Snooping around: Rural, urban or renovation

In town: Yorkshire. This three-bedder is within York's city walls and is yours for £375,000. It has been exhaustively overhauled throughout, the largest bedroom has an en suite dressing room, and there is an off-street car port. It’s a shame the garden is but a diminutive if pretty courtyard.
Jackson Stops & Staff, 01904 625033
Photograph: Jackson Stops & Staff

In the country: Devon. This spacious barn conversion near Ermington has natural stone walls, exposed timbers in the four bedrooms and sitting room, a large garden and rustic views. It’s a shame the fourth bedroom is Lilliputian. Yours for £340,000.
Marchand Petit, 01548 831163
Photograph: Marchand Petit

Wreck of the week: Yorkshire. The good news is that someone has installed a kitchen in this three-bedder near Cropton, Pickering. The bad news is that everything else is falling apart. You'll need at least £100,000 to do up this dower house, on top of the £395,000 asking price. Situated on the moors it has more than an acre of land – but you do have a close neighbour in otherwise glorious isolation.
Carter Jonas, 01904 558200
Photograph: Carter Jonas

Dream home: Suffolk. It's as bewitching inside as out, and idyllically set in the hamlet of Coltsfoot Green near Newmarket. Beyond those thatched brows is a sitting room with a vast inglenook fireplace and wall and ceiling beams, and further brick fireplaces in the large kitchen and the dining room. One of the three bedrooms is a triangular tent of timbers. Nearly three-quarters of an acre of garden stretches behind. Cost: £345,000.
Jackson Stops & Staff, 01638 662231
Photograph: Jackson Stops & Staff

Over the sea: Montenegro. The glories of Kotor Bay are so spectacular it has been designated a world heritage site. It is unclear how this development of hillside apartment blocks will enhance such loveliness, but from the point of view of the inhabitants the complex is paradise. Wall-to-floor windows overlook mountains and sea, the rooms have air con and broadband, while oak and granite finishes provide indoor glamour. There are three swimming pools to share, plus a gym, sauna and roof top bar. From £103,000 for one bedroom.
Savills, 020 7016 3740
Photograph: Savills