First-timers can go with the flow at relaunched Clarendon Brook niche

These smart contemporary homes in an attractive location are on offer for less than 40% of their original price, writes Tommy Barker

Things were ominously starting to unravel in the Irish property market in July 2007 when Clarendon Brook was launched — and in these pages we noted “given the current property market travails and inertia, there’s probably no perfect time to launch a new development... you might as well do it in the summertime lull as any other period”.

Well, roll on 20 seasons of lull (which at just may now be lifting given a comparatively good summer 2012 of sales) and still-attractive Clarendon Brook is relaunched after a spruce-up — and the good news for buyers is price, price, price.

Back then, the nine large-ish three-bed houses were aimed at singles, couples and traders-down, and came to market priced in the mid-€500,000s. Today, Trish Stokes of Lisney is selling at €205,000 — that’s slap-bang in the price range of first-time buyers, yet tempting for traders-down.

They have a great location, on Carr’s Hill on the edge of Douglas village, and are in a run of six, plus three, all with three decent double bedrooms — managed because there’s a full 1,200 sq ft in each.

They’re well-built by Murphy Construction, to an amended design from Magee Creedon architects, and have quite an open floor plan at ground level, with a 18’ by 14’ living room to the rear, linked to a front 17’ by 10’ kitchen/diner. For those who want more cellular accommodation, they’re easily separated off.

VERDICT: Easy-to-keep, contemporary, great location, but small back gardens.