Trading up: Ballinlough/Douglas: €265,000

Following ‘sale agreeds’ on two 1960s houses, one a detached, the other a semi-d, in the ‘old’ 1960s Bellair Estate off Douglas Road and by the start of Ballinlough Road in Cork, now comes a younger model, and a different house type too.

Listed with agent Malcolm Tyrrell of Cohalan Downing is 17, Bellair Close, a three-bed duplex built around the late 1990s. Bellair Close, with its mix of duplexes over ground floor two-bed apartments was developed by John McCarthy — whose father Denis McCarthy was a prolific builder half a century ago, built the original Bellair Estate as well as many others, including in Bishopstown.

Cohalan Downing guide the 930 sq ft No 17 Bellair Close at €265,000, and it’s being sold fully furnished, which will give it an extra appeal to investors as it’s a gated scheme with two car parking spaces, in a highly rentable location, within a walk of the city centre and all services.

The last month has seen ‘sale agreed’ signs go up on a four-bed Bellair detached on a great, private site but needing full renovations, for c €480,000 via agents Marshs. The interest that detached home garnered also saw a buyer emerge via Marshs for another dated four-bed Bellair semi-d close by the Joup Cafe and Our Lady of Lourdes girls NS, which went sale agreed at €410,000.

By contrast, No 17 in Bellair Close is a walk-in job, with balcony, and its private buyer appeal may be for traders down, or first time buyers, say Cohalan Downing.

VERDICT: Easy living