Fix it up: Buy a two-bed home close to the city centre and Clontarf for €250k and revamp for another €100k

What is it?

A terraced two-bed close to the centre of the capital dating from the 1920s, this house has been vacant for some time.

Tell me more about the place...

In need of a total refurbishment throughout, viewers will need to polish their most rose-tinted lifestyle goggles for a viewing of this North Strand property.

The existing accommodation includes a hallway, a living/dining room and kitchen on the ground floor. The first floor has two double bedrooms and a bathroom. It has gas-fired central heating.

The bad news?

Crying out for a bit of TLC for quite some time, this townhouse looks like it has not been decorated since The Stones were regularly topping the charts.

The house is only habitable in the very widest sense of the word and will need a total revamp.

There may be damp, but the house has not yet been given the once-over by a surveyor and as such, no evidence of any structural issues has been found.

As it is in a terrace, access for building work will be through the front of the house.

Number 2 is located across the road from the Dublin-Belfast and Dart rail line, so if you are not fond of the sound of trains, this might not be one for you. It currently has an E1 BER.

And the good news?

Stoney Road is a quiet enclave at the edge of a neighbourhood, which has recently been transformed by public realm improvements brought about by the completion of the Clontarf to city centre cycle route.

It is a 10 minute walk from Connolly Station and a few minutes' drive from the Port Tunnel.

The property is close to a range of coffee shops, supermarkets, convenience shops, pubs and restaurants, and is literally across the road from Fairview Park.

The house has a decent back garden, leaving room to extend. It has been empty for three years and therefore will be eligible for the vacant property refurbishment grant of up to €50,000.

There may also be grant aid available towards improving the energy efficiency of the building. A three-bed detached home in liveable condition on the same road is currently for sale for €440,000.

How much to buy it?

Offers of around €250,000 are being sought.

And to fix it up?

An estimated minimum refurbishment budget for this property would be in the region of €100,000.

What will I end up with?

A two-bedroom townhouse within walking distance of the city centre and the IFSC and a five-minute cycle from the Clontarf promenade.

Who do I talk to?

If you fancy the rocky ride to urban living on Stoney Road, throw a pebble in the direction of Property Partners Kavanagh, who is handling the sale: (01) 8533333, propertypartners.ie.