House of the week: Ardbrack, Kinsale €750,000

The site is everything at this 1970’s Kinsale property which has the best views the area has to offer.

Ardbrack, Kinsale €750,000

Sq m: 186 (2,068 sq ft)

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 3

BER: E2

Best feature: The best sea views in Kinsale.

The south facing property looks out over the outer and inner harbour, taking in Charles Fort, the new bridge, and the town itself.

While the property does require some modernisation, it is in the much coveted Ardbrack area on the outskirts of the town.

In the last year, three properties here sold for in excess of €1 million: The Brambles, Ardbrack (€1.35m in July 2014); Clonard, Ardbrack (€1.1m in 2014) and The Palisades, Ardbrack (€1.925m in September 2014).

The previous year saw two strong sales here with Árd Na Mara, Ardbrack going for €1.1m in August 2013 and the exceptional Fastnet House, Ardbrack bought for €3m in November of that year.

Now, this property isn’t expected to do the same — but it is likely to achieve a strong price because of the prestige of the area and the lack of available property here.

Trish Stokes of Lisney is quoting an asking price of €750,000, and she is expecting plenty of interest from local and overseas property hunters.

“There is pent-up local demand because any properties that come up for sale here in Ardbrack are one-offs.

"There are no housing schemes in this part of Kinsale,” explains Ms Stokes, adding that at the moment foreign buyers have the advantage of the current favourable exchange rate of the dollar and sterling.

“Their biggest challenge isn’t the price, it’s finding something,” she contends.

As it stands, the detached property extends to just over 2,000 sq ft on a large site laid out in extensive gardens.

Although it has always been used as a holiday home, the house and grounds have been maintained to a high standard over the years.

In spite of its history, Trish Stokes believes it will go to an owner occupier this time due to its size and the level of demand.

“This has always been a holiday residence but it is so big it will most likely be used as a full time residence.

"The gardens require quite a bit of maintenance. They need a full-time owner,” she explains.

The house itself also needs some work, but Ms Stokes doesn’t see any major construction works on the cards.

“I think a new owner will work with the existing footprint. It’s just over 2,000 sq ft and will just need to be modernised,” she adds.

The current layout has a large, south facing living / dining room with large windows and double doors to the sun room. It has a fireplace so even in winter the fine view can be enjoyed in comfort.

Also facing south is the master bedroom, the sun room with velux windows, and the home office, with access from inside the house or separately from outside.

There is a fully fitted kitchen, utility, three bedrooms in total, all with built in wardrobes, two guest toilets, a bathroom, shower room and sauna.

The sauna, according to the selling agents, could easily be converted to an en suite bathroom for the master bedroom, while the availability of infrared saunas that can be plugged in anywhere means the home owner could have the best of both worlds.

Outside, the gardens are to the front of the house. They are laid out in lawn with mature planting bordering the driveway.

The rear of the property comprises a large enclosed patio with a garden shed, boiler room and storage shed for the oil tank for the central heating.

Ardbrack is within walking distance of Kinsale, a half hour drive from Cork city.

VERDICT: If you love Kinsale, you will love the location of this property which holds best views.