Op isn't buying a house in 2014, it'll be 2018 very soon. There are currently 56 semi-detached 3-bed houses advertised on daft in Laois, only 6 are under 100k. Since 2010 the property price index has 254 sold. Only 10 were under 50k and another 32 between 50k-75k. Did you mix up Laois with Cavan...