An old pal was looking a bit down in the dumps this week. The words miserable, as and sin came to mind… The odd thing is I knew exactly how he felt. Because, like him, I am a fan of Middlesbrough Football Club.

(For those who don’t know anything about footy, that’s something like being the man who bought that winning £130 million Euro Lottery ticket and now can’t find it anywhere.) So, what’s this got to do with property, you might well ask. Simple, to cheer him up I said I would do him a favour and feature his daughter’s house for sale… I know, I know, pure favouritism, but then surrounded as we are by Leeds fans (October 16, Middlesbrough 1, Leeds United 2) we Boro fans need to stick together. And besides which it did give me a theme for this week’s column – houses under £200,000 and representing good value for money.

Which this superbly-presented two-bedroomed semi-detached in Langsett Grove certainly provides. Handily placed for the Clifton Moor shopping centre and commuting routes in and out of York, it’s a super example of its kind.

It’s beautifully presented (unlike me and her father, my pal’s daughter obviously has good taste), with a show home standard lounge with a centrepiece electric fire housed in a marble and wood surround and a nicely fitted kitchen diner with laminate flooring, a smart range of base and wall units and matching work surfaces and a handy breakfast bar.

Upstairs there are two decent-sized bedrooms and a modern bathroom. The real bonus here is a large, private rear garden with a big lawn, patio area, garden shed, greenhouse and with well stocked shrubberies – all framed by mature trees. “Must be viewed to be appreciated”, is how selling agents Hunters describe a smashing house, valued at £167,500.

Now for a few other examples of smart, value-for-money homes… Hazelnut Grove, Clifton An intriguing and unusual mews-style stable conversion with a walled rear garden and allocated parking space. Lots of character on show here, including exposed beams and a feature exposed Inglenook-style brick fireplace.

On the ground floor there is a good-sized living room, a nicely-fitted kitchen, bathroom and main bedroom. On the first floor there is a second bedroom/study (again with feature exposed dark wood beams). Different and individual, it is marketed by Ashtons at a guide price of £169,950.

Garth Terrace, Burton Stone Lane A fully modernised and impressive Victorian terrace house within walking distance of the city centre and district hospital, this is an impressive home for the money. It has an open plan living/dining room, a modern fitted kitchen and contemporary bathroom, along with three double bedrooms and courtyard garden. Stephensons is asking for £169,950.

Horner Street, off Burton Stone Lane Another period terrace house, this one an end of row. Highlights here include a very smart-looking, modern open plan living room/dining area which is presented very nicely indeed.

It has a fitted kitchen, two double bedrooms and house bathroom and has, as an added bonus, a south-facing courtyard.

It is priced at £139,950 by William H Brown.

Station Square, Strensall A pretty modern millie, this is a mews-style mid-townhouse in a popular spot in a sought-after village. Here there is a sitting/dining room with doors out to the garden, a well-fitted kitchen with laminate flooring and a good range of base and wall units, upstairs there are two bedrooms and a smart house bathroom.

This one also has gardens to front and back – with the latter being a private, paved spot. It is offered by Reeds Rains at a guide price of £152,000.


Ideal homes for first-time buyers

As we are talking this week about value-for-money properties it’s a good time to highlight an open weekend at a new development aimed at first-time buyers.

The Rise, a collection of smart yet affordable apartments on Hebden Rise, Acomb, is potentially an ideal spot for those looking to leap on to the property ladder.

There are 23 properties in total, mostly two-bedroom flats priced at £129,950 with a three-bedroomed apartment at £139,950.

The open day takes place on Saturday, between 10am and noon, when there is the chance to have a look at a “show apartment” and judge what is on offer.

We had a sneak preview last week and were impressed by the quality of the apartments, which have contemporary open plan living/dining/kitchen areas with French doors and Juliet balconies, en-suites to both bedrooms and a surprisingly good spec for the money.

The flats each have allocated parking spaces inside a gated, secure courtyard area.

They are being marketed by Reeds Rains and for further details you should contact the agent’s Acomb office on 01904 782621.

We will be featuring the apartments in more detail in the New Homes supplement on October 28.