IF YOU are having difficulties getting on the property ladder, you may want to consider buying a former police station instead - for less than the average house price in the north.
Four former PSNI stations are up for sale by the Lambert Smith Hampton property group, with prices ranging from £85,000 to £175,000.
Less expensive than houses in many parts of the north, where the average property costs £142,000, the sites also contain a considerable chunk of land for any new owner preparing a change of use application.
The sites in Dromore, Co Down, and Garvagh, Eglinton and Dungiven in Co Derry, are all centrally located in each town and there should be more than enough space to park your car and fit in any pets, with the smallest site measuring 3,820 sq feet.
The sites have already attracted interest since they were advertised at the start of the year, according to a spokesman for LSH.
"We have had strong interest in them and have sold several other former police stations in the last 18 months. We are confident that the asking price will be met," he said.
Described as "suitable for residential and commercial development", among the prospective new owners showing interest include businessmen for the Dromore, Dungiven and Garvagh sites, with developers keen on building houses in Eglinton and Dungiven.
The company said it was hopeful that offers would be in a position to progress by the end of March, after the minimum 12-week mandatory advertisement period for former government buildings.
* FOR SALE: The former police station in Dromore, Co Down, above, is on the market with an asking price of £85,000, while top right, the former police station and accompanying land in Eglinton, Co Derry, is up for sale for £125,000 and anyone looking to get on the property ladder for £175,000 can purchase the former PSNI station in Dungiven, left