Auction action due on the Western Road

CORK is unusual in that houses rarely go for auction in the city – perhaps the southern temperament prefers a quiet deal, or there’s a reluctance to pay up front – or even, it might be letting the world know you have the money.

Sat, 23 Oct, 2010 - 01:00

Rose Martin

Auctions are standard practice in farm sales, but this week sees the launch of a once-in-a-blue-moon residential auction at Bernadette Way on Western Road, scheduled for November 10.

Andy Moore, who cut his teeth on the cattle and farm auction circuit of the midlands, is to bring ‘Norwood’, at Bernadette Way under the hammer in two lots.

Directly across from the Cork Clinic and backing onto Mardyke Walk at the rear, it’s a three-bed house with outline planning for a detached mews at back.

No 3 Bernadette Way has a reserve of €250,000 and the site at the rear has a reserve of €130,000.

“Basically, I have two very saleable properties from a location and price viewpoint and I believe the reserves as set will allow me to sell both properties with relative ease,” asserts Moore.

“In my experience in the property market, if the vendors are reasonably realistic, then the market is there for them.”

The house, which has been underpinned, is 1930s in date and has 1,180 sq ft of space, with lots of original features, he says.

It comes with a drawing room, sitting room/dining room with French doors outside, a galley kitchen and rear porch with bathroom.

The first floor has three bedrooms and a main bathroom and the house has long, south-facing gardens onto Western Road.

The site, meanwhile, faces north onto Mardyke Walk, with mews houses to its left and right.

There could be potential to create a unique, detached house here, subject to planning, particularly as it’s just a walk to the city.

In terms of amenities, this is one of the best locations in the city – it’s green and leafy, central, but not suburban.

And there could be a good turnout on the day, because the thing about an auction is you don’t know how the cards will fall – and who knows, there could be a bargain to be had?