Take five

TAKE FIVE FOR €400,000:DNG Thomas Reid Auctioneers is seeking €400,000 for a new three bedroom house at Ballymabin, Dunmore East, Co Waterford with sea views. EMMA CULLINANfinds properties at a similar price in France, Portugal, Barbados and Italy

France Charente

This gorgeous listed building has been restored but its interior needs doing. The 350 sq m (3,767sq ft) house comes with an annex (with stable and tower), outbuildings and garage plus more than 1.5 acres (0.6 hectares). On the ground floor is an 80 sq m (861 sq ft) room that could be a kitchen/dining area. On the first floor is an 80 sq m (861 sq ft) space plus mezzanine. It is south of Poitiers, between Ruffec and Angouleme, which is 35 minutes away.

Price: €397,500

Agent: Latitudes.co.uk

Italy Tuscany

The beautiful ancient town of Volterra is 3km from this two-bed farmhouse. The property comprises a two-storey building, 30sq m (323sq ft) woodshed and a 41sq m (441sq ft) old mill. The 110sq m (1,184sq ft) house comprises a kitchen, living room, two bedrooms and bathroom on the first floor. The floor below has vaulted ceilings currently used for storage. The property is surrounded by town land with fish pond, olive grove and other fruit trees.

Price: €390,000

Agent: realpointitaly.com, 0044-845331-2812

Portugal Algarve

Amendoeira Golf Resort is in the historic Silves region, about 10km inland, which has seen the Romans and Moors pass by and occupy. The apartments and villas in the Amendoeira Golf Resort are of a Moorish design, with arches and courtyards. Amenities include a nine-hole, par-three golf course, six tennis courts, football pitches, playground, café, bar, restaurant and swimming pool. It is just over half an hour from Faro airport.

Price: €395,000 for freehold, two-bed apartment Agent: knightfrank.com, 0044-207861-1097

Caribbean Barbados

This two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment sits in tropical gardens overlooking the beach at Mullins, just south of the historic Speightstown on the north-west coast of the island. The 133sq m (1,431sq ft) freehold apartment is on the first floor and has an open-plan living area with kitchen, living and dining areas that lead on to a balcony with garden views. There’s also a roof terrace and swimming pool.

Price: $545,000 (€413,267)

Agent: knightfrank.com, 0044-207861-1097