Extended and upgraded 40-year-old Douglas home feels like a spring chicken
IT might be just over 40 years of age, but No 65 Maryborough Court outside Cork’s Douglas looks and feels, like a spring chicken. Like, better then new, in fact, re-hatched.Dating to 1983, the detached family home on a corner site by Markland Woods was extended some years ago, to the side and over two levels, so now it’s a five-bed family home just a bit shy of 1,600 sq ft.So far, so good.Bright interiorsThen, it go better. As recently as last summer, it got energy and insulation upgrades, with 13 solar PV panels up on two roof pitches, doing a mix of electricity generating as well as water heating, and then just at the end of 2024, in time for Christmas, it got a brand new kitchen and utility room fitted: little wonder that it feels so fresh.It was done by a couple with young family, who hadn’t expected to be moving but a career offer now sees them preparing to leave the country, says estate agent Sean McCarthy of ERA Downey McCarthy who sold No 65 to them back in 2014: the Price Register shows it making €335,000 back 12 years ago, when it was half the house it is now.rear viewIt has been refinished externally, looking good and fresh, and has new windows in dark frames and doors, double glazed and energy efficient and as a result of upgrades and renewable/solar it gets a B2 BER, excellent for a 1980s house, and it also has a Sync brand EV charger for an electric car. It can be charged from the solar panels, and the system (with 5kwh battery storage) is app controlled and when there’s plenty of free energy from the sun to be harvested No 65 can sell surplus back to the national grid.Solar panels on two roof sectionsAs the detached property is on a corner site, there was plenty of room to bring in a large steel shed, almost garage size with roller door, only in this case it seem pretty well used for storage, kiddie gear, sports gear, garden stuff and racing bikes ….some athletic or even triathlon prowess is signaled as there’s also a haul of running medals inside this family home.There’s lighting inside and outside this garden building, so there’s an evening glow backed up with other garden lighting, and still lots of space for play and planting, as well as off-street parking for a car.Inside all’s spotless, neutrally presented yet clearly an active family home, with a twin aspect family room left of the tiled hall where there’s a corner unit with large screen, sound bar and electric flame-effect fireCosy and warm.Across the hall is a bright, front to back living/dining room with fireplace and stove, with wide straight arch open to the brand new kitchen. Beyond is a refitted utility and a guest loo.Up a carpeted stairs and landing are five bedrooms, one with en suite and a main family bathroom with electric shower over the bath at its widest point.Smart exteriorERA selling agent Sean McCarthy guides what mush be one of the best private homes in the wider Maryborough Court location at €650,000, expecting trade up interest from all over Douglas, given it’s a five-bed, B2 BER-assessed, in walk-in order within a walk of the village via Maryborough Hill.VERDICT: The vendors might be energetic, but a buyer can be laid back, as the heavy lifting has all been done.
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