Trading up: Carrigrohane, Cork €260,000

Sq m: 104 (1,120 sq ft)

A good start is half the job, the saying goes — and that’s exactly what Highfield will be in its next ownership: it’s a great springboard to what could be a fine family home in a great, edge of city location.

This three-bed bungalow is up on a steep, and densely shrubbed site of three-quarters of an acre a mile or so up Temple hill, above Cork’s Carrigrohane and the Anglers’ Rest.

But, good and all as the site and grounds and location are, the house itself isn’t a match any more for that good mix. The house is dated, and not overly-large for a rural home at just shy of 1,200 sq ft, so it’s a doe-er upper par-excellence, and an extender, possibly even a knockdown: it’s a good start to what will be a finer home.

Selling agent Norma Healy of Sherry FitzGerald is guiding is at €260,000. For those with their sights set more on cleared sites, she also has a 0.1 acre site with planning for a 2,000 sq ft new two-storey build across the river on the Model Farm Road, also with a Carrigrohane address.

That site is guided at €180,000.

VERDICT: Sites and do-er uppers allow you to make your own stamp on what will be your future home.