Three from £550,000 in seaside suburb (House 1)

1 Summerfield Close £600,000

Number 1 Summerfield Close is a solid 1930s tile-roofed bungalow down a secluded lane off Dalkey Avenue, not far from the centre of Dalkey village. The onethird acre property is bounded by high granite walls and appears to have been the kitchen garden of adjacent Summerfield House. The four-bedroom house is being auctioned by Lisney on April 25th, and Charles Broadhead is quoting a guide price of £600,000 (€762,000). Mature hardwoods and some fine old apple trees are dotted about the place. The front garden includes plenty of parking, and a sunken patio and pool. The large south-facing "back" garden is at the side of the house and is laid out in sweeping green lawns on two levels. A majestic weeping willow stands at the side.

A rather utilitarian PVC-framed porch shelters the hall door. The kitchen is immediately opposite. Steps lead down to a utility room, which has a door to the outside, enclosed in a small porch. A small bedroom - probably originally the maid's - adjoins the utility room. The diningroom and drawingroom are on the other side of the house and are linked by a wide arch which may be closed off by a pair of sliding doors. The diningroom is large enough for a ten-seater table and has a west-facing bay window with access on to a patio. The drawing room is about 15 ft by 13 ft, and has a low timber mantel with a tile inset. There is a west-facing window and a south-facing glazed door leads to the back garden.

There are three further bedrooms, two doubles and a single. The main bedroom has a little south-facing bay and a wall of sturdily built, fitted wardrobes. There is a family bathroom, as well as a small shower room, next to the hall door.

Outside, there is a single garage and a large garden shed. This pleasant house has been well looked after, but is in need of some updating. The kitchen in its present form would probably not be suited to modern family life, but there is scope to enlarge it. The attic space could also possibly be converted into an extra room.