In the winter months, sunshine daydreaming is common - but how easily could you turn hopes of owning a property abroad into real life? Alison Jones takes a look at what you can get for your money in comparison with Birmingham.

French Chateau

Get away from it all in a French chateau (or part of one) at Seineet-Marne in Isle-de-France, 45 minutes outside Paris, which comes with its own prisons. The present Chateau was built by a family of French noblesse after they bought the estate in the 18th century.

It has now been divided up and includes a three-storey, three-bedroom maisonette.

Apart from living like characters in Les Liaisons Dangereuses (but without all the duplicity and seduction), buyers can enjoy 40 acres of parkland gardens. Common property includes a heated swimming pool, tennis court, chapel, pigeon house and the prisons (presumably retired from use).

Price: €241,000 or £182,378

For sale through Real Estatement, Amsterdam, on Rightmove: 03339 391216.

* In Birmingham

Modern three-bedroom semi in Alvechurch Road, near Northfield and Longbridge train stations.
Modern three-bedroom semi in Alvechurch Road, near Northfield and Longbridge train stations.

The same money will get you a modern three-bedroom semi in Alvechurch Road that is handy for Northfield and Longbridge train stations.

It comes with a garden and a parking space. But no prison.

Price: £182,500

For sale through Purple Bricks on Rightmove: 0121 396 0834.

Malaga

Semi-detached villa in Alhaurín el Grande in Malaga.
Semi-detached villa in Alhaurín el Grande in Malaga.

There is a sun drenched swimming pool at this semi-detached villa in Alhaurín el Grande in Malaga.

And its eight-seater cinema would be brilliant when the sun isn’t shining – what the Spanish like to call night time. There are fantastic views of mountains while on the top floor of the four-bedroom home, with a Jacuzzi perfect for just relaxing in.

Price: €290,000 or £219,455

For sale through Grapevine Properties, Malaga, on Rightmove: 03339 395983.

* In Birmingham

Three-bedroom end terrace in Poplar Road, Edgbaston.
Three-bedroom end terrace in Poplar Road, Edgbaston.

End terrace in Poplar Road, Edgbaston.

Three bedrooms and two reception rooms, it is handy for the watery delights of Edgbaston reservoir.

Price: £219,950

For sale through Oulsnam on Rightmove: 0121 396 0601.

New Zealand

Four-bedroom home in Bastia Hill, near Wanganui, New Zealand.
Four-bedroom home in Bastia Hill, near Wanganui, New Zealand.

Located in Bastia Hill, near Wanganui, New Zealand, this is a little further to go for a holiday home.

But just look at what you can get for a little over £150,000.

Not only are there four bedrooms and open plan living spaces, but also a covered deck for all year round entertaining.

And you can go looking for hobbits on the weekends.

Price: $347,000 or £153,148

For sale through LJ Hooker Corporation Limited, Wanganui on Rightmove: 0064 6 349 0883.

* In Birmingham

Mid terraced modern townhouse in Yardley Wood Road, Moseley.
Mid terraced modern townhouse in Yardley Wood Road, Moseley.

No entertainment deck in this mid terraced modern townhouse, but located in Yardley Wood Road, Moseley, it is close to where the hobbits were dreamt up.

JRR Tolkien famously grew up in the area and parts of Moseley fuelled his imagination when he was writing The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings.

Price: £154,500

For sale through Oulsnam on Rightmove: 0121 396 0602.

Corfu

Three-bedroom villa in the hillsides of Barbati in Corfu, it looks out across the north east coastline (known as the Corfiot Riviera) of the Greek island.
Three-bedroom villa in the hillsides of Barbati in Corfu, it looks out across the north east coastline (known as the Corfiot Riviera) of the Greek island.

Just drink in the views at this villa in Corfu.

The three-bedroom home is in the hillsides of Barbati and looks out across the north east coastline (known as the Corfiot Riviera) of the Greek island.

It has its own private swimming pool and a roof garden, but is also just five minutes from Barbati beach.

Handily, it just been reduced.

Price: €265,000 or £200,536

For sale through A Property in Greece.com on Rightmove: 020 8302 6616.

* In Birmingham

The two-bedroom ground floor in an Art Deco mansion block in Hagley Road, Edgbaston.
The two-bedroom ground floor in an Art Deco mansion block in Hagley Road, Edgbaston.

In Edgbaston, the same price will buy you a mansion...style apartment.

The two-bedroom ground floor flat is in a block filled with Art Deco features in Hagley Road.

Price: £200,000

For sale through Shipways. Rightmove: 0121 396 0435.

Bulgaria

Bulgaria - newly built five-bedroom detached is in the town of Debelets, 5km from Veliko Tarnovo.
Bulgaria - newly built five-bedroom detached is in the town of Debelets, 5km from Veliko Tarnovo.

A four-storey house with panoramic view and a swimming pool for less than £150,000?

Yes, if you are buying in Bulgaria.

This newly built five-bedroom detached is in the town of Debelets, 5km from Veliko Tarnovo.

It even has a tavern on the ground floor and outside is a BBQ area, perfect for firing up the grill between dips.

Price: €188,967 or £143,000

For sale through Century Homes, Veliko Tarnovo on Rightmove: 03339 395387.

* In Birmingham

Studio flat in Newhall Street, Birmingham City Centre.
Studio flat in Newhall Street, Birmingham City Centre.

This studio apartment puts you right in the thick of it in the city centre.

Located in Newhall Street, it is handy for someone working in the financial sector.

A crash pad in town for weekdays, perhaps.

Price: £143,000

For sale through Connells on Rightmove: 0121 396 0389.