If it's a bargain you're after, you can forget those fresh, shiny show homes and turnkey properties. Instead, look slightly under the radar at the fixer-uppers: those properties that need a bit of TLC in order to shine.
This week's selection takes us to Clondalkin in west Dublin Marino, Artane and Beaumont on the northside, and Balbriggan in north county Dublin.
29 St. Aidan's Park, Marino
€525,000
3-bed terraced house
Built between the world wars, Marino was the first local authority housing estate in the country, based on the 'garden village' concept that was popular in the UK at the time.
It's still a hugely popular suburb, with plenty of mature trees, green space and quiet streets. 29 St. Aidan's Park faces one of the area's mini parks, and benefits from a lack of through traffic.
While dated, the house has plenty to recommend it, with well-proportioned rooms, a rear extension and a generous back garden.
Check it out at Perfect Property.
37 Kilmore Close, Artane
€410,000
4-bed semi-detached house
This spacious, semi-detached house looks to be ideal for a growing family - albeit after an extensive refresh. A large entrance hall welcomes you into the house and through to the kitchen, while next door there's a bright, airy feel to the dual aspect living room.
Unusually there's a downstairs bedroom with its own private door; the other bedrooms are upstairs, along with the bathroom.
The back garden is a huge selling point here - large and well kept with a patio and greenhouse, it's ready to enjoy straight away.
Check it out at Perfect Property.
8 Shantalla Park, Beaumont
€395,000
3-bed terraced house
This is a neat and tidy mid-terrace in the settled, popular Beaumont area of north Dublin. The house benefits from a pleasant front garden, and once inside the door you can see that the house appears to be ready to move into.
Buyers will want to redecorate and install a new kitchen and bathroom, but these changes are not required immediately.
As well as the front garden, there's a low-maintenance back garden laid in patio and gravel, with vehicle and pedestrian access to the laneway behind the house.
Check it out at Perfect Property.
50 Monastery Gate Close, Clondalkin
€360,000
4-bed semi-detached house
If access to the motorway system is a priority, then we have just the house for you. Set in a quiet residential cul-de-sac, 50 Monastery Gate Close is only a couple of minutes from the Naas Road and M50, with the Red Cow Luas terminal also close at hand.
That's not all it has to offer, though. This roomy family home benefits from two reception rooms connected by French doors, a patio door to the back garden and four well-proportioned bedrooms, one en suite.
And if you prefer to stay local, Clondalkin village is a short distance away.
Check it out at Perfect Property.
28 Tara Court, Balbriggan
€279,950
3-bed bungalow
You don't often see a three-bed detached house at this price, and moreover this one is on a cul-de-sac in a quiet residential development, walking distance from the town centre.
The house seems to be in decent condition, albeit suitable for a full overhaul to turn it into a thoroughly modern home. There's a spacious living room to the front with open fire, kitchen/diner, main bathroom and three good-sized bedrooms.
There are also gardens at the front and rear of the property, though both are in need of some attention.
