Snooping around

Property of the week: Friar’s Terrace, York. This grade II-listed spot admires its own reflection in the river in the heart of this ancient city. It is bounded in front by a medieval wall and the upper windows look over to the remains of York’s hilltop castle. The four bedrooms and one of the two reception rooms all have fireplaces. Shame about the small courtyard. £545,000. Jackson-Stops & Staff, 01904 625033. Photograph: Jackson-Stops & Staff

Wreck of the week: Ravenstonedale, near Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria. This stone barn is on a farm with its own private access and has planning permission to become a three- or four-bed house. Budget at least £200,000 for the conversion. It’s 10 minutes to the M6 and 30 minutes to fast train links to London and Glasgow, but it’s 15 minutes from the nearest pint of milk. £250,000. Carter Jonas, 01539 722592. Photograph: Carter Jonas

Take three: great homes that are cut-price for a reason. Bircham Newton, near King’s Lynn, Norfolk. This was once officers’ quarters in an army base. The two receptions, kitchen/breakfast room and the four beds are large with views over a green. But most of the other buildings are now a training centre for construction workers. In another setting it would be £100,000 more. Cost: £289,950. Belton Duffey, 01553 770055. Photograph: Belton Duffey

Take three: great homes that are cut-price for a reason. Mobberley, near Knutsford, Cheshire. You don’t need a million to share a postcode with footballers’ wives. Built in 1937, the house is floored, beamed and panelled with oak and sits in an acre of voluptuous gardens. It’s also under Manchester Airport’s flight path. But for the noise, you’d need another £100,000 for this sort of grandeur. Cost: £795,000. Jackson-Stops & Staff, 01625 540340. Photograph: Jackson-Stops & Staff

Take three: great homes that are cut-price for a reason. Lidsey, near Bognor Regis, West Sussex. Built in 1705, probably as an inn to fuel boatmen passing along the canal, it has beams and fireplaces, two receptions, a breakfast room, kitchen and three beds. It also sits side on to the busy A29. Out of earshot of the traffic, it would be around £100,000 more. Cost: £425,000. Jackson-Stops & Staff, 01243 786316. Photograph: Jackson-Stops & Staff