It is said that only three things matter when buying a home: location, location, location.
Recent research has backed this, revealing that the quality of the local environment is a significant factor in attracting new residents to an area.
Badenoch and Strathspey is an area that boasts an excellent environment with clean, fresh air, beautiful scenery and an abundance of wildlife and outdoor pursuits.
Newtonmore, which sits within the Cairngorm National Park, is situated at the southern end of the Spey Valley.
Those living here have access to year-round recreational and sporting facilities such as hillwalking, bird-watching, golf, fishing and shooting to name but a few.
Situated just off the A9, facilities include shops, a post office, hotels, restaurants, primary school, bowling green, tennis courts and 18-hole golf course.
The Aspens, a detached, modern cottage in the Speybridge area of the village, enjoys fine open views of the surrounding hills and mountains, including Creag Dhubh.
Sitting in around half an acre of nicely tended landscaped gardens, it would make a lovely family home. It would work equally well for those wishing to offer bed and breakfast accommodation.
Features of note in the house, which is on the market for a fixed price of £350,000, include a large south-facing sun room which has plenty of space for lounge seating, a dining area and study space.
French windows open to the side garden and there are lovely views to be enjoyed from here.
The spacious sitting room has a bay window and feature fireplace, while the large farmhouse-style kitchen has fully fitted units and an oil-fired Aga which heats the water.
It is also plumbed for a dishwasher and there’s space for a fridge-freezer.
The remainder of the ground-floor accommodation includes a vestibule, hall, two WCs, a utility room and a bedroom with en-suite bathroom.
Moving upstairs, the first-floor landing has a built-in double airing and storage cupboard.
Here, there are three good-sized bedrooms, each with en-suite shower room – ideal for guest accommodation.
Built in 1992, the house also comes with something of a bonus – a large basement with power and light which holds a garage and two workshops with benches and shelving.
From here, an internal stairway leads to the hall.
Outside, there is parking space for several cars, plus courtesy lighting, an outside tap and electrical points.
The garden features a pleasing mixture of established trees, shrubs, heathers, rockery, lawns, low stone walling and pathways.
Contact: RE/MAX Cairngorm on or 01479 810531.