Surprise, surprise was the headline on the last property focus as we took a look at homes that had that little bit extra.

And that affable chap Scott Anscomb was soon on the phone expressing surprise of his own – that we had overlooked a very smart property he has on the books at Your Move Anscombs.

It’s in Oak Tree Way, Strensall, and, says Scott, has the definite plus factor. “Don’t be deceived by the cottage-style frontage,” his brochure reads, “as it hides a superb family house with wonderfully bright and spacious family living areas with big windows overlooking the south-facing rear garden.”

So, that’s our job done then… Well, not quite. Because, while agreeing with Scott, we need to tell you a little more.

To begin with, there is a brilliant dining room at the back of the house which has lots of space into a bay window which, again the brochure tells us, “acts as the hub of the house and flows neatly into the kitchen/ breakfast room”. That kitchen, by no means incidentally, is very nicely fitted and includes a breakfast bar and has windows to three sides.

The big through lounge (22ft-plus long) is also a delight with patio doors to an outside decking area and very pleasant gardens.

And there’s more… as well as a utility room and downstairs cloakroom there is a further family room on the ground floor.

Upstairs there are four bedrooms, the master having an en-suite shower room, and a family bathroom.

With that south-facing rear garden and a double garage, Scott believes that, at £385,000, this is a house well worth a second look.

As, thanks to Scott’s prompting, we have gone back to the theme of houses with that little bit extra we should definitely give a mention to Dovecote House on York Road, near Green Hammerton. “Beautifully presented throughout,” the agents Reeds Rains say – and, once more, we have to agree. We particularly liked the sun room and dining area to the back of the house, a splendid space with exposed wooden beams and big windows overlooking attractive gardens. A smart kitchen, a delightful sitting room with windows to front and side and a cloakroom complete the ground floor. Upstairs there is a master bedroom with a luxury en-suite shower room and two further bedrooms and a house bathroom.

The delightful extra here, however, comes in the shape of a splendid dovecote after which, obviously, the house is named. It dates back to 1777 and while the original farmhouse to which it belonged has long since disappeared the dovecote has survived and still sits proudly in an area which several archaeological digs have revealed was the site of a Roman encampment.

Today, the dovecote is in use as an office and has telephone points, power and light and windows to two sides. As a home worker, one can only sigh in envy… Reeds Rains are asking for offers in the region of £325,00 for this impressive country house.

Finally, another terrific home that demands, as they say, internal inspection. It’s a handsome-looking and extended semi-detached in Greencliffe Drive, Clifton Green.

The bare bone details are enticing enough, with three bedrooms, three bathrooms, two reception rooms and gardens on offer.

What you really need to know, however, is that this home, internally, is superb.

Highly contemporary and beautifully styled, it’s up to show home standard. The kitchen/dining room is a gem with beautiful modern units and smartly tiled floors and doors out to the rear garden – which has been landscaped for ease of maintenance and provides an attractive sitting area.

And there is so much on offer. The ground floor has a 24ft living room leading through to that 19ft dining area; there’s a utility room and a useful study.

Upstairs, one of the bedrooms has a dressing room and shower room and another bedroom has an en-suite while the third bedroom is next to a superb family bathroom.

Over the last three years the present owners have invested a lot of time, thought (and money) into refurbishing this house to a high standard and the agents, Ashtons, describe it as “probably the best example of its type currently on the market”.

Once again, we wouldn’t like to disagree. Ashtons are looking for £349,950.