Snooping around

Property of the week: Harwich, Essex. It’s two for one with this gaff. Originally built as a single house in the 19th century, it spent 180 years in two halves before being reunited by the current owners. There are still two kitchens and enough reception rooms (four) and bedrooms (eight) for two families, should you wish to seal the connecting doors. It has views to the North Sea, and two miles of sandy beach in both directions. Cost: £595,000.
Fenn Wright, 01206 763388 Photograph: Fenn Wright/Fenn Wright

Wreck of the week: Oswestry, Shropshire. This redundant church meeting room is structurally healthy, but it requires planning permission and about £40,000 to domesticate it. Built in 1830, this is a piece of solid sandstone Victoriana with trussed beams on a peaceful lane with fields unrolling beyond the garden wall. A post office, school and pub enliven the village. Cost: £160,000.
Balfours, 01691 655334 Photograph: Balfours/Balfours

Take three: homes under £100,000. Around half the flats in this south-east London council block are in private ownership. For £80,000 you get a reception, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom, as well as a balcony off the large living room with vistas across east London. A concierge filters undesirables and the Woolwich DLR station will be a short walk away when complete. Shame about the £2,800 annual service charge and Woolwich’s lack of glamour.
Harrison Ingram, 0845 478 7194 Photograph: Harrison Ingram/Harrison Ingram

Take three: homes under £100,000. With a reception room, modern kitchen and bathroom, this one-bedder in Plymouth is a snip at just £89,950. You also get a private, sunny roof terrace with views down the hill to Victoria Park and room for a compact barbecue. New carpets are to be laid, and the bedroom affords long vistas. There is no central heating, however, only storage heaters in the two main rooms.
Just Flats! 01752 256666 Photograph: Just Flats!/Just Flats!

Take three: homes under £100,000. This one-bedroom £60,000 terrace near Caernarfon, Gwynedd, offers a reception room, kitchen and shower room. There’s also a deep inglenook fireplace in the living room, space to expand into the loft and a tiny courtyard garden. The sea, Snowdonia and the Lleyn Peninsula are all an easy drive away. What a shame the rooms are lilliputian and the shower room opens off the lounge.
Williams & Goodwin, 01248 355333 Photograph: Williams & Goodwin/Williams & Goodwin