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THE ROOM was packed and outside on the footpath was a scene reminiscent of the boom – men in suits talking animatedly into mobile phones while stuffing brochures into their pockets. The occasion: a rare auction of houses yesterday in Lisney’s headquarters on St Stephen’s Green. The first, a 1930s semi in Blackrock needing work, the second a quaint bungalow in Greystones, also needing refurbishment. Both houses were being sold by executors, an added incentive to buyers looking for a bargain.

Neither sold low. Two bidders chased 22 Glenvar Park, off Cross Avenue, to a final price of €975,000 (the AMV was €900,000), while three were after Sunnyside, The Burnaby, Greystones, pushing the final price to €910,000 – €260,000 over the AMV. “Good results,” said director John O’Sullivan. “We’re actually very busy with offers coming in this month. And it was the same last month.”