Spoiled for choice

Two bungalows may have the same price, but the attractions are different. Tommy Barker takes a closer look

THERE’S more in common than divides two bungalows just east of Cork City, each priced at €345,000 and new to market with the same selling agents.

And, while the prices are the same, and the targeted buying niche similar, each individual property will hold a slightly different attraction, depending on buyers’ tastes and family needs.

Slightly larger of the two, but smaller looking from its front elevation (the rear shot here, first in gallery, shows the garden and size best) is 4, The Pines, Castlejane Woods, in a development of mostly detached and one-off homes on a hill high above Glanmire.

It weighs in at 2,100 sq ft thanks to its dormer design, and is the more recently built of the duo. Touches and features include a double height entry hall, rear sun room with warm brick wall, and great gardens, especially behind, with raised lawn, lots of landscaping and interesting planting, and a sunny Indian sandstone terrace for outdoor dining. Rooms include three reception rooms, a modern kitchen, and four bedrooms with one en suite. It’s very well presented, has power showers, a C1 BER, and the setting going to appeal to families with children, wanting a safe area to play. Agent Jeremy Murphy seeks offers around €345,000

LOCATION: Glanmire, Cork

PRICE: €345,000

SIZE: Sq m 195 (2,100 sq ft)

BEDROOMS: 4

BATHROOMS: 3

BER RATING:C1

Meanwhile, a couple of miles further east at wooded Kilcoolishal, Glounthaune, Mr Murphy has an identically-priced detached single storey 1,850 sq ft upgraded bungalow, on very private grounds, called Lisnashanna.

Likely to have been extended from its original shape, and now with a design ‘kink’ in it separating the very open living spaces (the kitchen/dining’s 27’ by 13’, linked by a split level to a lounge with main living room 17’ by 16’) and it has four reasonably sized bedrooms. It has good bathrooms, a new kitchen with oak tops and the en suite master bedroom has a walk-through wardrobe.

Best asset at Lisnashanna is the site, very private and sloping southwards, with a tiered beds and lawns, patio and terrace, plus a very substantial cedar-clad large shed or home office.

LOCATION: Glounthane

PRICE: €345,000

SIZE: Sq m 172 (1,850 sq ft)

BEDROOMS: 4

BATHROOMS: 2

BER RATING: C3

VERDICT: Two good trading up options. For the right buyers, one’s nicer than the other — but itdepends on exactly what the buyers want.