Starter home: Blackrock, Cork, €165,000

A two-month makeover has transformed No 3 into an affordable, comfortable home close to Blackrock village, says Trish Dromey.

In the space of just eight weeks, a team of builders has carried out an Operation Transformation on this two-bed terraced house at 3 Convent Avenue, Blackrock.

Last November, it was bought by a builder at a DNG auction in a derelict and uninhabitable state for €72,500. The original guide price had been €50,000, but the auction activity drew bids from several builders who were attracted by the location close to Blackrock village. The winning bidder immediately sent in a team of workmen to gut the property. Now re-plastered, repainted, and reorganised, the house is almost unrecognisable from before.

Demonstrating what can be done with some concentrated effort, the old G BER rating is now a C1. During renovations, the builders knocked interior walls, and made it open plan. The original red bricks from the walls were used to create a fireplace and a kitchen counter. The 500 sq ft property was also fitted with gas heating and double-glazed windows.

In the reorganised layout, the ground floor now has a sitting room with fireplace, open plan with a kitchen fitted with white gloss units. To the rear there’s a tiled bathroom and upstairs there are two small bedrooms.

DNG Creedon, previously the sellers at auction, are now seeking offers of €165,000. Auctioneer Glenn O’Connor says it is one of the most affordable properties available in the popular Blackrock area and will appeal to investors and first time buyers.

VERDICT: Cosy Blackrock transformation.

Blackrock, Cork

€165,000

Sq m 46 (500 sq ft)

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 1

BER: C1

Best Feature: back better