Two could be just right for you

You can tell the market has moved on again, with cash sloshing about, when the selling agents of Nos 13 and 14 Vicars Street (off Cork’s Barrack Street, near UCC) have to point out the asking price €150,000 is per property - and not for the two. 

The last of the urban bargains, it seems, are nearly gone.

Small and all as they are at under 440 sq ft each, Nos 13 and 14 Vicars Street near Gilabbey Street and St Fin Barre’s Cathedral are effectively as good as new. “They were bought to be done up, but when the work started there was so much to be done they’re now effectively new-builds,” says selling agent Johnny O’Flynn of Sherry FitzGerald. They are compact, with two upper level bedrooms plus upstairs bathroom, while downstairs is a rear kitchen/diner across the back of the house, but even still it’s only 13’ wide, and 9’ deep. Meanwhile the front room, described as a living room, is smaller again, at 8’ 11” by 6’ 11” - this is a place where every inch counts. There are some expansive L-shaped couches that won’t even fit into a room of this size....

For investors, this front room might count as a third bedroom for income purposes, but owner-occupiers may take down a stud wall and open the ground floor out completely.

Double doors link the kitchen to the west-facing back yard, and the houses are bright, and comfortable, says Mr O’Flynn, noting they can be bought separately, or together. They are currently rented out, so there’s an immediate income stream.

VERDICT: Investors being asked to pay €300,000 for the two totalling less than 900 sq ft might look back at what that sort of sum would have bought them over the last few years.

Cork city, €150,000

Sq m 41 (438 sq ft)

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 1

BER D1

Best Feature: Good as new