IF CUPID brought you love on Valentine’s Day you might now be thinking about finding a new love nest for you and your significant other. Viewing properties and exploring new areas are exciting parts of the house-hunting process. However, it isn’t always without its challenges. Here the team at Andrews in Stroud offers its advice for finding your dream love nest.

Location should always be a priority. Thankfully, you’re already considering Stroud so you’re off to a great start!

There’s a wealth of information available online to kick start your search. The House Price Index on the Land Registry’s website will provide an indication of average house prices by location, whilst the Office for National Statistics can give you a view in to health, crime and the environment detailing how your potential new neighbourhood compares with the rest of the country.

Of course, Council Tax charges vary from area to area, so a visit to Stroud District Council’s website can help you to find out just how much you can expect to pay each month.

You’ll also need to consider how your personal needs stack up against the facilities in the local area. If you’re keen to be within walking distance of smart bars, cafés and bistros then you may wish to consider Uplands, Old Stroud, or Rodborough; whilst proximity to top rated schools shouldn’t be a problem in Stroud as the town is blessed with many good primary and secondary schools. Meanwhile, those wishing to have sports and leisure facilities on their doorstep should check out properties in Stroud Town for their close proximity to Stratford Park Leisure Centre.

Whilst your available budget will be a major factor in guiding your search, it’s worth keeping your options open – especially as far as house style is concerned.

Bungalows, for example, are not just for the elderly and can offer fantastic family living spaces, often with plenty of potential for loft extensions as you need to expand your love nest. Most residential areas in Stroud offer pockets of bungalow developments.

Many people prefer a house with more than one bathroom, but don’t automatically write-off a one bathroom home if there’s room to add a second – sometimes it costs less to put in an en-suite than it does to buy a place with two bathrooms.

Stroud offers a wonderful mix of property, beautiful countryside, great schools, a café culture, and a town centre with an interesting mix of independent retailers. The team at Andrews looks forward to supporting you in your search. Visit our newly refurbished office at 24 King Street, Stroud, or check out our available properties online at: andrewsonline.co.uk