A period property in need of a dig-out: Cork harbour €200,000

Size: Sq m 168 (1,800 sq ft)

There are doer-uppers and doeruppers, but in the case of No 5 Marine Villas at Monkstown, Co Cork, the unwary are warned ever before viewing of what lies within — to wit, a gaping hole where a floor used to be.

Yes, this period Monkstown property, overlooking Cork harbour, is openly in need of repair, so much so that a dodgy floor was removed to make, er, viewing, a bit safer for all concerned.

But stand back, hold firm and look up, down and around and you’ll see a pretty house, end of terrace, with what looks like a rambling range of extensions and good gardens.

Wipe the rubbish stuff away, put a new floor in/over the basement, tidy up the once lovely garden and improve the windows and you’re on the way to a very good house, according to Malcolm Tyrrell of Cohalan Downing, who’s about to sell this house at auction.

“Anything in this terrace has always sold well and most other houses here have had work done.

“Marine Villas is one of the best addresses in terms that you’re looking straight out to the bay with rear entrance and parking.”

For this reason, the reserve prior to auction on February 20 isn’t low either — the house has a €200,000 reserve — but that depends on bidding on the day, and auctions aren’t usual for property in Cork. Critically, the cheque will have to be written on the day and buyers will take the property as is — so it’s likely that cash buyers will have the whip hand in this kind of transaction.

Banks are rather unwilling to fund unfathomable doer-uppers without a professional game plan.

No 5 Marine Villas is a decent size, has the right kind of address and room sizes and has a small shadow of its former glory remaining — which will draw in buyers.

The most deterring room, the former basement, comprises two rooms, one of which has had its ceiling removed — and it had formed the floor of the living room overhead, (with views of Monkstown Bay — but take that as read).

Also on the ground floor is a kitchen, bathroom, living room, and entrance porch.

The first floor has a large, unadorned main bedroom with bathroom on the half landing and a smaller, second bedroom; the attic level has two more good-sized rooms.

VERDICT: There’s huge scope to do something really nice here, but also huge scope to spend a bit of money. However, with builders keen to work and prices low, it’s a good time to ransack and remake.