Snooping around: Rural, urban or renovation

In town: London. Parking is a free-for-all on this narrow road in Hampstead Garden Suburb, NW11, but don't let that put you off. For £699,950 yours is a cottagey balm in the midst of suburbia, glossily presented inside with a double wooden-floored reception room and four bedrooms. Outside, the 85ft garden backs on to woodland.
Goldschmidt & Howland, 020 8209 9300
Photograph: Goldschmidt & Howland

In the country: Devon. It needs some updating and some work doing to the roof, but this four-bed 17th-century farmhouse in Langtree, Great Torrington, has large rooms and expansive gardens. Dartmoor and the coast are an easy commute away. Cost: £395,000.
Jackson-Stops & Staff, 01271 377833
Photograph: Jackson-Stops & Staff

Wreck of the week: Cornwall. This two-bed end of terrace in Menheniot near Liskeard is yours for just £129,950. True, you'll need an additional £20,000-£30,000 to renew the fittings, heating, wiring and décor, but it'll be worth it. It sits in a pretty village and overlooks the church to the front and a graveyard behind. But there is no garden, front or back. So those graves are quite close …
Bradleys, 01579 346700
Photograph: Bradleys

Over the sea: France. If your move was permanent you could make a business out of this six-bed house and separate unrestored gîte. It is in the centre of an old riverside village near the town of Chinon in Indre-et-Loire with a formal rose garden in front and sweeping grounds behind. A top-floor room could become a seventh bedroom, and since the gîte has its own garden, entrance and parking it could unobtrusively house holidaymakers. Yours for £365,146.
Winkworth, 020 8576 5582
Photograph: Winkworth