Suburban semi-d’s back in demand
Sure, new and nearly-built stock in far-flung secondary locations will take years to match up with buyers — but the old ground rules of location X 3, and pent-up demand, may be seeing stability returning in the settled, three-bed suburban market.
In Cork city’s case, semi-d building boomed from the late 1940s onwards, in locations like Bishopstown, Douglas, within a walk, car, bus or bike ride of the city centre. Now, the generation that were reared in them are glad to get the chance to move back to old stomping grounds.
Back in the height of things, such dated three-bed houses were, briefly, making €400,000 to €500,000-plus: now, values are back typically to the €250/300k mark for those needing freshening up and updating, while the already worked-on models are up in the €300/400k bracket, at best.
Two approximate neighbours, each fine houses and examples of the genre, in the Ballintemple/Ballinlough/Douglas hinterland serve to illustrate the case.
Brand new to market is 29 Ardmahon Estate, up near the old Lovetts restaurant/Churchyard Lane end of the network of criss-crossing estates off the Well Road. In proudly immaculate yet dated order with 1,170 sq ft, plus garage, it is priced at €310,000 by Ann O’Mahony of Sherry FitzGerald, and is good enough to move straight into and tweak according to personal taste and budgets. Some cream paint could calm down the busy front facade and porch’s stone, for starters.
Its kitchen is fairly modern, and even changing the floor vinyl for wood or tiles would make the necessary changes, and off it is a very decent utility/laundry room.
The first floor bathroom has been upgraded already, is nicely tiled and with a good corner shower unit, and all of the rooms seem a foot or so larger than the usual run of such semis: it’s a generous home with a reassuring feel, on a wider than standard site too.
It has a teak-framed front porch, gas central heating, and aluminium double glazing, with attached garage, and a small courtyard between the garage and utility, all very extendable. Carpets are fresh, a bit swirly in places, but really, as older semis go, this is a feel-good home set to charm visitors.
Meanwhile, done up already and now up at about 1,600 sq ft thanks to a side extension giving a bigger kitchen, utility and guest loo with shower is No 2, Nursery Drive, Ardfallen, between the Douglas and Ballinlough roads.
With west-facing back gardens, and a proximity to the Douglas swimming pool, playground and park, as well as national schools, it will suit a family looking to trade in to a mature suburb, says agent Dennis Guerin of Frank V Murphy & Co.
He seeks offers around €375,000 given its extra size and condition (he hit the €380,000 mark recently for comparable three-bed semis in the area and near Beaumont) and says it is in excellent order, has been underpinned, and has good decking in the westerly-aspected back garden.
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