Snooping around: Rural, urban and renovation

In town: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. The outward modesty conceals girth and glamour within: you could carve a fifth bedroom from the attic. The modern kitchen has beautiful fitted oak units, while a family room opens on to the rear garden. Of particular note is the master bedroom – the en suite has a Jacuzzi-style bath. It is a shame it’s on a main road into the city. Yours for £295,000.
Carter Jonas, 01733 588688 Photograph: Carter Jonas/Carter Jonas

In the country: Eglingham, Northumberland. This £375,000 detached stone effort sits in chunky gardens on the edge of the village with a range of outbuildings and handsome, wooden-floored living rooms. Of the three bedrooms one is a single; there is also a lounge, dining room and fitted kitchen.
George F White, 01665 603231 Photograph: George F White/George F White

Wreck of the week: Cheriton, Hampshire. This detached two- or three-bed cottage is structurally whole, but there it ends: £125,000-£150,000 would gut and renew it and replace the wooden kitchen extension. Revitalised, this former beauty in one of the county's prettiest villages should be worth up to £700,000. It is in a conservation area, however, so your more daring ideas might be thwarted. Cost: £385,000.
Keats, 01962 734633 Photograph: Keats/Keats

Bargain of the week: Surrey. For central Kingston upon Thames 1,500 sq feet at £430,000 is a steal. Ordinarily, a detached house with off-street parking adjoining Fairfield Park would fetch more than £500,000, but the owners want a speedy sale. It was built less than 10 years ago, although it doesn't want its Victorian neighbours to guess that. The living room opens on to a garden, there's a spacious kitchen/dining room, and the top floor is devoted to a huge master suite including dressing room. The two other bedrooms are large doubles.
Townends, 020 8547 1066 Photograph: Townends/Townends

Over the sea: Caribbean. St Lucia is the sort of fantasy that overcomes one on wet Monday mornings: it has tropical forests, a volcano, sulphur baths and white sands. This blue wooden villa is one option in a development of 55 plots perched 600ft above sea level, and from the terrace you gaze over Rodney Bay and the mountains. You can choose to have three or four bedrooms, or have your own notions custom built. Private swimming pools and spas can be added for extra, although you already get to share a communal pool. Cost: £178,672 for the pictured three-bedder.
Planet House, 01275 390422 Photograph: Planet House/Planet House