Btukfyl

Are there any qualities of an ideal woman that should be kept in mind, by a man before taking the decision of marriage? Please quote references from Hindu Shastras.

Yes there are such references in Manu Smriti and several other scriptures.

From Manu Smriti:

3.8. Let him not marry a maiden (with) reddish (hair), nor one who has a redundant member, nor one who is sickly, nor one either with no hair
(on the body) or too much, nor one who is garrulous or has red (eyes),

3.9. Nor one named after a constellation, a tree, or a river, nor one bearing the name of a low caste, or of a mountain, nor one named after
a bird, a snake, or a slave, nor one whose name inspires terror.

3.10. Let him wed a female free from bodily defects, who has an agreeable name, the (graceful) gait of a Hamsa or of an elephant, a
moderate (quantity of) hair on the body and on the head, small teeth,
and soft limbs.

The above verses tell us which are the maidens whom one should marry and also which are the ones who are not that much recommended for the purpose.

The following verse also gives us few more such "negative" qualities of the bride.

3.11. But a prudent man should not marry (a maiden) who has no brother, nor one whose father is not known, through fear lest (in the
former case she be made) an appointed daughter (and in the latter)
lest (he should commit) sin.