Semis keep their good looks hidden

People looking for a modern family house in a child-friendly development tend to think first of new housing schemes, which usually means ignoring where the real pound per sq ft value is - in houses built in the 1970s. These tend to be large semis with three bedrooms, two good sized reception rooms, and practical family kitchens. In terms of location, vast numbers of them are much closer to the city centre than new developments and not only do they mostly have large gardens, they are also roomier.

A fairly typical example of the value to be had in these type of houses is 46 The Heights, Woodpark, Ballinteer, Dublin 16, which is for sale though Gunne with a price guide of £150,000. The three-bedroom semi was bought by its present owners in 1992 and since then, they have completely redecorated, painting most of the walls white and fitting plain carpets. They also installed a stylish modern kitchen.

Downstairs, the front room features a large, square bay window and opens through double doors into a smaller diningroom. This has been recently fitted with stylish bookshelves, which come with the sale.

A door off the diningroom opens into the kitchen. This was completely re-designed last year and now features a wall of new units painted a deep blue which look well against the acid green paint on the walls. There is also a mobile island unit in the same deep blue which doubles as extra storage and worktop space.

Upstairs, the main bedroom is large enough for extensive fitted wardrobes and a two-seater couch, as well as a bed and a chest of drawers. The second bedroom is also a double with fitted louvre door wardrobes, while the third is a single. This has been used in recent years as an office, so there is a desk and fitted shelving, but it could easily revert to its original use as it still has its built-in single wardrobe. The only room in the house that is still a 1970s throwback is the bathroom which has mirrored smoked tiles and dark wallpaper. However, on the plus side, it is bigger than is usual in new houses. The large, walled back garden has a newly-built brick barbecue. It has side access. Half of the front garden is under grass, and there is a tall hedge which makes for privacy. The other half of the garden consists of a driveway for parking. In front of the south-facing house is a very large green, something you'd be hard pressed to find in a new development.

The kitchen of 46 The Heights was completely re-designed last year and features a wall of new units painted a deep blue and a mobile island unit