Snooping around: Rural, urban or renovation

In town: Reading, Berkshire. Prices start at £154,950 in this new city centre quarter. From the upper floors you can gaze across town in all its glory. You are five minutes from the station and get to tread hardwood floors, sluice in designer bathrooms and park underground. Only grander buyers get a balcony and there are no communal gardens.
Sales Suite, 0118 959 7185 Photograph: Sales Suite/Sales Suite

In the country: Budlake, Devon. This rural residence is a £225,000 grade II-listed cottage with a glorious garden, two bedrooms and a garage. There's also a study, or additional bedroom, depending on your preference. Beware that only 65 years remain on the lease, and it is a little weary inside and sited on a fairly busy B-road.
Fulfords, 01392 252666 Photograph: Fulfords/Fulfords

Wreck of the week: Wootton Bridge, Isle of Wight. This three-bedder needs £30,000 to revive it, but £100,000 would transform it. It backs on to a creek with its own slipway and pontoon, and grand water views. It also has a garden, a sun room and two receptions. There's a £302 annual licence fee for the moorings. Yours for £499,000.
Creasey Biles & King, 01983 527744 Photograph: Creasey Biles & King/Creasey Biles & King

Bargain of the week: Totnes, Devon. The price has shrunk to £375,000 because the owners want a quick getaway. The deal is a large former farmhouse at least 500 years old, and said to date back to the Domesday Book. It's in the village of Stoke Gabriel, a walk away from the quay and a swift boat chug to the sea. The ground floor is flagstoned and a huge storeroom could be harnessed as a third reception, and there are four bedrooms. It has a large walled garden.
Marchand Petit, 01803 847979 Photograph: Marchand Petit/Marchand Petit

Over the sea: Italy. All the ingredients the English expect of Tuscany are here in this converted medieval borgo – a procession of cypress trees, an ancient stone facade, olive groves, baked hillsides and an infinity swimming pool. On a clear day you can see across to Corsica. The buildings are being turned into 11 one- and two-bed apartments, plus a small hotel and restaurant. Pisa airport is an hour away. Prices from £323,000.
Knight Frank, 020 7629 8171 Photograph: Knight Frank/Knight Frank