Trading up, trading down

Trading up: Devon. The thrill of thatch without the low ceilings, dry rot and other traditional companions of vintage lifestyles is available with this £345,000 four-bedroom cottage. It and its similarly fetching neighbours were built five years ago in an old farmyard. Beyond the paved gardens is the hamlet of Colscott. A family will comfortably inhabit its two large receptions, two showers and a barn, which could be annexed as living space, subject to planning.
Stags, 01237 425030 Photograph: Stags/Stags

Trading up: Suffolk. Despite its old school looks this is in fact one of a clutch of new homes in the village of Walsham Le Willows. Inside, its youth is softened by a brick hearth in the living room, a Shaker-style kitchen/breakfast room and pretty casements. Two of the four bedrooms are en suites and there is an extra bathroom and a hospitably-sized dining room. The old village is well served with basic stores, pubs and a primary school. Cost: £350,000.
Savills, 01473 234 800 Photograph: Savills/Savills

Trading down: Cornwall. Credit-crunch penury could be positively pleasurable in this new two-bedroom apartment. Mevagissy has one of the region’s largest fishing fleets and you can supervise the floating rush hour from two bedrooms and an open-plan living area. Most essentials are on hand in this cinematically cute village and the adjoining south-west coast path will keep you spectacularly exercised. Shedding the family home should raise the required £200,000.
Stags, 01872 264488 Photograph: Stags/Stags

Trading down: Shropshire. This house near Whitchurch dates back to 1468 and is lavishly beamed inside and out. Ancient inglenook and brick fireplaces warm the two spacious reception rooms and a quaintly crooked, beam-trussed landing leads to three bedrooms with thigh-high windows and wood floors. You could annex the old coal shed with permission. As well as the walled gardens there is a paddock available to rent at £175 a year. It’s yours for around £210,000.
Halls, 01948 663230 Photograph: Halls/Halls

Dream home: Essex. The Wedgewood family built this to resemble a tea caddy, and its fetching curves have been created in miniature by Lilliput Lane collectibles. Its charms are as winsome inside where the walls are curved, the ceilings beamed and the gothic windows in the two bedrooms framed by shutters. The two cellar rooms have natural light so could swell the accommodation if the dainty living room becomes cramped. It has large gardens. Cost: £350,000.
David Burr, 01206 263007 Photograph: David Burr/David Burr

Bargain of the week: Suffolk. Three bedrooms, a garage, a decent paved garden - all for £150,000. The Shotley Peninsula is nine miles south of Ipswich between the Stour and Orwell estuaries, and Shotley Gate village is perched on the end of it with views over the water. The marina offers serious sailing opportunities a short walk from the door. Inside this detached triangle down a leafy no-through road is a good-sized reception, a cloakroom and conservatory.
Fenn Wright, 01473 232700 Photograph: Fenn Wright/Fenn Wright