Carrickmines: €2.1 million:A five-bedroom home in D18 is one of few auction properties this season. Property Editor Orna Mulcahyreports

Estate agents have been slow to put houses to auction this season because of the uncertainty in the property market and the fall-off in buyers. While there are plenty of househunters out there, estate agents are finding it difficult to get buyers to commit, never mind compete in the heated atmosphere of an auction room.

Instead the vast majority of houses coming on the market are for sale by private treaty, with only the more unusual homes being offered for auction.

Marilyn McKey, a sales agent with Douglas Newman Good, is convinced that number 1 Lambourne Wood in Carrickmines is a property worthy of an auction and so on November 7th, the five-bedroom house goes under the hammer.

The AMV of €2.1 million is a relatively strong one given the plentiful supply of similar detached modern houses in nearby Foxrock village. However, its location in this nicely matured development within easy reach of the M50 is likely to attract families trading up.

The house stands on a large corner site close to the entrance of the development off Brennanstown Road.

A set of high gates set it apart, while there's plenty of parking in the large driveway. The sunny back garden comes with a tree house.

Inside, it's a sizeable home of around 260sq m (2,800sq ft) that includes four reception rooms. It's a bright airy house with polished timber floorboards throughout and big picture windows.

A wide hallway leads to a 20ft livingroom with a bay window to the front, though much of the family living goes on in the big country style kitchen at the back of the house that opens to a diningroom.

There is also a family room, playroom and conservatory. New owners will inherit a comfortable home in pristine order, but will probably redecorate from scratch as is the norm in this price bracket.