Snooping around: Rural, urban or renovation

In town: Northumberland. This three-bedder in Rothbury, near Alnwick, is close to the centre of this market town. It has a living room, dining room, kitchen and utility room, and boasts glorious green views over the valley. It’s a shame it is leasehold and comes with £900 annual charges. Yours for £209,995.
George F White, 01665 603231
Photograph: George F White

In the country: Northamptonshire. This bright and spacious Georgian cottage in Abthorpe, near Towcester, is on the market for £365,000. It is elegantly presented with three bedrooms, an inglenook fireplace, a large south-facing garden and a garage. It is a shame the front door opens straight into the living room.
Jackson-Stops & Staff, 01604 632991
Photograph: Jackson-Stops & Staff

Wreck of the week: Northumberland. This solitary building in Hartside, near Alston, is yours for £70,000. Originally it was a bothy which provided emergency shelter for shepherds. Currently the loo is a bucket and water comes from a spring, but planners have agreed to a bathroom extension. Set aside £100,000 to complete all renovations. It sits in 1.3 acres of its own moorland with views to the Solway Firth and the Lake District. And it's solitary: more than three miles to the local shop.
George F White, 01388 527966
Photograph: George F White

In Norfolk #1: South Creake. Properties on the coast of Norfolk sell for a fortune these days. But if you go inland you can still find good value, including this traditional three-bed brick and flint cottage. It is a little on the dinky side, but the open-plan kitchen and sitting room has a sense of considerable space. Outside is only a small enclosed courtyard, but the surrounding countryside more than compensates. South Creake is charming with a popular pub, a green and one of the first maize mazes. Cost: £249,950.
Sowerbys, 01328730340.
Photograph: Sowerbys

In Norfolk #2: Fring. If the quality of neighbours is an important consideration, this £345,000 barn conversion bordering the Queen’s Sandringham estate is for you. Set in a conservation area it has two generous bedrooms (one en suite), a kitchen-diner with fitted oak fronted cupboards and granite style surfaces, and a large sitting room with full height windows and a wood-burning stove. Being in the middle of nowhere the house has oil-fuelled central heating.
Abbotts Countrywide, 01328 738111
Photograph: Abbotts Countrywide