The houses we most want to live in right now

Most viewed property
Most viewed property

The era of property porn has returned. For months the closest we have got to browsing beautiful homes of our dreams has been clicking on typical family properties in unremarkable commuter towns that are way beyond our budget.

Now, however, figures from Zoopla have revealed that we're ready to dream big again.

See also: Seven houses that are stars of print and screen



See also: Converted courthouse goes up for sale



The properties catching our eye right now have flash accessories and gadgets galore. Oddly, two of the top seven are actually in Guildford - which definitely qualifies as a pretty unremarkable commuter town. However, one of them at least has a hidden secret well worth seeing.

1. The whole wish list in St Albans
This stunning 7-bedroom new build costs £6 million, and has everything on every possible wish list - from the enormous family kitchen with huge bi-fold doors, to the underground car park and lift, professional cinema room, cocktail room, yoga studio and juice bar. Our capacity to dream made this the most viewed home on Zoopla in the past month.

Gadget home
Gadget home



2. Gadgets in galore in West Yorkshire
This mansion is the ultimate masterpiece for gadget fans. For just £2.25 million you get a home where almost everything (from the blinds to the audio visual system) can be activated from your smartphone from anywhere in the world. Add in the wine cellar, champagne bar, games room, pool, gym, and master bedroom with en-suite and dressing room, and there's something for everyone.

Swansea fixer-upper
Swansea fixer-upper



3. Astonishing ruin for renovation
This Swansea property is on the market for £149,950, and is a dream renovation. At the moment it has been empty for a number of years, and looks like a dilapidated haunted mansion, but its future is up to you. It has pre application planning for up to 19 flats, but you could always turn it into a dream 15-bedroom property. Don't underestimate the job though. The building is in such a bad way that it's not even safe to view.

Chalet in Surrey
Chalet in Surrey


4. Unexpected chalet by the Thames
This astonishing four-bedroom chalet style villa isn't nestled in the Swiss countryside, it's in East Molesey in Surrey, on the banks of the river Thames. Inside things get even more unusual, with some frankly exotic styling, and an internal beach. The price isn't advertised, but you can expect to have to dig deep.

Semi-rural house in M25
Semi-rural house in M25

5. Countryside in commuter belt
This three-bedroom semi-detached house in Carshalton, Surrey offers countryside living, within the M25, Of course you'll pay handsomely for it - at £710,000. However, for that you'll get a third of an acre at the end of a quiet private lane.

Guildford family home
Guildford family home



6. Six beds in Surrey for £2 million
At first glance it's hard to see why so many people are desperately inspired by this large modern family home in Guildford. It could be the views over the town, but it's hard to get very excited about a panoramic vista of Guildford. It's possibly something to do with the fact that to have a perfectly nice big house in this area you'd need to spend £2 million.

wine cellar wonder
wine cellar wonder

7. Wine cellar wonder
This six bedroom house in Guildford is a more unusual Arts and Crafts style, and a more painful £4.65 million. However, the really striking thing about this home is that among the unbelievably high spec interiors is a spiral wine cellar set into the floor of the kitchen.

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