A YEAR ago, Lisney’s Darren Chambers ran an auction in Meath the day the IMF came to town. It worked out okay, he says, so he’s not worried about putting two houses in Dublin 9 up for auction on Budget Day, December 6th.

They’re both executor sales, both redbricks needing refurbishment in quiet cul-de-sacs and both have disclosed reserves under €300,000. (A disclosed reserve means it will be sold on the day if it gets to that price).

Number 8 Achill Road, a redbrick semi off Homefarm Road in Drumcondra, is a 130sq m (1,400sq ft) house with two receptions, three bedrooms and an attic room: and a reserve of €275,000. It has a 30ft long back garden. Number 27 Marguerite Road in Glasnevin is near the Botanic Gardens and has much the same profile – it’s 117sq m (1,258sq ft), and is also a three-bed, with a 30ft back garden. It has a reserve of €225,000.