If location is key for many people looking to find their perfect place to call their new home, then maybe a property that has access to coast, country and city might be the trio that triumphs and wins a buyer's heart.
And Vale of Glamorgan has long been seen as a popular county that can offer it all.
Nestled between Cardiff and Swansea, whichever city you need or want to be closest too, the county can offer a heritage coast, stunning countryside, pockets of characterful properties within pretty villages, as well as the popular market town of Cowbridge as its heart and Penarth and Barry on its coast.
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If being closer to the capital and in a thriving town is most important, then the seaside towns of Penarth and Barry are potential places to explore, and both have seen an increase in their average property price that reflects the unique offering each can tempt a buyer to relocate to their suburbs.
During the Covid-19 pandemic location and space, although always very important aspects of a search for a new home, drove the Welsh property market into a frenzy, with record-breaking price rises and many buyers struggling to find and secure a new home. Find out more about that here.
One of the hottest of the hot spots during this time was Vale of Glamorgan. Again, always popular with buyers because of its location and landscape and so always more expensive than many other counties, the pandemic solidified Vale of Glamorgan's position as one of the top counties to live, recording the highest percentage increase in the average house price.
According to figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) for the month of December 2021 and looking at a year-on-year comparison, Vale of Glamorgan had the highest increase in average house price in Wales for that month.
The ONS recorded a 20.8% rise, seeing the average price climb to £293,623. Find out more about that here.
The county can boast an abundance of characterful and historic period properties, from agricultural buildings to country manors and castles, many of which are included within the local authority's list of 'County Treasures', a document that records details of each important building in the region.
So if a unique home is a must, as well as a location full of beauty plus bustling towns, then Vale of Glamorgan can deliver there too.
Many of its former agricultural buildings have been transformed into charming country homes, but not many can boast they are within strolling distance of a heritage coast.
The 14-mile stretch of the Welsh coast from Aberthaw to Porthcawl that makes up the Glamorgan Heritage Coast is a delight of rugged cliffs, secluded coves, sweeping sand and pebble beaches and mesmerising views.
And this characterful former farm barn has been converted into a spacious home near the village of Boverton, can offer you a stroll to the end of the quiet lane to Summerhouse Bay on the coast.
From the barn, Boverton Beach is just half a mile away and Llantwit Major beach only about a mile away, so the hardest part of a daily walk might be deciding on the destination.
But the coastline here is also home to numerous intriguing buildings of the past, including the ruin Boverton Promontory Fort, which is just a few minute's walk from this lovely converted barn for sale.
No ruin here though, just a chunky, stone slice of a former farm complex of three homes that can offer space, views and a location that is peaceful and idyllic yet easily accessible to neighbouring villages, towns and Cardiff.
As you might expect from a converted barn that has been transformed into an amazing home and done well, the essence of the charm of the barn remains.
There are exposed stone walls and chunky beams, a log burner in the main lounge and the four substantial arched windows, formerly barn doors, are a delight to encounter.
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The central hall of the barn can offer a handy family room to the left that looks out over the lane and is a very versatile space - home office, gym, media room, quiet lounge away from the main hub of the home? - the choice of function belongs to the new owner.
Into the main section of the barn, and it's a trio of terrific spaces that interlock via double doors which means successful flow and connection but also the ability to shut the doors and close off each room if and when required.
At one end is the main lounge and it's a stunner, with an exposed stone wall at the end as the character backdrop to the log burner, and the two arched windows ensuring light and expansive country views are forever present.
Into the central room then, and it's a sociable and sizable kitchen diner that oozes space as well as modern country charm.
The table can currently seat eight, but there's room for more, the kitchen island is a bonus and popular feature that the space can easily welcome.
The classic Shaker-style units are hiding a range of integrated appliances that includes a dishwasher plus a dual fuel range cooker with six ring hob and chimney cooker hood above, and underfloor heating below.
But again, maybe it's the huge arched windows that steal the show in here, framed by exposed stone that adds tactile texture to the inviting space.
Wander then into the third space and it is another versatile room, marketed as a formal dining room but currently being used as a snug, with the French doors overlooking the garden and providing direct access is a welcome bonus.
Back to the hall and the bespoke wooden staircase, with a stone wall as a characterful companion, take you up to five bedrooms, two of which have an ensuite, plus a family bathroom.
There's always a worry that when converting a building that was never meant to be a home for humans the upstairs might suffer in terms of space and/or charm compared to the downstairs.
Not so in this barn, as the ceilings in the bedrooms are nowhere to be seen, rather the upper section of each room extends into the roof space where the exposed roof structure waits to welcome your gaze.
It means each bedroom has its own unique character and charm, size and space, enhanced by swathes of exposed stone wall as well as appropriate country inspired wood furniture interior design.
Outside, the garden is made private by more tactile stonework, this time as parameter walls, and make the space a child and dog friendly zone.
There's plenty of space to party out here, and kick a ball too, but if the kids want outdoor size more like a full football pitch, the rest of the stunning landscape of Vale of Glamorgan waits beyond the garden gate.
Mill Barn is for sale for £850,000 with estate agent PA Black, Cowbridge, call them on 01446 772857 to find out more.
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