Harbour Vista has potential

BEAUTY, they say, is only skin deep. So, can the same ‘skin-deep’ line of demarcation apply to something at the lower end of the prettiness scale?

Harbour Vista in Aghada, East Cork, won’t win glamour-puss prizes at first glance, its flat-laid stone facade is more crazy paving than the deeper sort of stone finishes that have held sway for the past decade and more.

Yet, it could be folly to judge too harshly and too swiftly. Harbour Vista is a grand 1,800 sq ft four-bed family home in an elevated private setting above the village of Aghada looking out over Cork harbour that could be rapidly enhanced with a bit of cosmetic surgery and decor changes.

It is on the market with Eilish Honan of Sherry FitzGerald O’Donovan in Midleton, who seeks €650,000 for the trading-up home in a prime area.

Built about 25 years ago, it still has many of the design hallmarks of that time, such as the painted ‘fairface’ block walls inside in the high-ceilinged lounge, and big picture windows.

This big home has a hall, steps down to a large lounge 25’ by 13’ with soaring ceiling, open fireplace and big windows, a dining area, kitchen, breakfast room/TV room, utility, two guest WCs, and four big bedrooms, one with en suite, plus main family bathroom.

There’s also a big railed first floor balcony above the entrance hall to encourage lay-a-beds to savour the views back into the harbour and towards East Ferry.

The house is in good overall condition, with gas central heating, but will probably get a decorative make-over. Its site of about one third of an acre, privacy, setting and aspect will make any further expenditure well worthwhile, says Ms Honan.

If the location, 10 minutes out of Midleton suits but the money’s a problem, Sherry FitzGerald O’Donovan also have a four-bed bungalow across the road from Harbour View for about the €500,000 mark.