Starter home: Blarney Street, Cork, €205,000

Trish Dromey says this town cottage, with its south-facing sun deck to the rear, really shows what you can do with a small city property. 

Size: 65 sq m (700 sq ft)

Bedrooms: 1

Bathrooms: 2

BER: B3

A VIEW with a house on Cork’s Blarney Street has been causing quite a stir among city house hunters in recent weeks.

“We’ve had 70 to 75 viewing and bidding which started at €150,000 has now gone up to €205,000,” says Brian Twomey of Cork Lettings who put the one-bed terraced property and its view on the market in early April with a guide of €160,000.

Blarney Cottage aka 149 Blarney Street has been comprehensively renovated in recent years but according to Mr Twomey it’s the sundeck at the back that is getting most of the attention.

“It has 180-degree views across the city — at one side you can see as far as UCC and St Finbarr’s Cathedral and on the other side over to Páirc Uí Chaoimh.’’

The owners renovated the property in 2013, but have, for the last year been letting it on a short-term basis, offering scenic views within a 15-minute walk from the city centre for €100 a night on Airbnb.

For buyers bidding on it now, additional attractions to views and location, include a 135ft long back garden and 700 sq ft of furnished living space complete with appliances, furniture and sun loungers.

Accommodation includes a timber floored sitting room which has a red brick fireplace with an oak mantle.

To the rear there’s a guest WC as well as a galley kitchen, while upstairs there’s a bedroom with a shower room.

The star attraction is the south facing sun deck at the rear which has a glass balustrade and city views.

Verdict: Shows what can be done with a small property