Address: 28 Pembroke Grove, Pembroke Woods, Passage West, Cork
Type: Four-bedroom semi detached
Note: Two living/reception rooms
Contact: RE/MAX Cork & County, 23 Marlboro Street, Cork City 021-4277745
Price: €270,000

Address: 86 The Orchards, Kinsale, Co. Cork
Type: Four-bedroom semi detached
Note: Comes fully furnished
Contact: Barry Nagle, Global Properties, 021-4877133
Price: €315,000

If buying your first home is on your mind, we at Bank of Ireland are here to help you. Whether you have found the home you want to buy, are still looking for the right place or are just thinking about it, a chat with our mortgage adviser will help you get on track.

Address: Derragh, Cullen, Mallow, Co. cork
Type: Four-bedroom detached
Note: Cul de sac location
Contact: Peter Barry, Peter Barry Property Consultant, Auctioneer and Valuer 087-6609060

Not having been tainted by previous exposure to the property market, it is widely believed that any recovery in that sector will come from those making their first purchases. This newspaper last year held a first time buyers' event that was attended by those hoping to purchase and those hoping to sell.

Address: 3 Melbourn Close, Donnybrook, Douglas, Cork
Type: Four-bedroom semi detached
Note: Three-car driveway
Contact: Con Nagle, Global Properties 021-4877133
Price: €355,000

Address: 17 Fernway, Classes Lake, Ovens
Type: Two-bedroomed ground floor apartment
Note: Excellent opportunities for first time buyers, lease to buy scheme
Contact: Con Nagle, Global Properties, 021- 4877133
Price: €210,000

The seemingly unending catalogue of woes that have hit Irish homeowners over the past number of years is set to worsen, albeit in a limited number of locations. The notion that when it rains it pours certainly seems to be in vogue in certain parts of Ireland as homeowners, already faced with negative equity, spiralling mortgage repayments and relentless interest rates, now have to deal with a plague of pyrite.

Fresh and zesty shades are big news this spring with a deep yellow colour such as Spring Breeze by Dulux being very prominent in interiors. It's a versatile colour that can be used in different tones and with a variety of other colours to create very diverse looks. It's uplifting, fizzy and crispy, whether you want to achieve a sharp architectural look with blocks of colour on feature walls, or a soft, serene space with a wrap-around pale shade.

Address: 71 Beech Road, Muskerry Estate, Ballincollig, Cork
Type: Three-bedroom, semi detached house
Note: Prime location
Contact: Bowe Property, 021 4879007
Price: €270,000