Here’s a thing… this is National Maintenance Week – or, as it is known in our house, oh my god, it’s time to fix things week.

Which means one of two options. Either risk derision by Doing It Yourself and wreaking havoc with tools you have no idea how to use or, as seems much more sensible, seek out the talented types from the bottom bar of the Half Moon who actually know how to do joinery, plastering and all those other mystic arts of the proper man.

Did I say two options? There is, of course, a third… buy a bloomin’ house that doesn’t need anything doing to it. Or, as the nice lady from W H Brown put it earlier this week, one you can “just move into and pop the kettle on”.

Like, for instance, a spacious smasher at Doe Park, Clifton Moor, a four-bed detached house which also boasts a useful adjoining annexe/family room/fifth bedroom. This is a handsome-looking home, internally quite beautiful (and yes all the work has been done for you). The space comes from a host of good-sized, nicely presented rooms including a living room and dining room, a study and a superb conservatory. The kitchen is beautifully fitted with a breakfast bar island and a great range of units. Nice south-facing rear garden completes a package for which W H Brown are seeking £289,950.

Just down the road, meanwhile is another beautifully-presented family home ready to move into without need of screwdriver or socket wrench (whatever that is). It is a three-storey modern townhouse in Armstrong Way, Rawcliffe. Highly contemporary throughout, with pretty rooms and lots of style, this one has a brilliant dining kitchen and a glorious dining room on the ground floor, a sitting room and bedroom on the first floor and a master bedroom with en-suite and a third bedroom on the second floor. There is also a garage and pleasant garden. It’s a pretty price, too, on offer with Cundalls at £215,000.

Crossing town we turn up at Knapton Lane in Acomb to find another delightfullydecorated and beautifully maintained modern home, standing on a good-sized plot and set back from a mature tree-lined lane. There is a very modern layout to this property. The extended living room is brilliant and at one end has a superb light and bright area.

Upstairs there are four bedrooms – and the master is a beauty (again very light and bright) with an en-suite shower room. This one’s well above the average – Hudson Moody are looking for £299,950.

Next up is a tidy number in Brecks Lane, Strensall, a modern marvel with five bedrooms spread over three floors (that’s a lot of house for the money – the selling agents Naish are looking for £279,950). Of those five bedrooms, the master has an ensuite shower room – and there is a very nice looking one which sits on high on the top floor. Nice lounge with bay window, separate dining room and a well-fitted kitchen to the ground floor. The kitchen, in fact, is the real wow factor here as it is a delightful, elegant room which cleverly runs seamlessly into an equally stylish conservatory.

National Maintenance Week runs from November 20-27. For useful maintenance tips and other helpful advice visit www.maintainyourbuilding.org.uk