Garden space adds to possibilities with detached Blackrock residence

GO for the gardens and you won't go wrong. You could pour money into the house, double it in size, still have a huge site, and its value would rise exponentially. That's because of its back garden vista.

Newly up for sale is 3, Sandy Lawn, a detached four-bed house in a small scheme off Cork's Castle Road, Blackrock.

Built on large sites in the late 1990s by O'Brien and O'Flynn builders, the house has over 2,000 sq ft of internal space, and a site of about a third of an acre, running down to an old estate stone wall bordering the Castle Road.

Look over the wall and you'll see the River Lee in all its shipping, boating and glistening glory, while just to the west, towards the city and the narrowing river channel stands Blackrock Castle, in its renewed glory. The bulk of the gardens are to the back of the brick-facade house, so there's privacy to add into the mix on offer.

So, to the house and what you'll have to pay: estate agent Michael Downey of ERA Downey McCarthy Murphy guides no 3 at €675,000, up a bit on previous sales - but then it is a year or so since the last market arrival here.

And Mahon's makeover around the riverside walkway here, and the peninsula's new image post-Mahon Point opening, has driven residential values - witness the e1 million-plus new house arrival at the Jacob's Island scheme last month.

While no 3 Sandy Lawn is in good overall condition, it isn't close to the sort of property it could be, or that its location deserves, so expect to pay initially at least for a decorative make-over and upgrade.

However, think bigger, and think about adding on to the left hand side, where there's plenty of garden space available to build on.

A 3,500 sq ft home here wouldn't be out of place, subject to planning permission, and the end value of such a residence would be well in excess of €1 million.

As it stands the property has two reception rooms, a study, a kitchen/dining room with garden and river views, utility and guest WC, while two of its four bedrooms have en suite shower rooms.

Heating is by gas. There's double glazing all round, a low-maintenance exterior, and the garden has had a very good start made in landscaping terms.