Sir, - With reference to Mr MacMahon's letter (May 6th), I am also aware of instances where the guide price quoted by the estate agent is comfortably exceeded at auction, only to be told that the reserve has not been achieved.
Furthermore, potential buyers can no longer compare the achieved price with the guide price as your property supplement rarely now compares the two prices. Surely this is of primary interest to readers of this supplement?
This comparison would allow potential buyers to determine whether the guide price quoted by a particular estate agent is realistic or not, in the process saving time and money. - Yours etc.,
Dartmouth Place
Dublin 6
Property Editor Jack Fagan writes: It is not correct to say that we don't compare the guide prices quoted by the auctioneers with the eventual sale price. The two figures are frequently compared in the auction results page. See yesterday's Property Supplement.