BERNICE HARRISON

Buyers who go for a period fixer-upper need vision to imagine what the house could be like – and deep pockets. The vision thing is sorted on Longford Terrace in Monkstown where there is a before – number 12 in need of serious renovation – and an after, number 17 (above), a recently renovated and restored family house.

Number 12 has been vacant for a year and before that it was divided into several flats for decades – with the owner living in one of them. Maybe it was her presence, or the fact she was dividing her own home, but many period features including original fireplaces, floorboards and doors are still in situ – the decorative plasterwork needs replacing in places where it has been damaged but at least it’s there as a guide to its style.

The house is, visibly, in a sorry state and here’s where the deep pockets – and patience required to work on a protected structure – comes in. It needs everything. If buyers want to put their kitchen in the basement, they will need to reinstate the staircase or they could keep it as a rental. After all in a three-storey over basement house, with 418 sq m (4,500 sq ft) there is a lot of room to play with. The back garden is about 30m long.

Longford Terrace is in fact two terraces and there is plenty of local discussion as to which is the “best”.  Those who argue for the terrace that number 12 is in make a good case. The sea views here are much better, the only thing in any way obscuring the view is the bridge over the Dart line, and they have a good front garden. Parking however is on-street and that is where the other terrace wins with its strip of parking set back from the road.

Beirne & Wise is the selling agent for 12 Longford Terrace seeking €1.85 million. The agent has sold five houses in the terrace in as many years, some needing refurbishment, and say no amount of work puts buyers off these seriously handsome looking houses.