This is a solid house — built by a person in the construction industry — so an engineer’s report should be a doddle. But then, Dún na Séad will appeal for a host of other reasons —not least its private location on Crosshaven’s Upper Road.
A zip to Cork city, close to Carrigaline, but with the sea on its doorstep, this detached property has views galore.
It overlooks the RCYC and Currabinny Woods and is set in a very private and quiet, cul de sac.
And at the guide of €375,000 it’s at half of what it would have been five years ago and doesn’t require any extra investment, says selling agent, Malcolm Tyrrell of Cohalan Downing. It has been consistently maintained and upgraded over its long period of single ownership, he adds.
Dún na Séad offers generous space which comprises a really good lounge of 23’ by 17’, a smaller family room, a study, kitchen/ breakfast room, (with full height glazing and vaulted ceiling) and separate larder and utility rooms on the ground floor.
The first floor has three double rooms with fitted wardrobes and the master bedroom is en suite. The main bathroom has a separate corner shower,
VERDICT: This house is well designed, attractive, with lots of extras.
ROCHESTOWN, CO CORK €300,000
Sq m: 168 (1,800 sq ft)
Bedrooms: 3
BER rating: Pending
Broadband: Yes
THIS week, in the bicentenary of Charles Dickens’ birth, it’s appropriate that a house at 7 Norwood Court should come on the market: the famous writer has a rather strong connection with the area around this Rochestown Road property
He visited Altavilla (just above the property and on whose grounds it was built), during his visit in 1858 on a book reading tour and while there heard the strange story of a jilted bride and stored the tale away until that Cork bride re-emerged later as Miss Havisham of Great Expectations.
Altavilla went on to become the Norwood Court Hotel, its grounds were built upon and most recently the building was renamed as Havisham House, in honour of the literally connection.
And it could be said that the Rochestown Road encapsulated a real estate version of Great Expectations for a while, but now is chastened, along with the rest of the market.
No 7 Norwood Court will need complete refurbishment, according to estate agent Malcolm Tyrrell of Cohalan Downing, but it has a south-facing, quarter acre site in a great location.
VERDICT: Hard Times needn’t make for a Bleak House: this property could be worth the time and effort.
KILLARNEY, KERRY €210,000
Sq m: 140 (1,500 sq ft)
Bedrooms: 3
BER rating: Pending
Broadband: Yes
THERE’S been lots of things added on inside and outside at this detached Killarney home newly up for sale — and at an all-in asking price of €210,000.
The three- bed home, in pristine order, has had two wing extensions added onto its southern side, one of which is a bright tall-ceilinged sun-room.
And then, on top of that, there’s also a detached garage, and a separate detached storage building as well, all making for quite a sheltered enclave to the rear.
Selling agent is Michael Coghlan of Sherry FitzGerald Coghlan, who stresses its overall condition and attractiveness, all on a half acre site
Location is just a few miles from the town centre, at Tiernaboul, up above the Cork Road, so it’s convenience personified, he adds, while the house is in walk-in condition.
Rooms include an oak-floored sitting room with solid fuel stove on a simple low granite plinth, a very smart kitchen/dining room with solid wood tops on the units, a pine-ceilinged sun room with French doors to the rear garden near the store/utility building, plus an en suite master bedroom with home office off it to one side.
VERDICT: A nice pleasant home and mix of useful extra detached buildings, on a half acre, at an affordable price.
DOUGLAS, CORK €375,000
Sq m: 122 (1,320 sq ft)
Bedrooms: 5
BER rating: Pending
Broadband: Yes
There’s more than first meets the eye at a scan of this five-bed Cork suburban home called Fatima House — there are two more rooms at attic level, with bathrooms, not counted in its floor area of just over 1,300 sq ft.
Located on the main Grange-Frankfield road above Douglas, Fatima House is new to market with agents Sherry FitzGerald who guide the detached, family home on a private site at €375,000.
And, somehow or another, it also manages to get all five of it first floor bedrooms with en suite bathrooms — a bit of a hint that it served as a guesthouse in the past.
However, it is now being pitched to families most of all, and anyone with teenagers will appreciate the sheer number of bathrooms on offer — until it comes down to deciding who has to clean them.
The two-storey (plus attic conversion) painted dash house is in good overall condition, with gas heating, and a gas-fired Rayburn in the 21’ by 17’ kitchen/dining room with Ash units, backed up by integrated electric ovens. Other rooms include a lounge, office and dining room/family room.
VERDICT: An affordable, multi-bedroomed home for growing/grown families, with lots of bathrooms.
BERRINGS, CO CORK €350,000
Sq m: 257 (2750 sq ft)
Bedrooms: 5
BER rating: Pending
Broadband: Yes
THIS is a fine, big house and it’s on the market to sell — so Marie Fleming of Blarney Auctioneers is seeking offers in the region of the asking price.
And there is bang for buck here — build and finish a house to the standard of Taobh Coillte today and it would cost more that the asking of this one-off home.
In an accessible, rural location, this is a property package that’s big enough for a large family, has room for a pony, a garage for tinkering and a location that’s close to Tower and Blarney as well as being a short commute to Cork city and Ballincollig.
And there’s a good national school locally at Berrings village and a school bus passes the door, according to Ms Fleming.
The property is less than five years old and has a really good quality interior, with the top of the range kitchen, a 20’ by 20’ deck and a host of extras.
The house is fully finished, has a range of bathrooms (two en suite rooms), a range of living space and separate office — what’s not to like?
This is a tick-box house and a walk-in job and it has a great site — just in time for spring too.
VERDICT: With commuting easy, this house is really a dream property for a family who want to keep it country.
Picture: property in Berrings, Co. Cork
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Saturday, February 11, 2012