Selling Your Property in West Cork: One Lot or Two?

If you own a property in West Cork that could be sold in one or two lots — whether it’s a large family home with land, a farm, or a main house with a lodge — you may be asking: Should I sell it all together, or divide it and sell separately?

This is a common question we hear at DNG West Cork. On paper, the choice seems simple, but in reality, it involves planning, access, services, buyer demand, and your lifestyle priorities.

Understanding Your West Cork Property Options

Before you make a decision, it’s worth understanding the different ways your property could be marketed. Selling as one lot is straightforward, but selling separately might increase returns. Alternatively, a flexible “one or two lots” approach could give you the best of both worlds.

Step One: Gather the Facts Before Selling

Preparation is key to making the right choice. Consider:

Local Market Demand in West Cork

Speak to two or three trusted estate agents to understand what’s selling: large family homes, smaller cottages, farms, or lodges.

Planning and Access Considerations

Check whether it’s feasible to create a separate entrance for the secondary dwelling if you plan to sell it independently.

Services and Utilities

For independent sale, the cottage, lodge, or annex must have its own water, electricity, and septic arrangements.

Grants for Refurbishment

If the property has been vacant for over two years, buyers may qualify for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant up to €50,000 — a strong selling point.

Option One: Sell as One Lot

Selling the entire property — main house, land, lodge, or farm — as a single lot is the simplest approach.

Benefits:

• Appeals to families looking for space, privacy, and flexibility.
• Secondary buildings can be marketed as bonus accommodation (guest house, home office, or rental potential).
• One sale, one buyer, less stress.

Considerations:

• Older or unrenovated structures may be factored into buyers’ offers.

For sellers seeking simplicity and a faster sale, this is often the preferred option.

Option Two: Sell Separately

Dividing the property can attract multiple buyers and potentially increase total value.

Requirements:

• Separate access (likely requiring planning permission)
• Independent services for water, electricity, and septic systems
• Refurbishment to bring the secondary dwelling to market standard

Pros:

• Targets different buyer groups: families for the main home, investors or hobby farmers for land or lodges.
• Potential for higher combined sale price.

Cons:

• Time-consuming and costly
• Requires planning applications and project management

A project manager can handle the process, but it comes with additional fees.

Option Three: Market as One or Two Lots

A flexible approach is to advertise the property as “available as one lot or two separate lots.”

Benefits:

• Lets the market decide which buyers are interested in the full property versus a portion.
• Families may choose everything together; investors may target a lodge, farm, or smaller lot.
• Avoids committing to lengthy planning or refurbishment upfront.

Considerations:

• Negotiations can be slightly more complex
• Clarity on services and access is essential

This strategy works particularly well in West Cork, where demand can vary between larger homes, farms, and smaller lodges.

What Buyers in West Cork Are Looking For

Families: Value space, privacy, and flexibility. Combined sales appeal to this group.

Investors or hobby farmers: Prefer independent lots that can be rented or farmed.

Local market conditions: Estate agents in West Cork will know whether one lot or two is more realistic for your property.

Our Advice for Selling in West Cork

For many property owners, particularly those planning retirement, Option Three — marketing as one or two lots — is the most practical solution.

• If one buyer wants the entire property, sell as one lot.
• If two buyers emerge, you can weigh the additional steps required to divide and sell separately.
• This balances value with simplicity, giving you peace of mind.

Maximise Value While Minimising Stress

Selling a property in West Cork — whether it’s a farm, main house with lodge, or large family home with land — is about more than just financial return.

It’s about finding a strategy that balances maximum value, buyer appeal, and minimal stress, allowing you to move forward confidently.

At DNG West Cork, we provide expert guidance, award-winning marketing, and local market insight to help you achieve the best outcome.

📞 Thinking of selling in West Cork? Contact our team today for a no-obligation valuation and personalised advice.

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