Snooping around – in pictures

In the country: Cumbria. This is perched safely above the river in Garrigill, Alston, with infinite views across the Pennines. The four bedrooms and large receptions have been stylishly renovated and are yours for £420,000. It’s a shame that access is up a rough, unadopted road, which will stymie your average family banger.
Smiths Gore Photograph: Smiths Gore

In town: Devon. Totnes is the location of this £375,000 three-bed riverside penthouse. It was fashioned from an old chapel and has its master suite in the turret and two roof terraces off the large reception room. The dated decor will need sprucing.
Marchand Petit Photograph: Marchand Petit

Wreck of the week: Northamptonshire. On the market for £195,000, this is a two-bedroom end-of-terrace in need of a total refurb. It has a pretty, rural setting in Pury End, Towcester, and has plenty of quaint features. You could carve a third bedroom out of the attic, subject to planning, but currently you have to walk through one bedroom to reach the other.
Jackson-Stops & Staff Photograph: Jackson Stops & Staff

Dream home: Essex. The Old Rectory in Faulkbourne combines 1840s architecture with mod-cons including a heated – albeit outdoor – swimming pool, a marble wet room (which is en suite to the master bedroom), a cinema room and a gym. If it’s not quite the weather for a dip you can survey your 2.5 acres from the vaulted Orangery, or the windows of any of your six bedrooms. Or you could just pass the time of day in the expensive wine cellar. It’s about 10 miles from Chelmsford, 22 miles from Stansted airport and yours for £2.85m.
Beresfords, 01245 809143 Photograph: Beresfords