Scotland’s cheapest property – which was set to be auctioned for £1 – has been radically transformed.
Now on the market for offers over £329,995, the Kilmarnock town centre home is unrecognisable from the property that was destined to go under the hammer three years ago.
The semi-detached Portland Road home was in need of some serious renovation and with pictures from the time showing the ramshackle nature of the home, complete with collapsed ceilings, ripped up floors and rubbish strewn across each of the rooms.
From the new pictures, you can see the five-bedroom home has been re-carpeted and decorated with a new kitchen and new bathrooms installed throughout.
Greig Residential, who are marketing the three-storey property, say it has been “lovingly restored and upgraded to the highest standard and is complemented by rarely retained traditional features.”
Their description also reads: “The attention to detail in this property is evident from the outset and is in move in condition, making it the ideal family home.”
East Ayrshire Council said this week that the buyer ended up purchasing the neighbouring property as well, with work set to get underway next door shortly.
The local authority’s empty homes officer Liz King helped to facilitate the connection between different parties.
Officials said this was ideal since there was shared communal work needed to both properties.
Ms King also worked with colleagues in environmental health to allow work to progress, and one property is now being advertised for sale while renovation work begins on the property next door.
The owner of the Portland Road properties said: “When we bought the properties, it was really good to meet the empty homes officer Liz King who was there for advice and assistance and was able to act as a liaison with other departments.
“At the start of the process it was quite daunting, as we had no idea of how the system worked, but Liz was able to facilitate any meeting or help us find any information we needed. It was reassuring to have the support throughout the process and as we move forward to the renovation of the property next door.”
Councillor Elena Whitham added: “We believe that empty homes are a wasted resource and we are committed to helping owners overcome obstacles which prevent their property from being brought back into use.
“The transformation of the first property at Portland Road has to be seen to be believed and it will be fantastic to hopefully see it occupied soon.
“I also look forward to seeing the ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos of the second property once it is completed which I’m sure will be equally impressive.”
