Trading up: Glounthaune, Cork €220,000

The existing cottage is the least part of the package offered here at Annmount, Glounthaune, a few miles east of Cork city, and a few minutes walk to the community’s regular commuter rail station on the Midleton line.

It’s all about the site, in this instance, a half acre, slightly elevated above the village, with lots of sun thanks to its tilt towards the south.

In addition, it’s got lots of road frontage, in a pivotal position by the Annmount hill junction in Glounthaune, It’s a new listing with agent Michael O’Donovan of Savills, and he guides at €220,000, noting the existing cottage-style bungalow needs full restoration: currently, it has a porch entrance leading into a living room, a small kitchen/diner and three compact bedrooms.

Most likely it may be removed altogether to pave the way for a grander one-off, or be built around and incorporated, whilst others may seek to get more than one new house on the half acre, subject to planning strictures.

The immediate row of neighours consists of much-enlarged semis, big detacheds, and terraces back in ‘old’ Glounthaune. Mr O’Donovan says the sale “is a rare opportunity to acquire a very well-located property on which you can put your own stamp”. Or stamps?

The same Savills agent also has a Sunday’s Well city site new this month, but it’s being included in the sale of a period home facing St Vincent’s Church. There’s a €650,000 guide for the well-kept Victorian home, and its adjacent site, both with full southerly aspect.

VERDICT: Chance to build.