Whether you're house hunting, putting your property up for sale or happily settled in your forever home, we all love having a nose at what's on the market.
Keeping an eye on what's up for sale in your area or fantasizing about dream homes that are well out of your price range is a pretty standard pass time.
Throughout the course of the year, the ECHO has shared pictures inside some of the most impressive properties on the market across the region.
Property websites Zoopla and RightMove have offered us a glimpse inside luxury homes, outlandishly designed mansions and some seriously plush pads.
While many of us can only dream of calling these dream properties 'home', there's no harm in fantasizing about what it would be like.
With the year coming to an end and many of us making resolutions for new beginnings in 2020, we decided to take a look back at some reader favourites.
These properties represent the most popular properties we've reported on in 2019 that are still on the market.
Who knows, a lottery win over the festive season could even see you putting down roots in one of these dream homes.
The mansion with its own 'party room', gym and Vegas style bar - £995,000
This luxury mansion is on the market in Birkdale - and it comes complete with its own private gym and glitzy Vegas-style bar.
Nestled on Westbourne Road , this plush pad is on the market with Chris Tinsley for a whopping £995,000.
The exclusive road in Southport's sought-after suburb of Birkdale is one of the most desirable postcodes in the area, with a number of impressive properties lining the streets.
Photos uploaded to Zoopla offer a glimpse inside this sprawling five bedroom property and its many luxury features.
Approached by double wrought iron remote control gates, this house has a long drive and plenty of room for parking a fleet of vehicles.
Spread over four floors, the detached property boasts a cinema room and gym, with the master suite having a walk-in wardrobe, dressing room and ensuite.
Perhaps the most impressive features of this luxury home are set out on the lower ground floor, which has a cinema 'party' room, gym and wet room.
The bar is fitted out with granite surfaces, glass shelving and three drinks coolers, with inset spotlighting to give it the feel of a nightclub.
There is also the unusual feature of a concealed smoke and lighting system plus fitted speakers for the perfect party night.
The cinema room features a drop down projector perfect for movie nights.
To view the full story featuring this property, click or tap here.
The ski lodge style mega mansion that's back on the market again - £1,395,000
A ski lodge inspired mega mansion on one of Merseyside's most expensive streets is back on the market again for an eye-watering price tag.
The plush pad, located on Birkdale's Waterloo Road, is on the market with Ball and Percival, Southport , for a whopping £1,395,000.
It's not the first time this luxury home has been listed in the last few months - but it was recently put back on the market , with photos uploaded to property website RightMove.
Stepping beyond the imposing double-fronted facade, the property opens up into a grand entrance hall that looks like it's been borrowed from a VIP après-ski lodge.
The unusual Canadian post and beam design gives the property the air of a mountain lodge, when it's actually located on the edge of the Sefton Coast.
Previously listed with Fine and Country, the property is undoubtedly one of the most exclusive homes on the market in Merseyside right now.
Boasting five bedrooms, but with the potential to create eight, it's dripping in plush features and quirky interior design elements.
To view the full story featuring this property, click or tap here.
The Hollywood Hills style Wirral mansion - £1,940,000
A five-bedroom Wirral mansion, that looks like it belongs in the Hollywood Hills, is also back on the market.
Complete with a tennis court, pavilion and a massive dressing room; the house is up for sale with Savills for an eye-watering £1.94million.
The prime location of Roughlands in Thurstaston lends itself to outstanding views over the Dee estuary towards the North Wales coast.
This is only the third time the property has been on the market since its construction in 1928.
Described as a family home, Roughlands is bordered by mature trees to all sides in its 3.4 acre plot, providing an excellent sense of privacy and seclusion.
Photos offer a glimpse inside the LA-style mansion that comes with a traditional twist.
A panelled dining room with original leaded bay windows to the front and a door to the back hall, gives easy access to the impressive kitchen.
Upstairs the luxurious setting continues as the master bedroom with dressing room and en suite bathroom looks directly out onto the Dee Estuary and comes with access to a roof terrace.
To view the full story featuring this property, click or tap here.
The real life 'Barbie dream house' - £459,000
'Barbie's Dream House' is on the market - and its interior is as striking as its exterior.
The stand-out pink mansion is up for sale with doorsteps.co.uk for just a smidge under half a million pounds.
Listed on Zoopla , this six-bed property is located on Roe Lane in Southport and will set you back £459,000.
Apart from the obvious colour choice, the outside of the property also has a vast driveway and a grand water fountain.
Entering the property , through a set of double doors, the elaborate interior design is obvious the moment prospective buyers walk in.
The grand hallway is furnished with purple printed wallpaper, a glitzy chandelier and mirrored furniture - a popular choice throughout the property.
Photos taken inside also show somewhat of a crushed velvet theme running throughout.
Sofas, curtains and even wallpaper made from the plush fabric are positioned in various rooms inside the sprawling family home.
The ultra modern kitchen almost seems to sparkle - however is less colourful with the owner going for chique black cabinets for a glossy finish.
To view the full story featuring this property, click or tap here.
The palatial mansion house with a pool and bar tucked away inside - £1,350,000
Boasting six bedrooms, four reception rooms, a pool house and a leisure suite, this home is unlike anything else on the market in Merseyside.
Located on Kings Drive in Caldy, it's up for sale with Bradshaw, Farnham and Lea estate agents in West Kirby, and carries a huge price tag of £1,350,000.
The stunning period property looks like it was plucked straight out of the pages of a fairy tale, with a jaw-dropping double fronted entrance.
Designed and built during the Edwardian period, this bespoke property "echoes the nautical history of the original owner", according to the estate agents.
Approached by a sweeping driveway, the property is double fronted with the front door set inside an unusual column-shaped centre.
A wood panelled entrance hall offers an air of grandeur to the home, with a chandelier hanging from the ceiling and quirky panels adorning the walls.
With room for up to seven bedrooms, space certainly isn't an issue in this property - with images also showing some of the four formal reception rooms throughout.
To view the full story featuring this property, click or tap here.
The Caldy mansion with a pool, gym and bar inside - £2,200,000
This imposing five-bedroom home, named Edec Roc, is nestled on Thorsway in Caldy , on the Wirral peninsula.
Boasting a postcode in one of Wirral's most affluent areas, it's no secret that properties on this exclusive street don't come cheap.
But this plush detached home carries a price tag that's enough to make your eyes water - with an asking price of £2,200,000.
Advertised by Bradshaw Farnham and Lea, it's unlike anything else on the market in Merseyside - with a whole host of swanky features.
Spread over three floors, the property is set within highly-secluded gardens with a full leisure suite set-up inside.
This luxury 'leisure suite' has a pool house, steam room, gym and a cinema and games room complete with its own private bar.
The property also boasts an automated 'smart home' system that enables owners to control things like heating and lights, as well as CCTV security surveillance.
An impressive entrance hall is painted all white, with a wrap-around gallery landing and carefully selected decorations.
Upstairs, the games room is currently kitted out with a pool table and projector, perfect for movie nights, complete with a fully stocked bar.
To view the full story featuring this property, click or tap here.
The Peaky Blinders style mansion - £950,000
This stunning Peaky Blinders style mansion is fit for a family as well heeled as the Shelbys.
While the Shelby family haven't always called such plush surroundings 'home', the latest series of Peaky Blinders showed Tommy rising to an incredible position of power.
Scenes showing off the Shelby estate left plenty of fans swooning over the luxury interiors and expansive accommodation.
And fans of the show could get their own Peaky Blinders style mansion - just as long as they've got a spare £1,000,000 knocking around.
The property, on Beach Lawn in Waterloo is on the market with Clive Watkin for offers over £950,000.
Boasting eight bedrooms, the impressive family home is decorated in a distinctive period style with a decadent interior design scheme.
While this million pound mansion might not be quite as imposing as Tommy Shelby's massive manor house , it's probably the closest any house hunter could get without inheriting an estate.
The Regency-style Victorian property is Grade II listed, with breathtaking panoramic views over Marine Gardens, the estuary and the Welsh Hills beyond.
Beyond the immaculate frontage of this period property, the house opens out onto the main entrance hall, with the library to the right and the drawing room to the left.
Spread over three floors, the downstairs holds the kitchen and breakfast room, as well as the dining room and pantry, with two double bedrooms and the master suite on the first floor.
To view the full story featuring this property, click or tap here.
The jaw-dropping property used in period dramas - £1,750,000
Located near Crosby Marina in Waterloo, this nine-bedroom mansion boasts stunning views overlooking the Sefton Coast.
On the market with Century 21 estate agents, the terraced property comes with a guide price of £1,750,000 - but once you step inside you can see why.
With 27 rooms, a domed entrance hall and original features that look like they were plucked straight off the set of Downton Abbey, this property is certainly one-of-a-kind.
The luxury home has featured in a number of period dramas, such as The Forsyte Saga and Island at War - as well as setting the scene for the film Tolkien which is in cinemas now.
Advertised as being a 'one of a kind property', the Grade II listed building is like nothing else on the market in Merseyside.
It boasts a dome and galleried oak staircase, original fireplaces and a cast-iron verandah among the amazing original features to be found inside.
To view the full story featuring this property, click or tap here.
The Wirral hideaway that looks like something out of a fairytale - £1,550,000
Located on Croft Drive West in the affluent Caldy enclave of Wirral, this property is on the market with Bradshaw Farnham & Lea.
The five-bedroom detached property comes with a price tag of £1,550,000, with photos uploaded to RightMove showing oak-panelled rooms, old-fashioned fire places and a winding staircase all befitting of a rural mansion.
Named 'Long Hay', the Caldy property is described as an 'arts and crafts residence' - with a number of original period features still lovingly retained.
Surrounded by landscaped gardens, the property even comes with its own private tennis court - plus a raised terrace area which runs across the back of the house.
Inside, the property boasts three reception rooms, a study and a stunning dining kitchen with a huge central island.
An online listing uploaded to property website RightMove says the current owners undertook a comprehensive programme of renovation and refurbishment to the house.
Alongside modern features and appliances, the property still retains original fireplaces, lead lighted doors and ornate moulded ceilings that offer a glimpse into the history of the home.
To view the full story featuring this property, click or tap here.
The Liverpool FC-themed mansion with a football pitch in the garden - £1,550,000
A Liverpool FC-themed mansion has is also on the market in Merseyside - and it even has its own miniature football pitch in the back garden.
On the market with Karen Parks estate agents, the plush pad is up for sale for £1,550,000, so you might meed a footballer's salary to afford it.
Located on Stanlawe Road in Formby, this particular area of Sefton has proven popular with players and club staff down the years, and this slice of real estate could even come with some squad members as neighbours.
Hidden away on a private road in one of the most prestigious locations in Freshfields, the refurbished property is named 'Seasound'.
Boasting five bedrooms, a games room and its own swimming pool, photos uploaded to property site RightMove certainly show why the eye-watering price tag is justified.
Photos taken inside the property reveal a Liverpool FC-themed interior design scheme running throughout - from the bedrooms right through to the private bar area.
To view the full story featuring this property, click or tap here.
The most expensive house on the market in Merseyside - £2,950,000
Located in Birkdale, this mock Tudor mansion house is on one of the most exclusive and sought-after streets in Merseyside.
Just a stone's throw away from the Royal Birkdale Golf Club and with views out over the beach beyond, the property occupies an unrivalled position.
On the market with Chris Tinsley estate agents for an unbelievable £2,995,000, this property is by far the priciest on the market in Merseyside right now.
The current owners undertook a major programme of extensions and improvements in 2010, creating a property with a mixture of modern features and mock Tudor influences.
Spread over 10,000 square feet and three storeys, the property boasts five bedrooms - some with their own dressing rooms and en suite bathrooms.
Stepping through the front door of the property, this plush pad opens out onto a grand reception hall with a turned staircase leading to galleried first floor landing, lounge, sitting room and gym.
Perhaps the most breathtaking feature of this property is the Tudor inspired banqueting hall and orangerie that looks fit for a Henry VIII-worthy feast.
Each of the five bedrooms have their own en suite bathrooms, with the master suite also boasting a dressing room, walk-in wardrobe and private balcony overlooking the rear garderns.
To view the full story featuring this property, click or tap here.
Gated Birkdale mega-mansion with an indoor pool and incredible cinema room - £1,695,000
This Westbourne Road home in Birkdale is on the market with Colette Gunter and comes with a range of A-list worthy features.
Each of the five double bedrooms have their own en suites, with one of the rooms currently adorned with an Instagram-worthy 'flower wall'.
One of the most impressive features of this exclusive property is the cinema room, which is fitted out with a starlight ceiling, Bose sound system and white padded rooms.
The property also has its own indoor heated swimming pool and spa area, with sliding doors out onto the balcony.
Perhaps the most breath-taking part of this Birkdale mega-mansion is the sprawling lawned rear garden, which has split-level Indian stone terracing and Ibiza-style day beds.
To view the full story featuring this property, click or tap here.
Gated mansion on one of Liverpool's most expensive streets - £850,000
Nestled on Osborne Wood in Fulwood Park , this detached home is located in an area populated with luxury mansions and imposing poroperties.
With only three homes inside this tiny gated community, this exclusive development offers total privacy from the outside world.
On the market with Atlas Estate Agents, this plush pad comes with a guide price of £850,000, placing it well above the average asking price on Merseyside.
Boasting four bedrooms, the master suite comes with its own separate dressing room fitted with floor-to-ceiling wardrobes and a mirrored dressing table.
Spread over two floors, the property has been extended and renovated by the current owners - including an impressive open-plan lounge and dining area.
At the rear of the house, the dining area opens out on to the garden through a set of bi-folding doors running practically the entire length of the room.
These bi-folding doors open out on to a sprawling back garden, currently boasting a pizza oven and barbecue perfect for summer parties.
The contemporary design scheme throughout the property is modern and unique, with quirky fittings and furniture dotted around the house.
To view the full story featuring this property, click or tap here.
The treehouse mansion with quirky features - £800,000
A Grand Designs worthy home that looks like a luxury treehouse has come on the market in Wirral - and it's pretty unique.
Located on Thurstaston Road in Heswall, this four-bedroom family home is on the market with Hewitt Adams estate agents
Described by the estate agents as "Grand Designs-esque", the one-of-a-kind property was built with "no expense spared" by the original owner.
Boasting impressive views out over the estuary, the treetop property is situated on a private plot with its own separate annex outside.
Taking up an elevated position on the road, the unusual property has a staircase on the outside leading up to the top floor, with balconies stretching around parts of the upstairs.
The quirky design means living spaces are situated upstairs with plenty of huge windows looking out on to the treetops immediately outside.
This makes it feel like the house itself is built up in the trees, giving it a secluded hide-away feel that's unlike anything else on Wirral.
To view the full story featuring this property, click or tap here.
The Grade II home with a hidden Titanic history - £1,250,000
This Wirral home has a tragic hidden link to the shipping company which launched the Titanic.
Thomas Henry Ismay, who founded the White Star Line, owned this grand clock tower, which is now a luxury six-bedroom Thurstaston home with sprawling private grounds.
Now on the market with Jackson-Stops estate agents, this Grade II listed property offers house hunters with deep pockets the chance to own a real piece of history.
This historic clock tower once formed part of the prestigious Dawpool Estate, which was bought by Thomas Ismay in 1877.
The original Dawpool Hall was demolished by Thomas Ismay, who commissioned architect Richard Norman Shaw to design and oversee the construction of a new hall.
The clock tower was also the vision of Shaw and was built in 1892 comprising a vast stable block and carriage house.
Although he founded the White Star Line , Thomas Ismay died before the Titanic launched - but his son Joseph Bruce Ismay was aboard the ship's doomed maiden voyage and survived the disaster.
The tower which was once owned by Ismay is on the market for the first time in over half a century - having been acquired from the Dawpool Estate around 1960 by the current owners, who converted the property into a family home.
To view the full story featuring this property, click or tap here.
The terrace house with a bargain price tag but a gym and a dressing room - £149,000
You would be mistaken to think this semi-detached house located on Chesnut Grove in Birkenhead is small.
With an open plan kitchen and expansive cellar room, space is no issue in this house.
And best of all, the house is up for sale with Jones & Chapman for just £149,950.
Described by the estate agents as a "beautifully presented" home which has been "carefully modernised", this property would be a luxurious purchase for any family.
Positioned at the bottom of the street, the house boasts four bedrooms, two bathrooms and one reception room.
Also on offer is a large cellar room recently tanked and ideal as a games room/cinema/home gym- the choice is yours.
To view the full story featuring this property, click or tap here.
The 1830s cottage with an amazing modern twist - £614,950
Maeshowe Cottage, on Hooton Green, is on the market with Brennan Ayre O'Neill estate agents in Bromborough for an impressive price tag.
The four bedroom detached home is up for sale for a whopping £614,950 - but pictures taken inside offer an insight into why this property price is so justified.
Images uploaded to property site RightMove show the stunning original features, modern flourishes and sprawling grounds of this luxury home.
Nestled on a plot spanning half an acre, the historic cottage is an unusual blend of modern and period features.
Dating back to the 1830s, the home has been renovated with old features like exposed beams sitting alongside a quirky new wood-burning stove.
Ornate feature windows offer a nod to the property's history, with the old fashioned front door overhung by a canopy.
The master suite boasts vaulted ceilings, exposed beams and period features, with bespoke built-in wardrobes and an en suite bathroom.
To view the full story featuring this property, click or tap here.
The five bedroom home with a phenomenal layout round the back - £735,000
This property, which is called 'Honeywood', is nestled on St Davids Lane in Oxton, Wirral, just around the corner from Wirral Golf Club.
This prestigious family home is on the market with Belvoir estate agents for a whopping £735,000 - but photos uploaded to Zoopla offer an insight into why the price tag is quite so high.
Boasting five bedrooms, two bathrooms and two reception rooms, the property is tucked away in a secluded spot at the end of St Davids Lane.
Two of the bedrooms have their own en-suite bathrooms, while the large reception rooms boast stunning views over the property's plush grounds.
Spread across three floors, the property also has a separate living suite with its own kitchen and front door.
However, perhaps the most impressive feature of this luxury home is the quirky design at the rear of the property - with a stunning balcony running the length of the house.
The stunning glass balcony is partially laid out with wooden flooring, with a separate section turfed with grass to make a seating area.
On the ground floor, a separate balcony is built over a sloping section of the sprawling garden, with a patio and steps leading up to the first floor raised balcony.
Views from the rear of property look out over North Wales, with trees and greenery surrounding the perimeter and offering considerable privacy.
To view the full story featuring this property, click or tap here.
The four-storey mansion with a cinema and adventure playground on the market - £1,200,000
Spread across four floors, this five-bedroom detached property is located on one of Southport's most sought after streets.
The Waterloo Road home, which is nestled in the affluent suburb of Birkdale, is up for sale with Bailey Estates for a whopping £1.2 million.
Photos taken inside the plush pad and uploaded to RightMove offer a glimpse at why the price tag is quite so large.
Accessed through a set of electric gates and set back from a private driveway, the entire property is monitored by a CCTV system that can be viewed on TVs throughout the house.
Dripping in luxury features, the property even has its own cinema room in the basement - painted in a bold purple colour as a homage to Cadbury's chocolate.
Unfortunately, the luxury leather reclining seats and 60 inch cinema screen are not included in the sale.
The property is equally as impressive on the outside with its own area of private woodland, sweeping garden and paved patio area.
Tucked away in the secluded section of woodland is a summer house and wooden adventure playground area, filled with equipment that would be any child's dream.
However, the listing specifies that the exciting equipment is also excluded from the sale.
To view the full story featuring this property, click or tap here.
The 'biggest house in Liverpool' - £9,000 per month
A seven-bedroom manor house is up for rent in Liverpool - and it comes with its own cinema, gym and sauna.
The sprawling mansion is on the market with Golding Estates, carrying a monthly rental price of £9,000.
Nestled on Woolton Road , the property is Grade II* listed and dates back to 1845 - with many original features still intact.
Taking up a prime location in Woolton, the property is located in one of south Liverpool's most sought-after postcodes with more than half an acre of private land.
Spread across three floors and spanning 14,000 square feet, the plush pad is so big it has a lift to every level, with seven bedrooms and seven bathrooms inside.
With a whopping 20-car gravel driveway outside, the property is also fitted with CCTV, electric gates and two "panic rooms".
Among the luxury features inside are a cinema, sauna, wine cellar, beer pump and gym - with the garden boasting a massive hot tub.
Despite the modern elements of the renovated mansion, it also retains a number of original features including fireplaces, ornate ceilings and figures carved into the stone of the property.
To view the full story featuring this property, click or tap here.
The pristine cottage on one of Liverpool's only gated streets - £580,000
This property is located on Stonehouse Mews, just off Yew Tree Road in Allerton - one of Liverpool's few gated communities.
On the market with Jones and Chapman, the property carries a guide price of £580,000 to £600,000 - placing it well above the average house price for Liverpool.
Set behind an imposing set of metal gates, the cottage is one of only a select number of properties on this tiny private street.
The old stone walls at the entrance have a plaque which reads "Stonehouse Mews - Private Road" - and only residents are allowed access.
Perhaps one of the most impressive parts of this property is the sun lounge, which has a quirky glass roof and exposed beams, with exposed brick walls.
With one bedroom on the ground floor, there are another two bedrooms upstairs, along with a shower room.
At the front of the property, there is off street parking and a garage - not that safety would be a concern beyond the towering gates of the street entrance.
To view the full story featuring this property, click or tap here.
