From a house at the edge of the sea to a popular former outdoor education centre, property auctions are still a great hunting ground to find something unusual or to spot a development opportunity.
There's no guarantee there won't be a bidding war pushing the guide price up out of your range - or that if you are the eventual winner you will successfully secure planning permission.
But its that unknown quantity is what makes live property auctions so exciting yet nerve wracking.
If any of these lots convince you to part with your cash you'd better be quick - because the hammer falls within the next few weeks.
Mountain Ash: £18,000
The house with the cheapest guide price currently going to auction in south Wales is a three storey renovation project in the Cynon Valley.
Property auctions have become so popular that it is now rather unusual to find a three bedroom house going under the hammer with a guide of just £18,000, although this home is likely to achieve much more than this starting price.
Inside it appears that renovations have begun with some rooms stripped back to plaster and the floors stripped back to floorboards.
If the winning bidder decides to finish what someone else has started they could end up with a good sized family home or rental property.
With an impressive mountain view from the back garden, it would appear that the future is bright for this terraced house that is sure to sell with such an attractive guide price.
This renovation project is going under the hammer with Paul Fosh Auctions on Thursday, August 1, at 5pm at The Park Inn Hotel, Llanedeyrn, Cardiff
Trawsfynydd, Blaenau Ffestiniog: £25,000
This distinctive stone building might look like a house desperate for a renovation but according to the auction house, this unusual property is thought to be a former police station.
Looking inside there doesn't seem to be any indication of the building's former life, but there is a criminal amount of work that needs tackling.
People who were arrested during the property's past life might have been trying to get out of the building - but currently the local plant life is trying to break in. Leaves and tendrils are beginning to snake their way in through cracks in the floors and stonework.
However looking past the attack from the garden and the obvious damp, there's a character home looking to be released from its nature prison for a starting guide price of just £25k.
There's a lot of space on offer inside the property for that price.
During a total renovation the new owner has the opportunity to create a pretty country cottage by exposing some of the original stone walls and introducing ceiling beams and fireplaces.
Located in a prime spot within the heart of the Snowdonia National Park the property could make an ideal holiday let too.
It is going under the hammer with a guide price of £25,000 - £35,000 with All Wales Auction North Wales on Thursday, August 8, at 4pm at Menai Science Park, Gaerwen, Anglesey
Baglan: £130,000
This detached house might look more appropriate as a hunting lodge nestled within some ancient forest in a fairytale, or a game keeper's house within the grounds of a sprawling country manor than situated on a suburban road in the Port Talbot area .
Located on the aptly named Lodge Drive, the distinctive property is situated next to the gates of Ysgol Gynradd Baglan Primary School.
The property can offer a new owner a generous side and rear garden, including a driveway for up to three cars, plus three bedrooms, two reception rooms and a bathroom.
If this home could be your house hunting fairytale ending, you could bid at Paul Fosh Auctions on Thursday, August 1, at 5pm at The Park Inn Hotel, Llanedeyrn, Cardiff
If you're thinking of bidding on a property at auction, these tips might help:Llandyfan, near Ammanford: £100,000 - £150,000
How cute is Lletty Forge Barn? Full of potential and full of character, this auction lot comes with planning permission for this former barn to be converted into a home.
And if the winning bidder is worried about where their car might live, as well as ample onsite parking, there is already a two car garage available too.
Nestled within about half an acre of land, the property is surrounded by beautiful Brecon Beacons countryside and once converted will offer its new owner a charming home in a stunning location.
If a new owner is considering developing the site as a , subject to obtaining planning permission, they could live next door as the neighbouring cottage is also for sale under a separate auction lot.
Lletty Forge next door is a pretty white-washed two bedroom detached cottage and includes character features like ceiling beams and a large stone fireplace in the lounge. It comes with just over five acres of land.
It has a starting guide price of £150,000 and Lletty Forge Barn £100,000. Both properties go to auction as separate lots with John Francis on Wednesday, July 17, at 3pm at Parc Y Scarlets, Llanelli.
Talybont-on-Usk: £200,000
This unique outdoor education centre is a Grade II listed building with four acres of secluded grounds.
Located in the village below Pen-y-Fan mountain in the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park, the Talybont Outdoor Education Centre has operated from this former railway station building for nearly 50 years, making it a local landmark.
The historic stone building with attractive two storey modern extension comprises 12 bedrooms for 36 guests, a dining hall and a kitchen. There is also extensive outdoor space and parking.
The site has the potential - subject to planning and other consents - for variety of uses including tourism, leisure, a residential property with a rural enterprise, Bed & Breakfast or a hotel. The building is currently owned by Newport County Council.
If you have great plans for this versatile building you will have need internet access, as it is being sold through an online auction. The online auction date closes at 1.40pm on Wednesday, July 24, go to website BidX1.com for more details.
Anglesey: £450,000+
This intriguing lot is a five bedroom, detached house with panoramic sea views , perched on the coastline with direct access to the seashore.
With a guide price of less than half a million pounds if the winning bidder can get this house somewhere near this, then they will own a priceless, uninterrupted, waterside location and view.
Located right on the coastline of the large sandy beach of Red Wharf Bay, the surrounding countryside is a designated area of outstanding natural beauty on the east coast of the Isle of Anglesey .
When the tide is in, the lucky new owner might even be able to sit on the garden wall and directly dangle their bare feet into the crystal blue water.
The house boasts five bedrooms, two reception rooms and two bathrooms. With some modernisation, it could become a dream home by the sea.
At the back of the property there are five paddocks and a stable block included in the sale.
This seaside home is going under the hammer with a guide price of £25,000 - £35,000 with All Wales Auction North Wales on Thursday, August 8, at 4pm at Menai Science Park, Gaerwen, Anglesey.
Solva: £450,000
What makes this farm sale unusual is the complete package on offer. Not only is the farm within walking distance from the Pembrokeshire coast, there are also 11 acres on offer too.
In addition, there are an impressive 13 outbuildings ripe for converting into holiday lets (subject to planning) or for equestrian use or to develop into a smallholding, or all three options combined.
And if that was not enough, the 14th Century farm comes with an added bonus - it's not a listed building. So you will be able to by a historic home brimming character but with non of the hassle.
