For anyone with a budget of £1m there's a choice of gorgeous homes to choose from within a five-mile radius of the city of Swansea, from characterful conversions to homes with incredible views. Choices, choices and what a wonderful dilemma to have!
The rest of us will have to be content with having a good nose around the homes and dream about our favourite.
1. Sketty
What: The name of the property is The Old Cow Shed but there's not a four-legged Fresia in site.
The stone building promises much character from the outside, using locally sourced Blue Pennant Stone and larch cladding, and the inside certainly delivers too.
Exposed honey-toned beams are a star attraction and are prevalent throughout, being supplied by the Welsh Oak Company.
Wood flooring brings that warmth under foot visually but also via the underfloor heating and makes the home instantly feel welcoming as well as super stylsh.
The ground floor has been designed around a central open-plan living area that has double height floor-to-ceiling windows and bi-fold doors opening out into the garden.
Amazing light flooding in and lovely garden views looking out.
This space is surrounded by a galleried landing and is partially separated from the dining room by a central log burner, and here's the clever part, the burner can be enjoyed by the dining area on the other side too.
This dining area is also a light and airy space, with double doors out on to one of numerous patio areas. Again, the oak beams are the star feature and provide visual continuity throughout the ground floor.
The space then flows into the kitchen zone, separated only by the occasional wall beam, zoning the area but allowing it to also feel connected to the dining room and main lounge.
And what a kitchen it is; hand-crafted country style shaker units in Farrow and Ball heritage colour 'Oxford Stone' are complemented by a traditional double Belfast sink, granite work surfaces and the expected country kitchen Aga.
The ground floor is so spacious that kitchen has its own lounge area, a perfect socialising spot to chat to the cook or open the doors and enjoy the garden view beyond.
There's a separate sitting room that runs the width of the property - yet more sociable space to choose from, including a covered patio area off the kitchen.
Upstairs in the six-bedroom property, the truly tasteful style continues, with three rooms currently used as bedrooms, plus one used as a gym and one is a study.
In fact, the gym is part of the master-suite that also has an ensuite, walk-in wardrobe and mini-gym.
Of course, such is the versatility of this home, that this room could have a multiple of uses including as a nursery, dressing room or the best walk-in shoe storage room ever.
Outside, the socialising continues with many areas to relax and soak in the rural views, but the hub of the party is likely to be the sunny patio complete with outdoor fireplace.
If (or when) rain makes an unwelcome appearance, the unusual covered patio with mini-bar will be the most popular place to be.
How much: £1.1m
How: Call Fine & Country Swansea on 01792 367301 for further details
2. Mayals
What: This five-bedroom, three-storey detached house is a handsome Georgian-style home that oozes high-end quality. From the impressive pillared entrance to the bespoke Sigma kitchen, it's a dream pad for someone who enjoys a touch of luxury.
Maybe a new owner's favourite spot to linger will be the large, central jacuzzi bath in the substantial master-suite ensuite, or maybe relaxing on a sofa in the master bedroom itself, listening to music via the ceiling speakers controlled by an integrated music pad.
The lucky occupant can even enjoy a partial sea-view too.
But if a new owner can prize themselves away from chilling out in the master-suite, there's plenty more to explore in this home.
On the ground floor, the rooms are spacious and offer numerous places to socialise or enjoy some peace and quiet.
The massive lounge runs the width of the property and has large, Georgian-style windows at one end and French doors out into the garden at the other.
The fireplace provides a focal point for chatting, there's an integrated music system and the lit ceiling insert adds interest and breaks up the expanse of ceiling - a nice interior design touch.
For a more cosy chat, there's a separate sitting room with modern fireplace and two large windows allowing light to flood into the space.
The dining room at the rear of the property can seat at least 10 people, for large family gatherings and hosting impressive dinner parties under a sparkling chandelier.
Of course, the wonderful cuisine has to be constructed somewhere and the spacious kitchen/breakfast room is where the culinary magic will occur. Luckily the current owners have installed a Leisure Cook Master Range five ring burner and double oven, so there's no excuse for the new owner to limit their menu to beans on toast or a boiled egg.
The stylish kitchen can help create the magic, at least visually, with top of the range Sigma units, Canadian slate flooring and granite worktops. The music system is in this room too, so the new owner can sing while making the supper.
On the first floor, via the galleried landing, there are four bedrooms and a family bathroom. One of these bedrooms is ensuite and they all have room for a double bed.
And then up to the master-suite which occupies the whole of the second floor and probably most of the new owner's time, because who wouldn't want to relax in luxury?
How much: £1.05m
How: Call Fine & Country Swansea on 01792 367301 for further details
3. Near Neath
What: As one of the most expensive homes currently for sale in the area, can this house meet expectations?
Well, it's got a massive kitchen/diner, a humongous master-suite with huge elevated hot tub with rural views, a games room big enough for a full size snooker table and grand piano, and somewhere for the horses.
On the vast ground floor a visitor is probably instantly impressed by the entrance hall that is so large it is actually a spacious sitting area, with comfy sofas nestled around a stone chimney breast and log burner.
The galleried upper floor landing wraps around this double-height area, which then leads off into the reception rooms. Great and rather grand start to the property.
The dining room is the size for a banquet and the high-end quality for a king and all his entourage and flows into the kitchen/breakfast room.
The kitchen is at the heart of the home, again spacious and again ensuring there is space to gather and be sociable, with ample space for dining and lounging on a squishy sofa.
The country-style bespoke oak kitchen reinforces the homes rural location and gives almost as much warmth to the room as the 'must-have' Aga.
As expected in a house in this price bracket, the kitchen boasts a range of integrated appliances including a Neff coffee machine, very handy on a sleepy Monday morning.
The dining room then flows in the other direction into the games room; yes this property has two rooms dedicated to fun, this games room and the separate 'snooker and music room'.
This hub of fun games room has lovely countryside views but it's unlikely they are given much attention as there's so much to do inside.
Blackout shutters, electric descending cinema screen and projector create a movie room and a pool table offers an alternative to the snooker table in the other room. An integrated BOSE sound system means a new owner can enjoy potting pool balls in time to the music.
So, the other games room is bigger than the whole floor-plan of a semi-detached home - it's over 8 by 6 metres in size! It comfortably accommodates a full size snooker table and a grand piano with room to spare.
Also on the ground floor is a separate living room, study and utility room.
On the first floor, all accessed off the galleried landing, are five bedrooms two of which are ensuite, a family bathroom, plus the stunning master-suite.
Here the new owner will feel like the King or Queen, as they survey their 12 acres of land outside from the substantial, elevated spa jacuzzi.
This semi-open plan bedroom easily fits a huge four-poster bed and also has its own balcony to survey the land.
From here they will see that the horses have a luxury lifestyle too, with stables, paddocks, an established horse school and planning permission to build an additional six horse stable block.
How much: Offers over £1,299,950
How: Call Fine & Country Swansea on 01792 367301 for further details about this home called Ty Llwyd Newydd
4. Mayals
What: Brynau brings a little corner of history to the £1m Swansea property market.
Grade II listed and dating back to 1795, this characterful home was once part of the Clyne Estate and just a stroll from the peaceful Clyne Gardens.
The intriguing L-shaped homes is a pretty mix of stone and white-washed external render and inside flows from room to room via a main hallway.
Each room is tastefully decorated in muted tones that highlight and enhance original features such as elegant fireplaces and large windows.
The entrance hall suggests instantly the charm of the property, being greeted by a staircase with beautifully carved spindles and newel post.
The main lounge has a generous bay with full-length windows that overlooks the garden and entices any occupant to wander away from the fireplace and admire the view.
The wood flooring and original coving give this room a sense of understated grandeur.
The sitting room next door is a peaceful room, with a fireplace featuring a wood burning stove.
A room for hushed chatter, reading and enjoying music maybe, as the interior design in pale yellow envelopes the occupants in calmness.
Along the hallway there is a study and a snug, which as the name suggests is the perfect spot to snuggle up in front of the wood burning stove during the cold winter evenings.
The kitchen is accessed through this welcoming snug and is spacious enough to include a sofa and a breakfast table, so although it is located at the end of the hallway, it certainly feels like it is the heart of the home, the hub of activities and a place where family members congregate to catch up with news and gossip whilst the supper continues to cook.
There is a separate dining room for more formal moments, plus a cloakroom and garage to complete this ground floor accommodation.
Upstairs, the house has six bedrooms and a family bathroom. One of these is an elegant master-suite that has an appealing archway in the corner that leads to a dedicated dressing room that then leads to the stylish en-suite bathroom.
The relaxed atmosphere of the house spills out into the surrounding private lawned gardens, featuring pretty stone walling and a sunny patio area, perfect for a spot of al fresco dining and dozing off on a comfy lounger, contemplating how lovely this home is and how lucky the new owner will be.
How much: £1.05m
How: Call the Mumbles branch of Dawsons to find out more on 01792 367301
5. Mumbles Village
What: There's so much space on offer within this well located Mumbles house that it even incorporates a garden apartment.
Not a pokey two room basement studio but a lower ground floor that incorporates two bedrooms, a galley kitchen, lounge and shower room and has its own separate, striking blue front door.
Oh yes, and what the estate agent is calling an orangery and garden studio. But more of this area later.
The main imposing house was built around 1880 and has three floors that offer space, space, and more space.
The hallway oozes character boasting original floorboards and pretty etched glass internal doors, with a grand, sweeping staircase that rises through the centre of the house.
The ground floor is split into three main rooms and all have bundles of pleasing features. The main lounge is so spacious one of its bay windows easily accommodates a dedicated window seat, taking in views of the Mumbles rooftops and beautiful blue sea beyond.
There's an ornate fireplace to admire and the original floorboards also make a claim for attention in this light and grand room.
The exposed boards are a continuous and charming feature within the dining room too, a cosier room with rich, warm walls and a feature fireplace, although there's still ample room to sit at least eight people around the dining table.
The kitchen is an elegant heritage style, featuring bespoke units and carpentry in moss green, complemented by brass handles. There are all the integrated appliances a new owner would expect in a quality kitchen from top brands such as Miele, plus a Belfast sink and granite work surfaces.
Upstairs, there are two floors of bedrooms and bathrooms, but how will the new owner choose the master bedroom (that is, bags the best one before the kids do!).
They are all a good size, one has a bay window with sea views, one has an en-suite, one has an attached dressing room, one is the largest.
Maybe a great place to ponder the bedroom choice is the orangery or the garden study, both with pretty views over the garden and located on lower ground floor.
The orangery opens out into the garden and is constructed in an Edwardian style to pay homage to the age of the house.
From here, there is access into the garden studio which has an impressive vaulted ceiling and full-width bi-fold doors onto a terrace overlooking the garden.
But the property doesn't stop surprising a potential buyer in this room, as there's still a basement cellar to explore and a secret walled garden to discover.
This perod home packed full of surprises is the property that just keeps on giving, including being situated in the heart of Mumbles and walking distance to the beach.
How much: Offers in the region of £1m
How: Contact Simpsons Estate Agent on 01792 361144
