If a renovation project that is anything but standard is what your property heart desires, many can be found nestled within an auction catalogue just waiting to be discovered.
From a medieval church to a rundown cottage by a canal, property auctions can be a happy hunting ground for something out of the ordinary.
And if the budget doesn't stretch to a fully liveable abode in an expensive area, a renovation or conversion might be an option to get the location you yearn for, and property auctions can usually help there too.
READ MORE: Remote rural renovation project in a valley so hidden even Google maps can't find it
Rob Hudson, a partner at Morris, Marshall and Poole, with Norman Lloyd, says: " Residential property auction sales in our region have rocketed over the past two years, as m any homebuyers are seeking larger properties with plenty of indoor and outdoor space, as well as easy access to the countryside or recreational areas.
"We are anticipating a lot of interest in auctions, but in particular demand for properties offering potential for renovation, conversion and extensions."
But there are currently a tempting variety of auction properties competing for your purchasing pounds, including a former jail that could also earn you income and properties where the location is the prime selling point - it'd surely be a crime to not consider their potential if you're looking for a renovation project?
Canal cottage: £75,000
A tranquil canal side cottage (see main image), up for auction next month offers occupants a slower pace of life.
Lock Cottage, on the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal, might need plenty of work but it could become a haven of peace with some sympathetic renovation inside and out.
Sean Roper, of Paul Fosh Auctions, says: "I would see Lock Cottage appealing to someone looking for a secluded retreat in a rural location but which is not way out in the sticks. The manageable property isn't far from the city of Newport and the M4.
"The cottage, entrance kitchen bathroom and lounge on the ground floor with interconnection bedrooms above, could also make a very attractive investment for a holiday let or perhaps Airbnb.
"There is also scope, subject to planning, for a builder to construct perhaps a couple of houses on the land which extends to the front side and rear of the cottage."
The two-bed property, with rambling gardens, is being offered for sale with a guide price of £75,000 plus.
The auction will be online on the Paul Fosh website between Tuesday, February 1 and Thursday, February 3. Call the auction house on 01633 254044 to find out more.
Country chapel: £120,000
The former chapel is a delight to discover, located in an elevated position above the rural hamlet of Brithdir, near Llanfyllin, Powys and could be converted in a range of uses, but a gorgeous dream home in the country is surely top of most potential buyers' lists for its future.
The property includes a bell tower and leaded coloured glazing which provides immense character, with the exposed timber roof structure surely the crowning jewel for any future home created here, subject to achieving planning consent.
The redundant chapel is going to auction with Morris, Marshall & Poole with a guide price of £120,000, call them on 01691 679595 to find out more.
The auction will take place at the Welshpool Auction Centre, within Welshpool Livestock Sales, near Welshpool, on Thursday, February, 10 at 3pm.
Former smithy: £250,000
The Old Smithy near Guilsfield, Powys is a prime example of a property with huge opportunities inside to create a beautiful and characterful dream home, but the outside is something special too.
The sale of the former blacksmiths comes with about five acres of a designated ancient and magical woodland.
Rob Hudson, from Morris, Marshall and Poole, with Norman Lloyd, says: "It is perfect for someone looking to acquire a property they want to renovate into a home.
"In this case it could become solely a house or would also make a perfect location for somewhere to live and work with opportunities to convert part of it as an office or studio."
The property is in a poor state of repair but offers an opportunity to acquire it for extensive renovation across its current layout of four reception rooms, kitchen, two bedrooms, and a bathroom over two floors.
The Old Smithy is going to auction with a guide price of £250,000 with Morris, Marshall & Poole call them on 01938 554818 to find out more.
The auction will take place at the Welshpool Auction Centre, within Welshpool Livestock Sales, near Welshpool, on Thursday, February, 10 at 3pm.
Bargain chapel: £20,000
This Grade II listed former chapel is attached to a former stable, offering opportunities for conversion and renovation, subject to planning permission.
The property is about one mile from the village of Meifod, with good access to the towns of Welshpool, Oswestry and Shrewsbury.
And if you can bag it for anywhere near the guide price of £20,000 that's a bargain as well as surely leaving you enough budget to create a sweet and special abode here.
Built in 1829 it comes with a 999 year lease, with around 807 years unexpired, and comes with an entrance porch, the pulpit and pews.
If you can get planning consent for a dwelling and work with an architect with imagination and vision, this cutie could soon become a cleverly designed and super stylish home.
The chapel is going to auction with a guide price of £20,000 with Morris, Marshall & Poole call them on 01938 554818 to find out more.
The auction will take place at the Welshpool Auction Centre, within Welshpool Livestock Sales, near Welshpool, on Thursday, February, 10 at 3pm.
Help with your hunt for a home here:
Former jail: £210,000
This wonderful Grade II listed period property in Montgomery, Powys dates back to 1832 and still retains many interesting features including the old cell block wall.
The building is approached via Gaol Road with the impressive arched grandiose gateway immediately in view, this being a separate property but retaining pedestrian access through the archway to the old gaol, or a bit less intriguing entrance is the car park off the main street.
The property was previously converted to flats by a housing association with a mix of one and two bed units and now offers scope for improvements and potential to reconfigure with either higher spec flats, Holiday accommodation or a large family dwelling, subject to necessary planning consents.
Find out more about the jail for sale and see inside here.
The auction will be online on the Paul Fosh website between Tuesday, February 1 and Thursday, February 3. Call the auction house on 01633 254044 or joint selling agent Hunters on 01597 825644 to find out more.
Medieval church: £135,000
This auction lot has got a distinct location as well as a unique past history that stretches back centuries to medieval times in some parts.
But the Grade II* listed church has a bright future, as well as a distinct past, as the sale comes with planning for conversion to a two-bed residential dwelling.
The church is situated in the picturesque location of Whitson and original parts of the building date back as far as the 12th century with later additions including the 15th century tower.
Whitson can be found on the atmospheric Gwent Levels, a few minutes walk from the sea wall, the coastal path and panoramic views across the Severn Estuary to Somerset.
This unique environment of drained mud flats and a network of waterways called reens combined with the location's wildlife has resulted in the creation of six Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) across the levels.
Further details about the location and see inside the church here.
Whitson Church is going to online auction with Paul Fosh Auctions on Tuesday, February 1 from noon until Thursday, February 3 until 5.10pm with a guide price of £135,000.
Viewings of the church pre-auction must be booked with the auction house, see their website or call 01533 254044 for further details.
Former granary: £230,000
So this fairy tale cottage seems to be an enchanting proposition of rural retreat, meets renovation, meets easy access to Ruthin - surely many people's perfect new home story?
This former granary near Ruthin has a riverside location with its own footbridge crossing the river to the dwelling itself, located in a part of Denbighshire near the village of Pwllglas officially designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty.
But, as the estate agent states, reality is different to fairy tales and reality here does recognise that even though it bristles with charm and character internally with exposed original beams and stonework, there's a comprehensive programme of updating and refurbishment needed.
But once completed, this two-bed, one-bath cottage with garden next to a babbling brook and its own bridge across it will surely be a dream home, nestled within this area of outstanding natural beauty.
The cottage is soon going to be auctioned with an opening bid of £230,000 so is likely to be sold for higher.
Contact the agent Belvoir, Wrexham on 01978 340030 or auction house SDL Property Auctions on 0800 304 7879 to find out more.
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