Snooping around: Rural, urban or renovation

In the country: Devon. This two-bed cottage is in the centre of Holbeton, a relatively well-served village near Modbury a walk away from Mothecombe beach. There is an inglenook in the living area, a decent back garden and off-street parking, but it's all quite petite. Yours for £255,000.
Marchand Petit, 01548 831163
Photograph: Marchand Petit

In town: West Sussex. You can stare at the sea from the three balconies of this four-bedder in Worthing. There is no garden, but the three bathrooms, office and open-plan kitchen are chicly styled, and there is also a self-contained one-bed flat. Cost: £470,000.
Winkworth, 01273 320300
Photograph: Winkworth

Wreck of the week: County Durham. This stone barn is on the edge of the village of Mickleton near Barnard Castle. It is a shell, so reckon on £75,000-£100,000 to get it ship-shape, but that's on top of the £150,000 asking price. It offers powerful views over the hills and more than an acre-and-a-half of the landscape to call your own. The planning permission only allows for two bedrooms and one reception.
George F White, 01388 527966
Photograph: George F White

Dream home: Cornwall. You’ll need to be a millionaire to realise this dream, but once installed you’ll be able to do without the annual Caribbean holiday: paradise will be laid out before you. From your vantage point just outside St Ives you can witness the four miles of sand and an infinity of sea that is Carbis Bay. Full-length and port hole windows absorb the view into the four bedrooms and two receptions. Yours for £950,000.
Waterfront and Country Homes, 01872 273473
Photograph: Waterfront and Country Homes

Over the sea: Mallorca. Portocolom is a (relatively) undiscovered fishing village. Obviously it will be discovered now that a holiday village is arising on its shores, but in the most tasteful way. The apartments and town houses are low rise, prettily coloured and built in traditional style round palm-spotted gardens. There’s a large communal pool and it’s but a brief wander to the sea. Palma de Mallorca airport is 40 minutes drive away. From £243,000 for a two-bed apartment.
Savills, 020 7016 3740
Photograph: Savills