Snooping around: Rural, urban and renovation

In town: Canterbury, Kent. This is city centre living (plus parking!) at its most immaculate. A regal master suite fills the whole of the first floor, while two more bedrooms share a bathroom at the top. It’s a shame outside doesn't quite match – the garden is a mere courtyard. Yours for £385,000.
Strutt & Parker, 01227 451123 Photograph: Strutt & Parker/Strutt & Parker

In the country: Worlingworth, Suffolk. Set among woodland with its own garden and pond, this detached effort has the lot: the master suite is a dramatic triangle of beams, fireplaces survive everywhere, the kitchen is huge, and there's a cellar and double garage. All for just £299,950. The sitting room is, admittedly, a touch narrow.
Abbotts, 01728 723206 Photograph: Abbotts/Abbotts

Wreck of the week: Besford, Worcestershire. This two-bed listed cottage sits prettily in half-an-acre and is vintage – the only loo is an outside earth closet. To treat the timber, install modern comforts and extend it could require up to £150,000. Beware – you could end up spending more than the £350,000 it would be worth once restored. Cost: £200,000.
Allan Morris & Osborne, 01386 554747 Photograph: Allan Morris & Osborne/Allan Morris & Osborne

Bargain of the week: Essex. This is the largest house on a small development of new-builds. Three-bed houses in the village of Kelvedon can fetch £0.5m; this one at £495,000 has five bedrooms, three receptions and a kitchen/breakfast room nearly 18ft long. Outside there is a quarter of an acre with a river and gated parking. It's a (relatively) afffordable way for city workers to live grandly – London is less than an hour by train.
Fenn Wright, 01376 516464 Photograph: Fenn Wright/Fenn Wright

Over the sea: Italy. If only this restored four-bed villa had views over nearby Lake Como it would be twice the price. Not that you need water when the two large terraces and balcony overlook treetops and mountains in this rarified part of northern Italy. The lakeside resort of Bellagio is 20 minutes away and it's an easy trip to the slopes in winter. The owner has spent a lot restoring it to luxury standard so the 395 euro asking price is a bargain.
The Property Finders, 0800 622 6745 Photograph: The Property Finders/The Property Finders