Snooping around: Rural, urban and renovation

Wreck of the week: Shropshire. At Hill End, near Claverley, sits this £150,000 roomy three-bed semi. It's skeletal so you’ll need up to £50,000 to plaster, plumb, wire and fit the inside, as well as landscape the expanse of mud that is the back garden. It’s handy for Telford and Wolverhampton, but is hard on a busy B road.
Balfours, 01743 353511 Photograph: Balfours

In town: Newcastle. The two balconies on this three-bed flat on Mariners Wharf, Quayside, give you 180-degree views over the river. All the bedrooms have full-length windows and the open-plan living area is over two storeys. It’s a shame the kitchen is upstairs and the bedrooms down below. Cost: £297,500.
Sanderson Young, 0191 213 0033 Photograph: Sanderson Young

In the country: Cornwall. This £375,000 thatched three-bedder is in Tehidy, near Camborne, and close to 250 acres of wooded parkland. Inside is a sitting room with fireplace and curved bay window, a kitchen, a breakfast room, a dining room, a sun room and a shower room. Outside are two carports, period outbuildings and a dilapidated stone barn.
Lillicrap Chilcott, 01872 273473 Photograph: Lillicrap Chilcott

Dream home: Suffolk. This four-bed thatch was built at the beginning of the 20th century and was once part of the Sutton Hoo estate, abutting the National Trust site of the world famous Sutton Hoo archaeological site. It features stunning views of the River Deben and sits in 1.9 acres. Just minutes from Melton Station, which has a direct line to London and Norwich, the location is exceptional: close to Orford, Snape (with its world renowned concert hall), Dunwich, Aldeburgh, Southwold and an RSPB nature reserve. Cost: £585,000.
Fine & Country, 01394 446007 Photograph: Fine & Country

Overseas: Portugal. Just a short walk from the restaurants and water sport activities of popular golf and beach resort Quinta do Lago, this two-bedder is in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Surrounded by scented pine forests, flower-bordered lakes and close to the beach, the townhouse sits close to the Algarve's Ria Formosa natural park. Fully air-conditioned with a BBQ area and a large terrace, it is located just 25 minutes from the nearest airport. Cost: €650,000.
Knight Frank, 020 7629 8171 Photograph: Knight Frank