Starter homes: Bishopstown, Cork €300,000

Size: 120 sq m (1,300 sq ft)

It’s only seven years since the detached bungalow Winsley was considerably upgraded, but after a sale, and a few years more recently of being unoccupied, it now once more needs attention.

On three acres, it was bought perhaps a decade ago by a Bishopstown businessman, who took the majority of the grounds and built a very large new home directly above it. Before tackling the build, he did up Winsley to live in, and after making the move to the new home he put Winsley up for sale in 2007, then guiding €795,000.

That was about the time the market started its precipitous dip, and it didn’t sell at that stage, but went later on to new ownership in a private deal, for an undisclosed sum.

Now, it’s back up for sale with agent Barry Smith, who has rejoined the auctioneering company of James G Coughlan. And, while Mr Smith guides Winsley at €300,000, he hopes it will sell for more, given how much was spent on its renovations and improvements in the mid-2000s.

It’s set on about three-quarters of an acre above the Bandon Road, west of the Viaduct and Bishopstown, but before the Top of the Liberties and above the dual carriageway stretch of road.

Back when the Irish Examiner last visited in ’07, we reported it had a penthouse feel to its quality finishes, with solid oak flooring, good kitchen and built-ins, plus above standard bathrooms.

But, despite a lot of investment in plumbing and insulation, as well as internal replastering, it doesn’t pay to allow a house lie empty for too long, and some tough winters have taken a toll on paint finishes etc.

So, there’s decorative work to be done, at a minimum, and an engineer might raise a few other queries. But given what was spent already, any remedial work now should not be too onerous.

Mr Smith calculates the site area at about three-quarter of an acre, there’s pleasant valley-like views over the roads below, and the €300k price reflects the fact it needs TLC but “there’s exceptional value for money here, and scope for further improvements,” he adds.

Features include a large open-plan 40’ by 15’ kitchen/living, with dining space in the middle, there’s granite tops on units and good appliances, plus island, a utility, master en suite and three other bedrooms, plus main bathroom with power showers.

With a detached garage, and sheltered paved courtyard, the outdoors will respond as readily as the indoors to a fresh broom, sweeping clean.

VERDICT: Edge of the city, five minutes from the ring road.