A KERRY solicitor decided it was time for some decisive action when he wanted to get rid of his holiday home in Kenmare. So he decided to swap the three-bed house in Kenmare town he bought as an investment for an apartment in Dublin that his children attending college can use.

He reckons his chances of selling the Kenmare property on the open market are “slim”: the 10-year tax breaks have run out on the house, in a small development of 14 units called Gortnamullen, built as holiday homes close to the Kenmare Bay Hotel. It’s in walking distance of Kenmare town and has a livingroom, kitchen/diningroom, utility room and an en suite main bedroom. To the rear there’s a garden. He’s not sure of the value but reckons it’s between €150,000 and €175,000, and says he is willing to pay the balance for the right apartment.

He announced his swap plan in a small ad in last Saturday's Irish Times. He's looking for a one or two-bed in Dublin and isn't too fussy about the area, saying he knows he has to "cut his cloth". He's at foconnor@dinglelaw.com.