With detached houses selling for an average of £510,143 in Knowle, it’s not surprising that this small, leafy village near Solihull is considered to be one of the premium addresses in the West Midlands.

While there is no doubt that this prosperous area attracts the well-heeled who want to escape the hub-bub of West Midlands towns and cities, there are still plenty of homes on the market that don’t require a millionaire’s bank account.

Apart from the obvious attraction of the charming village centre, with its independent stores, bars and restaurants, Knowle has good schools on its doorstep – including the Arden School – an historic church and it adjoins countryside and has canalside walks.

Solihull town centre is just three miles away while commuters can get to junction 5 of the M42 in a few minutes. Neighbouring Dorridge has a railway station that is on the Chiltern line, providing services between Birmingham Snow Hill, Solihull and London Marylebone.

We’ve rounded up some smart choices if you want to head to the ‘burbs without having to dream of a hefty lottery win.

Cottage, Kenilworth Road

Roll up your sleeves and prepare for some hard work, this one-bedroom grade II listed cottage on the desirable Kenilworth Road is clearly in need of refurbishment.

But it has the potential to be a real gem and the fact that it has planning permission for a two-storey rear extension to form a kitchen and bathroom to the ground floor, second bedroom to the first floor and replacement windows to the front should be an attractive prospect to canny buyers who want to add value.

It currently comprises a lounge with quarry tiled floor, exposed beams and stairs to the first floor, a rear reception room that leads to an inner hall to the kitchen and bathroom. On the first floor there is a double bedroom.

Outside there is a huge garden that has incredible potential – there is no side or rear access to it, however. There’s also a good sized front garden and block paved drive.

Agent - Shipways

Telephone - 01564 775264

Guide price - £230,000

Whateley Hall Close

If you want a property that allows you to unpack your luggage without the need to unbox the DIY tools or paintbrushes, this recently refurbished, extended, four double bedroom property could be the one.

Within walking distance of Knowle High Street, this house comprises hallway, good size lounge, a refitted open plan family room with doors that open on to the rear garden, fitted under stairs storage cupboard and staircase to the first floor.

The well-sized kitchen is fitted with a range of gloss white wall and base kitchen units, fitted breakfast bar, integrated double oven, ceramic hob and dishwasher. A separate utility has gloss white wall and base units, stainless steel bowl and half sink/drainer, and plumbing for washing machine.

The ground floor also has a useful wet room with wall-mounted shower, low level wc, and pedestal hand wash basin.

On the first floor the generous master bedroom suite has a window to the side and front and fitted walk-in wardrobe. The en-suite shower room has double shower cubicle with fitted shower over, low level wc, and pedestal hand wash basin. There are a further three bedrooms and a family bathroom with bath with fitted shower over, extendable glass shower screen, pedestal hand wash basin, and low level wc.

Outside there is a pleasant garden that is mainly lawn with flower beds, timber decking patio area and block paved pathway.

Agent - Clarks Residential

Telephone - 01564 773200

Guide price - £495,000

43 Kixley Lane

It looks like a fairly plain semi-detached house from the outside but inside there is a real surprise. This three bedroom “cottage style” property has a living room with display shelving, TV plinth, electric fire, illuminated display cabinets and spotlighting.

A door leads to an impressive open plan dining/living/breakfast kitchen. There’s a study area with built-in desk and drawers, a deep bay with French doors overlooking the rear garden and opening to the terrace. The kitchen is fitted with a range of white gloss kitchen units and has a four-ring gas hob, built-in oven below, integrated dishwasher and fridge freezer. There’s also a separate laundry utility/cloakroom with space and plumbing for a dishwasher and tumble dryer and an understairs wc.

Upstairs there are three bedrooms – the main is well sized and has a deep bay window that overlooks the rear garden, built-in wardrobes and a corner en suite shower room.

The second bedroom is a double with bed recess, shelf, storage cupboards above, double built-in wardrobe unit to the side, while the third and smallest bedroom has built-in wardrobe units and a built-in bed over the stairs.

There is also a modern shower room with large walk-in shower cubicle with thermostatic rainhead shower with handheld attachment, vanity unit with semi recessed hand basin, wc, towel rail and skylight.

The rear garden – with views over school playing fields – has a full-width paved patio, a covered pergola, a raised decked patio and a long lawned garden with fenced boundaries and timber shed.

At the front there is a double width block paved drive and external security floodlight.

Agent - Hunters

Telephone - 01564 770707

Guide price - £399,950

14 Lightwood Close

This is another immaculate home that has been decorated to a high standard – and it’s just over the average asking price for a detached in the area. It has four bedrooms, plus a recently refitted kitchen.

On the ground floor is a good sized study, large, dual aspect sitting room with dining room off and double doors opening out into a garden room.

The kitchen has wall and base units with integrated appliances and it leads to a utility with door to the integral double garage with electric up and over door.

On the first floor there is a master bedroom with en suite, three further bedrooms and a family bathroom.

Total living accommodation, including garage, is 1896 sq ft.

The large driveway can accommodate several cars and there is a lawn fore garden. The rear garden has mature herbaceous borders, trees, lawn, and barbeque patio area.

Agent - Knight Frank

Telephone - 01789 297735

Guide price - £525,000