House Hunter Westport
Westport is to Mayo what Killiney is to Dublin. And so it stands to reason that properties in the town and surrounding area are more expensive than elsewhere in Connaught.
And yet, there’s some great options for ready-to-move-into three-bedroom houses available for a price tag that would get you a one or two bed fixer-upper in any of the posh parts of Dublin.
This week we’re looking at a selection of three (and one four) bedroomed properties based in the town of Westport, rather than rural locations close by. If you’re in need of three bedrooms, only two of today’s selection will offer a home-office option as-is (although a couple of the others have space to install a garden room). However, Westport is already home to two co-working spaces and I have no doubt that more will come on-stream if the demand increases.
If you’re used to being disheartened by the price of property in the greater Dublin area, prepare to be pleasantly surprised at what “the best place to live in Ireland” (officially) has to offer.
3 Beds, 1 Bath
I’m starting with my favourite and want to declare my bias up front. This mid-terrace house is being sold by a friend of mine and I lived in it for two years. I also lived in another house on this terrace for another two and a half years, and can hand-on-my-heart state this is my favourite location of all of today’s picks.
While this house does have the benefit of a lawned front and back garden, it’s probably a better option for kids that have outgrown having toys spread all over the place. Like all of the properties highlighted this week, it’s within easy walking distance of most of the schools, and less than five minutes to both secondary schools.
And if there are no kids in the equation, it’s a perfect sized home for a single or couple – not too big, not too small, but just right.
It’s in turn-key condition if you don’t need extra space, with the kitchen and bathroom having been updated in recent years. If you do need more space there is potential to expand at the rear.
There is a side entrance to the back garden which was home to about a dozen happy chickens, their roomy hen house and a polytunnel in my day, but it’s been smartened up since then. Behind the original shed (which is used as a utility room) there’s now raised beds (so you can still enjoy a spot of veg-growing) and a lovely tree-shaded spot for sitting out in – it gets some lovely light in the evening.
It’s only minutes walk from the town, and just off the main Castlebar road. However, the terrace itself is set well back from the road behind a large green, and it’s actually a quiet spot. Check out the full details here.
If you’d like more space without having to do any work to create it, here is another option at the same price. Another turn-key mid-terrace house within walking distance of everything, I would say this is definitely better sutied to a family with teens rather than smallies as it is located right on a busy road.
That said, the location is certainly handy and has all you need for a small but more mature family. And it’s also just a few minutes walk from two co-working spaces on the edge of town.
In addition to living and kitchen, the ground floor also has a utility room and downstairs loo. And the enclosed back yard is low maintenance, beautifully presented and has the benefit of a storage shed as well. The bathroom has a shower and no bath, but again this is an ideal scenario for teens, not so great for younger kids. And the master bedroom has a walk-in wardrobe – always a win in my book!
Check out the full details here.
This end-of-terrace is the farthest from the town centre, but is walking distance – and also located opposite a playground and the gaelscoil primary school.
While not the prettiest of today’s interiors, it is in fairly good decorative order and leaves plenty in the budget to bring more of the cute factor. Meanwhile it has undergone extensive upgrades in terms of energy efficiency and it has a pretty garden that leaves some of the other options in the shade. It’s definitely one to check out for a smaller household. Read the full details here.
At the top end of our €220K budget, we have another end-of terrace with a bit more room to offer than the others. With four bedrooms (all ensuite) and a separate TV room, it offers options for a home-office. Like some of the others, it has room to expand at the back, and in this case it comes with the planning permission in place.
Location-wise, this one is more than on the edge of town – it is practically in the heart of it. Tubber Hill is a residential street however, so it’s one step removed from all the hustle and bustle, while having the advantage of being just the shortest of strolls to whatever you might need. Check out the full details here.
Although this is one of the pricier of today’s picks I wouldn’t describe it as turnkey. For sure it could do with some decorative updates.
That said, it has a lot of plusses going for it.
The eat-in kitchen is roomier than some of the others and it also has a utility room. It has four bedrooms, although one of these is on the ground floor and might be better used as a home-office – again, a plus. And the master bedroom is en-suite. The stove in the living also has a back-boiler, and the location is handy to town, while having the benefit of not being directly on a busy road.
I’m not a fan of tiled living room floors and I’d be adding that to the updates needed. But that’s a matter of taste and not everyone is as anti-tile as I am. (I wouldn’t even put them in the kitchen, or bathroom!)
And the right paint job could add a bit more curb appeal to the exterior. Having seen the benefits of an extension/renovation completed by a friend on a neighbouring house, this definitely does have potential to be a stunning home. See the full details here.
Next time we’ll explore what’s on offer in Galway. In the meantime, you might also be interested in some of the posts below. And if you’d like some custom house-hunting done on your behalf, including in-person vetting of properties, then please get in touch.
Cottages for Sale in Sligo under €200K.
Three and Four Bedroomed Houses in North Mayo.
Four 4-bedroomed Homes in South West Mayo.