Time was when house auctions were an everyday part of the property landscape, and a source of endless fascination for property watchers – before the long awaited arrival of the property price register at least.

In recent years, auctions disappeared almost completely as few vendors wanted to publicly share the massive fall in values. This year they’re back, with Lisney leading the charge and some recent results make for interesting reading.

Take 18 Elgin Road, a meticulous period refurbishment in Ballsbridge that went for auction in February with an AMV of €3.75 million. It achieved €4.8 million on the day, a full 28 per cent above the reserve with a number of bidders competing for the property.

St Peter’s, at 25 Ailesbury Road – Dublin’s most expensive suburb – went for auction in March for €3 million and was withdrawn on the day, it later listed with a €3.25 million asking price, though has now fallen back to €3 million.

In Dublin 4, the Nutley Road area continues to attract big money. In early March, 25 Nutley Avenue sold at auction through Lisney for €2.16 million on an AMV of €1.8 million, 20 per cent above the reserve. A few weeks later, 63 Nutley Avenue sold under the hammer through Colliers and Alan Ferris for €2.15 million, 15 per cent above its opening reserve of €1.7 million. Two weeks ago, the former home of the Colomban Missionary Sisters on 85 Eglinton Road, a vast detached Victorian pile on 0.4 acres attracted lots of interest when it auctioned through Lisney with an AMV of €1.8 million and achieved €2.6 million under the hammer –25 per cent above the guide.

The evidence reflects the very real demand for family homes at the upper end, but it also raises the question whether the AMV’s really reflect the vendors’ desired minimum value. Or are they set low to attract buyer interest? All very well for the vendor, but most frustrating for buyers who think they’re in with a realistic shout around the AMV.