Glenageary: €1.6mA redbrick villa with an 80ft back garden on Lower Albert Road in Glenageary is one of the few properties being lined up for auction this autumn.

Selling agent Brian Nolan of Gunne Residential is giving an AMV of €1.6 million for the 158sq m (1,700sq ft) house which goes under the hammer on September 26th.

It's an ideal buy for empty-nesters trading down from a bigger house in the area, and it's empty-nesters who have been in the best position to buy at auction this year. With plenty of equity built up in their own homes, they are considered a safe bet by the banks, compared to the overstretched couples trading up, who may not be able to sell their existing home.

The semi-detached house is in a popular neighbourhood for downsizers, with Dalkey and Glasthule villages close by and the sea a short walk away. Number 37 has good off-street parking to the front - essential on this busy road - and a long back garden sheltered by mature trees and shrubs.

Inside, the house is in good decorative order though the buyers will probably redecorate and extend. The layout is attractive with a large square reception room on either side of the wide hallway. One is a drawingroom, one a formal diningroom and both have open fireplaces and deep bay windows.

There is a third reception room at the back of the house with French doors leading out to the garden. It's a pleasant, sunny room with a period-style marble fireplace.

The kitchen is a reasonable size and it connects to a conservatory that could from part of a larger eat-in kitchen.

There are two bedrooms and a shower room on the ground floor, while the main bedroom is upstairs with a view over the back garden.

The garden is one of the big selling points of the property, with its immaculate stretch of lawn and lush profusion of shrubs.