Snooping around: Rural, urban or renovation

Wreck of the week: South Yorkshire. This detached four-bedder in Ardsley, near Barnsley, has been stripped clean. About £150,000 should install the necessaries, but that's on top of the £490,000 asking price. If you take the plunge you'll have 2,600 sq ft to play with and lush pastoral views from the gardens. But beware: part of its land was sold to a developer who is putting up a clutch of houses within a few score metres at the back.
Carter Jonas, 01484 842105
Photograph: Carter Jonas

In town: Dorset. This slice of roomy period elegance in Shaftesbury has three bedrooms, a second eaves sitting room and views to Blackmore Vale. It's in the heart of this famously pretty town, but that also means you step straight from the front door into the street. Yours for £375,000.
Jackson Stops & Staff, 01747 850858
Photograph: Jackson Stops & Staff

In the country: Cornwall.Quaint rustic features abound in this four bedder: beams, inglenooks, a wood-burning stove – and glorious views. Situated in Trehunist, near Liskeard, it has two receptions, a dining kitchen, bathroom and garage. Outside is a large, south-facing garden. It’s a shame the neighbour’s house is attached. Yours for £350,000.
Bradleys, 01752 845488
Photograph: Bradleys

Overseas: United States. This elegant three-bed, three-bathroom house includes all those things Americans take very seriously: a den, a media room with drop down projector and movie screen, a professionally equipped kitchen, a wrap around porch, and oodles of space. Owned by Ken Lewis, a former CEO of the Bank of America, it sits on a bluff overlooking the Chechessee Creek on the gorgeous Spring Island in South Carolina. Floors are made from antique heart pine and limestone imported from a French chateau. Yours for $2,975,000.
Spring Island Realty, 001 843 987 2200
Photograph: Spring Island Realty

Starting from scratch: Wales. For anyone wanting to do a bit of work to get a lot of privacy, this derelict stone and slate farmhouse in Llandysul, Ceredigion, burnt down in the 1950s. It comes with consent for a replacement three-bed, two-bathroom house. Any new owner would need to get friendly with a stone mason as the exterior must be stone faced, although the interior can be as modern as you like. The house sits alone on top of a hill among 45 acres sloping down to a stream, all included in the price. The nearest shopping is at Newcastle Emlyn and there is a beach 10 miles away at New Quay. The property has been checked for bats – a potential conservation issue – but the winged beasts were nowhere to be seen. Cost: £230,000.
Evans Bros, 01545 570462
Photograph: Evans Bros