Looking for . . . A family home in Glenageary for under €825,000

For families house-hunting in this desirable south Dublin suburb, Silchester Park, the 1950s, Jennings-built estate, is likely to fulfil all their requirements. The mature and well-kept estate is extremely popular with family buyers and most homes that come to the market are executor sales, and it isn't difficult to see why people would not want to leave. The vast majority of houses on the estate feature long gardens, not to mention the expansive, residents-only playing field to which each household has a key – perfect for children. Its leafy environs are idyllic, with period properties on adjoining picturesque Silchester, Adelaide and Marlborough Roads all in the multimillion-euro range, and a range of good schools available in the area. Sandycove is a short walk away, as is Dún Laoghaire and its array of maritime activities. Dublin city is just over half an hour away thanks to the Dart, with Glenageary Dart station located mere minutes from the estate. There has been a steady turnover in the estate in recent years, with 26 of about 144 houses (18 per cent) having traded hands since the beginning of 2010.

24 Silchester Park, Glenageary, Co Dublin

Price: €645,000 Agent: Lisney Size: 115sq m (1,238sq ft)

Number 24 is one of eight similar homes in a row that differ in style to that of the rest of their neighbours, most notably due to their gable roofs – different to the hipped roofs featured on practically all other houses in the estate.

Upon entering , there is a good- sized entrance hall, with wc and a winding staircase. The kitchen, limited in size by modern-day standards, leads to a parquet-floored conservatory which is also accessible from the interconnecting living rooms, both of which feature art deco fireplaces. Upstairs, the hallway is also generously proportioned, leading to three bedrooms, one of which is currently in use as a study, and a bathroom with walk-in shower, which is quite small. The 27.5m (90ft) northeasterly rear garden is laid out primarily in lawn and Indian sandstone paving and is bounded by Glenageary Lawn Tennis Club.

While the now-dated interiors will be refurbished by buyers, they were undoubtedly the last word in sophistication decades ago. Features such as the fully fitted home office and kitchen with masses of units and breakfast nook all show the great care and attention to detail that was put into the house.

The house has huge potential, subject to planning permission, with both a wide side entrance and long rear garden that could be extended into in order to provide a larger kitchen and improved bedroom and bathroom facilities upstairs. A smaller, 109sq m house with the same orientation was for sale in 2007 asking €1.15 million. More recently, neighbouring number 23 sold in 2012 for €560,000.

138 Silchester Park, Glenageary, Co Dublin

Price: €695,000 Agent: Lisney Size: 126sq m (1,356sq ft)

Number 138 is a four-bedroom semidetached house that has been partially updated in recent years, including rewiring and the installation of new windows.

Downstairs there is an entrance hall, leading to a converted garage with bedroom and en suite bathroom, two separate livingrooms and a kitchen.

Upstairs there are three bedrooms, two double and one single, one bathroom and a separate wc. There is a 33m (75ft) northeasterly rear garden that abuts the residents’ playing field and hence has a great sense of privacy, with no neighbours to the rear overlooking your garden.

The house is at present decorated in a rather basic manner and requires some updating. However, it is essentially a blank canvas that can be updated and modified to the tastes of new owners.

The adjoining neighbour, number 139, has extended above the garage, converted the attic and added a small, single-storey kitchen extension, providing an additional 61sqm (656sq ft) in the process, though buyers could, subject to planning permission, conceivably add a larger rear extension than that of their neighbours. This would provide buyers with up to five bedrooms and two to three bathrooms on upper floors in addition to a number of reception rooms and a large kitchen at ground floor, a far more appealing layout than currently exists.

In 2007, a near identical house across the street with a better orientation was for sale asking €1.125 million. Number 138 appears in the property price register as having previously sold in 2012 for €475,000.

16 Silchester Park, Glenageary, Co Dublin

Price: €830,000 Agent: Lisney Size: 151sq m (1,625sq ft)

For sale in walk-in condition, number 16 is an instantly appealing family home. The ground floor comprises a light-filled entrance hall with black-and-white tiled floor, guest wc, two interconnecting living rooms with solid timber flooring and cast-iron fireplaces, separated by sliding doors with stained glass inserts. In addition to these rooms, there is a relatively large eat-in kitchen with granite-topped Wellman units, a utility room and a large garage, which could potentially be converted.

Upstairs there are four bedrooms, two good-sized doubles and two singles, and a family bathroom with bath and shower. To the rear of the house there is a 27.5m (90ft) northeasterly garden laid out in lawn, which also abuts the Glenageary Lawn Tennis Club.

For a good-sized family home, it is unfortunate to not have a second bathroom. One neighbour has built a two- storey extension in the place of the existing garage and built into the attic to provide four double bedrooms, a single bedroom and three bathrooms in total, bringing their house to 216sq m (2,325sq ft) in size.

While this maximises the home’s potential, there would certainly be cheaper ways to remedy the bathroom issue.A similar but smaller 125sq m house was for sale for €1.2 million in 2008 requiring work and has since been heavily extended. aidanmurphyproperty@gmail.com