Half a million pounds is an enviable house-hunting budget, but just what can you get for your money around Suffolk and into Essex? Well, a townhouse in Ipswich or a five-bedroom detached home in Colchester.

East Anglian Daily Times: The lounge of the three-bedroom town house at Belgrove Place, Ipswich, available from Fenn Wright. Picture: FENN WRIGHTThe lounge of the three-bedroom town house at Belgrove Place, Ipswich, available from Fenn Wright. Picture: FENN WRIGHT (Image: Fenn Wright)

Three-bedroom townhouse, Belgrove Place, Ipswich - guide price £475,000: Full of period charm, this stunning three-storey property in East Ipswich is a brand new conversion. It is part of the restoration of the Victorian buildings of St Clements Hospital by Lanswood Developments. It has a blend of original and contemporary features, including high ceilings, refurbished Victorian radiators and mainly modern sliding sash windows. The property has three bedrooms, including a master bedroom with a dressing room and en-suite bathroom, It also has an open-plan family room with a feature bay window, including kitchen and dining room with integrated Siemens appliances, and a utility room. There is a 150ft south-facing rear garden and parking. For more information, call Fenn Wright in Ipswich on 01473 232700.

East Anglian Daily Times: This house in The Pines, Old Felixstowe, has a guide price of £510,000 from Banham Dark Estates. Picture: BANHAM DARK ESTATESThis house in The Pines, Old Felixstowe, has a guide price of £510,000 from Banham Dark Estates. Picture: BANHAM DARK ESTATES (Image: BANHAM DARK ESTATES)

East Anglian Daily Times: This cottage in Woolpit is on the market from Fine & Country. Picture: FINE & COUNTRYThis cottage in Woolpit is on the market from Fine & Country. Picture: FINE & COUNTRY (Image: FINE & COUNTRY)

Three-bedroom detached house, The Pines, Old Felixstowe - guide price £510,000: This unique home is located in a cul-de-sac, with sea views to the rear and close to Felixstowe Golf Club. Upstairs there are three bedrooms, including a master bedroom with an en-suite shower cubicle, as well as a bathroom and loft room. The accommodation downstairs includes a lounge and separate dining room, a kitchen/breakfast room, spacious reception hall with a walk-in cloaks cupboard and a double-glazed conservatory. It also has good-sized, well-maintained gardens, a garage and parking for several vehicles. The property is available from Banham Dark in Felixstowe. For more details, call 01394 272728.

East Anglian Daily Times: The Warwick house type in Forest View, Colchester, from Bellway Homes. Picture: BELLWAY HOMESThe Warwick house type in Forest View, Colchester, from Bellway Homes. Picture: BELLWAY HOMES (Image: Bellway Homes)

East Anglian Daily Times: This five-bedroom detached house in Ipswich is available from Town & Village Properties. Picture: TOWN & VILLAGE PROPERTIESThis five-bedroom detached house in Ipswich is available from Town & Village Properties. Picture: TOWN & VILLAGE PROPERTIES (Image: TOWN & VILLAGE PROPERTIES)

Three-bedroom cottage, Woolpit - offers over £500,000: If you’re looking for a period property, this lovely Grade II listed cottage will appeal. Dating from the 16th century, it is in a quiet lane in the village centre and still has a host of original features, as well as accompanying documentation. The dining room has an extension with a vaulted ceiling and mullion windows, while the living room includes an inglenook fireplace and original bread oven. There is also a garden room/conservatory and utility room. The varied garden includes an orchard and there is a garage and a large driveway. To find out more, call Fine & Country in Bury St Edmunds on 01284 718822.

East Anglian Daily Times: This property in Great Barton is on the market from Fine & Country. Picture: FINE & COUNTRYThis property in Great Barton is on the market from Fine & Country. Picture: FINE & COUNTRY (Image: FINE & COUNTRY)

Five-bedroom detached house, Forest View, Colchester - prices from £494,995: Families and commuters will be attracted by the Forest View development at Kingswood Heath, which is three miles out of the town centre and within easy reach of both the A12 and the train station. Included in the development is the Warwick, a design which extends over three floors. This style of house includes separate living and dining rooms and an open-plan kitchen/breakfast area, The master bedroom also has an en-suite. For more details, contact Bellway Homes on 01206 853629.

Five-Bedroom detached house, Brackenbury Close, Ipswich - guide price £490,000: In the north of Ipswich, this attractive house has an elevated position, offering elevated views over the town. The main home has four bedrooms, together with a shower room and bathroom, and there is also a self-contained studio annexe with an additional bedroom. An energy-saving feature is photovoltaic panels, as well as gas central heating to the main residence and electric heating to the annexe. The downstairs rooms include a living room, dining room and kitchen/breakfast room, The property has an enclosed garden and parking. It is on the market with Town & Village Properties in Needham Market. For more details, call 01449 722003.

Four/five-bedroom detached house, Great Barton, near Bury St Edmunds - offers over £475,000: This house is in a sought-after village. Outside, there is plenty of off-road parking and an attractive private garden including raised decking, ideal for sitting and relaxing outside. There is an open-plan living/kitchen area giving lots of space for a family, with a breakfast bar and utility room. Upstairs, there are three double bedrooms, including a master bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, while downstairs there is a study and family room which could be used as additional bedrooms. The property is on the market with Fine & Country in Bury St Edmunds. For details, call them on 01284 718822.