On track: refurbished two-bed on Cork’s Albert Road

THE trains to west Cork have gone for the past half-century from the vicinity of Albert Road and Albert Quay in Cork city centre, but the location is still right on track for urban area home hunters.

Up for sale at an affordable level is the compact and handily-set two-bedroom city home, 58 Hibernian Buildings, Albert Road – a minute or two walk from the landmark Elysian tower and city hall.

It hit the market seeking €147,950, but is already under offer at €150,000, as it is within the comfortable buying reach of a wide cohort of first time buyers. At the €150,000 mark, if a prospective purchaser is chipping in around €25,000 of their own money for an 85% mortgage, monthly repayments will come in at €500 a month, say selling agents Dooley and Howard.

Recently overhauled, the inner city home is at a quiet spot – an easy walk to the city centre and there are pleasant walks to the Marina and beyond. An added extra is a green area and children’s playground called Shalom Park, a respectful doffing of the cap to the former Jewish area known as ‘Jew Town’.

The house was recently refurbished, with double-glazing, doors, kitchen, etc, and with a smart, tiled ground-floor bathroom, as well with electric shower over the bath.

There are two adjoining or interconnecting reception rooms, carpeted and with coved ceilings, a gas fire, gas central heating, and a ground-floor compact kitchen with bathroom beyond. Auctioneer Dan Howard says it’s a smart purchase for a first-time buyer, able to pick up a two-bed city pad for the price of an older one-bed apartment. Parking is on-street, with resident’s permit.