Snooping around: Rural, urban or renovation

Wreck of the week: Callander, near Stirling. This former Scottish Water property on Loch Venachar comes with 0.75 acres along the shore. For your £250,000 you would be pretty much starting again. There is planning permission in place for a modern glass and timber extension, though that may not be to the taste of traditionalists.
Bell Ingram, 01738 621121
Photograph: Bell Ingram

In town: Newmarket, Suffolk. This £250,000 house in the horse-racing capital is as handsome inside as out, with two oak-floored receptions, a study and a bathroom for both bedrooms. On the down side, the garden is more of a courtyard and you'll have to cruise the side streets to find a parking space.
Jackson-Stops & Staff, 01638 662231
Photograph: Jackson-Stops & Staff

In the country: North Cadbury, Somerset. This pretty thatched property probably pre-dates its 1732 date stone by two centuries. The thatch, kitchen and bathroom are all recent and while it has three bedrooms, a fourth could be sliced out of one of them. It’s just a shame that the kitchen is too narrow for a table.
Chesterton Humberts, 01935 812323
Photograph: Chesterton Humberts

Dream home: Cornwall. Three sets of renovations, starting in the 16th century, have expanded this countryside beauty into a five-bedroom, four-reception room fantasy. It dates back even further, with the quality of the roof – one of the county's oldest – suggesting it was a house of significance in the 14th century. Cheese hooks still hang in the hall which was once a dairy, there’s a barn with potential, a 17th century outhouse and 10 acres of gardens and paddocks. It’s located near the coastal towns of Looe and Fowey and on the market for £825,000.
Jackson-Stops & Staff, 01872 261160
Photograph: Jackson-Stops & Staff

Over the sea: Marrakesh. These 37 villas located 10km from Marrakesh are designed to strike a compromise between the millionaire extravanganzas springing up round the city and the cramped apartments aimed at foreign buyers. For between £362,360 and £385,838 you can get a sumptuous Moorish riad with three bedrooms and a swimming pool set in communal gardens inspired by the Alhambra. There is a clubhouse with spa, children’s club, cinema and restaurant, and a rental management scheme.
escapes2.com, 0800 567 7268
Photograph: escapes2.com