Property County Clare ... ridiculous pipe dream really ....

[Cabriolelegs99]

www.formerglory.ie/period-property-for-sale-in-ireland/glendree-cottage-tulla-feakle-clare/

Ok I've lived abroad for 22 years and for ages and ages I have had my eye on this property and just wondered why it hasn't sold yet? I am right out of touch with the local property market. Is it over-priced? Or too remote? Can anyone give me an idea what you like expect to pay for a three bed period property like this in vaguely this area? I like to maintain the delusion that I will make it back home one day so any information will make an old grey mare very happy . Thanks very much.

I'm familiar with the area, it's not that remote. Close enough to two towns with a good lot of amenities. No public transport though so you'd have to drive everywhere. The house looks ok inside but very old fashioned. Would need a serious revamp, unless that's your style. I can't find it on any property websites so can't find any info about the energy efficiency, double glazing, etc. I'd say the price is average for that area for what it is.

Thanks GreenFlamingo11 I appreciate that info! You've confirmed what I thought about needing a car. Thanks for searching on property websites. Maybe it isn't for sale any more?

Though not from that part of Clare, I am somewhat familiar. I would say it is overpriced in what is considered a remote location. And while the house is charming, it could have all sorts of issues as an older property around wiring, heat etc. and the rooms look a little small and dark for modern tastes. Not mine I hasten to add. Although rural properties in general have certainly increased in price post pandemic - lots of previously city based people moving to the country, some places are just that bit too rural, there is definitely a ceiling and there is still good value to be had. If you haven't already come across it, there's a programme on RTE called Cheap Irish Homes - and an Instagram account from whence it came - which is great and shines a great light on these gems.

theleafandnotthetree thanks so much for that info. Really helpful. And for the heads up about the RTE prog/Insta a/c. I really appreciate it!

Like you I love an old traditional cottage but I know they are not to everyone's taste.

It's beautiful but you'd be totally reliant on your car to get around.

It’s so lovely - you could do so much with it.

@Sugartitsorahilly

It's beautiful but you'd be totally reliant on your car to get around.

In fairness you could say that about the great majority of houses in Ireland, up to and including houses in large towns and cities! We simply have too small a population over too dispersed an area to have a really effective public transport system. What's in question here is the distance you'd have to travel to do things, what it would be like in bad weather, if you couldn't drive anymore, etc. I think anyone who retires to the deep country needs their head examined!

Yes I am not quite at retirement age but convenience and practicality is one consideration among many.

I don't live in Clare but I had a quick look through the photos and some of the rooms look quite dark. The windows seem to be very small. I'm not a fan of Dermot Bannon style floor to ceiling windows but you'd probably have to embark on some kind of a renovation project just to have adequate light in the rooms. As it's an old property, there may be issues with damp or wiring. So you may need to factor in significant renovation costs. And we've all seen enough episodes of 'Room to Improve' to know how that works out in terms of needing an unlimited budget! There's no floor plan but the downstairs area seems very small and cramped. The cooker is squashed into the corner of the kitchen. There are multiple photos of the same room (sitting room/living room?) and the stairs open into this room which reduces space further. The exterior is lovely though.

Ennis is a decent sized town and is supposed to be 20 minutes away - you'd need to check this, I guess. East Clare isn't as popular as West Clare but it has its own charms. Mountshannon is a lovely spot and it's approximately 20 minutes away.

There are too many unknowns really. No floor plan so we don't have an accurate picture of the size and layout of the property. Also, we don't know the orientation of the house and which side the sun hits it etc. You'd have to get a surveyor's report which might throw up additional issues. The front garden looks lovely but what's at the rear of the house? How far does the property extend behind the house?

www.glendreecottage.com/

Looks like its a holiday rental?

Have a look at it on Google Maps. There's what looks like a working farm next door. The street view is interesting, it's on a hill with a view across to other hills in the distance. There's a woman wearing an apron standing in the driveway of the farm with her arms folded watching the Google van. I hope you get on with the neighbours!

Google Maps calls it Glendree Country Cottage and there are more photos of the interior. It seems to have been used as a holiday rental. There's nothing out the back other than overgrown land.

I think I need to hire you all as property detectives - thank you - seriously impressive research here!

Taytocrisps that's a very professional assessment, thank you; is this your area of expertise? Parts of my current property date back to the 1700s so that aspect doesn't put me off but I agree that it seems quite dark and that the layout of the ground floor could be problematic. I appreciate the info about the local area. I still feel quite drawn to it though!

Aye it's all a moot point now anyway if it's a holiday rental. Thanks for finding that out SolasAnia. I guess I can check it out in person for a week or more!

TheLongRider thank you, I haven't looked at Google maps yet; will do that later today. I live in a small hamlet ATM and I am lucky enough to have great neighbours. It's difficult when you live in close proximity to people that you don't get on with though and that is exacerbated in the countryside somehow. Worth checking out for sure!

Oh, I'm no property expert at all. I've just watched a lot of episodes of an Irish TV programme called 'Room to Improve' . I don't know if you've ever seen it but it's basically about people who are looking to renovate and/or extend an existing property. Dermot Bannon is an architect who advises the participants. He's become infamousfamous for favouring huge glass windows that extend from floor to ceiling. The participants always blow their budgets but somehow magically come up with the extra money. It's quite an entertaining show and with Ireland being so small, there's a good chance that you'll know some of the participants. Or know someone who knows them. I have learnt that old properties usually throw up a few unpleasant surprises along the way.

As for public transport, that's pretty much non-existent in huge swathes of rural Ireland. Even if you live in a town with a supermarket, post office, pubs etc., you might have difficulty getting to your local hospital without a car.

I can see why you like it.
It can be brightened up inside.
I love the enthusiasm of Maggie the presenter on Cheap Irish Houses. The programme is well worth a watch OP.
Let us know how you got on when viewing it in person.

If you are looking to buy a house in Ireland, then have you looked on Daft.ie? Almost all houses for sale will end up on this website. Just about every auctioneer in the country will use this site to advertise

propertypriceregister.ie will show price actually paid for a specific property after the sale is fully completed. Difficult to navigate but you could check for recent sales in the area.

Also, myhome.ie

Sorry for the delay in getting back to replies. I was away at the weekend.

Thanks so much for the property websites recommended here. I will give them a go!

And thank you for the TV programme recommendations too. They sound great! Can't access them automatically from where I live in Europe but maybe my teen will do me a favour and let me use her VPN and I'll look out for Dermot Bannon

Taytocrisps I must admit the healthcare thing is something to consider carefully as where we live in the EU ATM, we have great health care and easy access to it even though we live rurally.

Sagerosemary thanks for the tip about propertypriceregister.ie too - that's a really useful tool!

Thanks again everyone; I appreciate the advice!