Today’s recommendations focus on the first and often most stressful real estate purchase, the “starter home.” One is a little bit country, the other a little rock and roll, but both are affordable and cute. So which one would you rather move your IKEA sofa and your parents’ coffee table into? Have a peek and let me know. Happy looking.

219 Gittings Avenue
$219,000
3 br/1 ba
Sunday, May 6, 1 – 3 p.m.

This brick Cedarcroft cottage is the real estate equivalent of a giant smiley face. It’s so cheerful, it practically giggles. A tidy little yard leads the way to a sunshine yellow interior that dares you to be in a bad mood. And why would you be? Everything is newly renovated, freshly painted and fastidiously clean. Even the less visible elements (air conditioning system, boiler and roof) are shiny and new. All you need to do is crank up Simon and Garfunkle’s “Feelin’ Groovy” and enjoy the summer in your first house. Visualize: Tons of Dwell Studio for Target, it would be perfect in here.

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1454 Covington Street
$349,000
2 br/2.5 ba
Sunday, May 6, 1 – 3 p.m.
Is there mandate to expose any and all brick written in the Federal Hill building code? Well, fear not, this townhouse has plenty and happily the charms don’t end there. There is an industrial-cool open stair case, recessed lighting, a stained glass window and a newly renovated kitchen in its bag of tricks. Sure, the paint colors could use some tweaking but that seems a fun way to make the place really feel like your own. A perfect backdrop for some downtown hipster living. Visualize: Hitting the Hampden consignment shops for some mid-century furniture finds. The current owners have some and it looks fab.