Because I was a very honest estate agent, I’d tell people what had happened there before we even went through the front door. Without fail, the difference between men and women was the same. Most of the women would refuse to go in, saying that they couldn’t possibly live in a house where something so terrible had happened. Whereas the majority of the men would tell their wives or girlfriends that they were mad, it was a cheap house and murder shouldn’t put them off. One man had to practically push his girlfriend through the door! We ended up selling it eventually – in fact, we had a contract race on it – but it made me think that it’s a miracle couples ever agree on a property.

I asked my boyfriend what his three top priorities were when it came to choosing a property. His answers were location, value for money – and somewhere to park his car! My top three would be location, charm/original features and outside space. What would yours be? And how different are they from your partner’s?

It never ceases to amaze me how different the house-hunters that we have on the programme are. When we first meet and start filming, it usually becomes apparent that there is a head-versus-heart dynamic going on. The women tend to be led by their hearts and the men often think more practically and take longer to make up their minds. However, the women usually end up persuading their menfolk to stop deliberating and just go for it. They don’t always get their own way, though.

I remember one couple in France a few years ago. The wife had very definite ideas about what she wanted. She took great delight in telling us how she was the one who really wore the trousers in their relationship, she made all the decisions and her husband just went along with it. That was, of course, until she found the house of her dreams and the worm suddenly turned. He put his foot down and refused to budge. He didn’t like the style, she loved it. He hated the location, she thought it was perfect. They went home empty-handed and the wife was a little bit humbled.

I try to get house-hunters to think about what their ideal home is before we start the search, as it can save a lot of tears and arguments later. It’s a good idea for you to try if you’re thinking about looking at overseas properties with your beloved in the near future. Sit down together and, on separate pieces of paper, write down – in order of importance – your top ten wishes, the things that you would really like to have in a holiday home. Then, and this is equally important, write down the ten things you’re not prepared to put up with.

Once you’ve finished, swap papers and see whether you’re both following the same pattern of thought. If there are any glaringly obvious differences, discuss them in a quiet, grown-up manner. If that doesn’t work, I find that throwing yourself on the floor and screaming until you get your own way usually does the trick! In all seriousness, being in agreement before you pack your bags and take on the foreign estate agents is a good start.

I wish you luck. Maybe you’ll find a place that ticks all the boxes. Or maybe you’ll find something that doesn’t match your criteria at all, fall in love with it, throw caution to the wind and live happily ever after.

Got a question for Amanda? E-mail her on ptsteam@brooklandsgroup.com

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