Bockhanger Lane, Kennington, Ashford, Kent, TN24

At £220,000, this detached period cottage is priced well below the local average per square foot, making the asking price a clear acquisition opportunity. The two-bedroom layout, multiple reception spaces, period beams and brickwork, wrap-around garden and off-street parking give it plenty of character and scope to shape into a distinctive home. It is being sold by Modern Method of Auction: bidding can take the hammer above the guide, so the eventual price may not stay this cheap.

The interiors are visibly dated, with worn finishes and an overgrown garden, so this is a medium-scale project rather than a cosmetic refresh. Modernising the kitchen and bathroom, refreshing floors and decoration, and clearing and improving the garden offer a clear route to add appeal. The roof looks weathered in the images, although they do not establish a failure, so it merits inspection.