Trading up: Ballinlough, Cork €195,000

Looking for a project? Look no further than this detached home in Ballinlough Road, Cork City.

This week’s edition of Property and Interiors has a strong renovations/extensions emphasis in its middle section: so, if you are feeling inspired, then this shaded sunflower (it’s called Bláth na Gréine, or flower of the sun) might bloom again in caring hands.

First, though, a thorough pruning, wheelbarrows and a skip are called for at this slender detached home, on Cork city’s Ballinlough Road near the church.

Bláth na Gréine is a fresh spring market arrival with agent Timothy Sullivan, who says it has (or, had) elegance, but now needs substantial upgrading.

Plus points are (1) location, (2) the back faces south, with a long garden out here, with off-street parking via a side passage with shared ownership, which leads to another house built back here, off the street, and (3), older home character to work to, or to work back in, perhaps with modern, glassy rear add-on overlooking the garden.

Guide price for the 1,100 sq ft house is €195,000, and it needs just about every aspect assessed and addressed, so prepare to add €50,000-€100,000 more in getting it back up to speed.

VERDICT: Bring an architect, engineer or builder for a dose of reality, and some bright ideas on how to maximise its undoubted scope.