
Beech-style units with provision for built-in equipment are a special feature. Wall tiles are embossed white. Upstairs, there are two double bedrooms and one single, all with wardrobes. The main bathroom has a second entrance from the main bedroom.
The three and four-bedroom bay-windowed semi-detached houses are larger at 1,150 and 1,220 sq. ft. The three bed costs from £135,950 to £154,950, and has a bay-windowed sitting-room with a French-style stone fireplace and doors to a big dining-room with a sliding glass exit to the garden. The kitchen/breakfast-room has beech type units and a bright windowed area.
The landings of the larger houses are wider than usual due to clever use of angled doorways. The main bedroom to the rear is en suite, and a second double and one single bedroom have fitted wardrobes. The family bathroom is upstairs too. The four-bedroom semi-detached house will suit a growing family looking for more space. It has a cloakroom off the hall and double doors to a very large sitting-room with period style fireplace. Double doors lead from this to a dining-room opening on to the garden. -The kitchen has a family dining area by the window and a utility room off it.
The main bedroom also has a bay window, fitted wardrobes and an en suite. There are two further double bedrooms and a single room, all with good wardrobe space, and a family bathroom.
The two detached houses, costing £212,500 and £217,500, have a family room and large utility room and big corner sites.
