Pike Smith & Kemp - Cookham

16/09/2023

Please Take Note/Important : Do not respond to any rental advertisements or posts apart from those on our Pike Smith Kemp website, pskweb.co.uk. Always check that that you are responding to a bonafide post, there are scammers out there, please BEWARE.

Pike, Smith and Kemp: Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Estate Agents offering residential sales and lettings

01/04/2023

The Easter Bunny will be hopping along to Cookham during the school holidays this April – offering chocolatey treats to determined treasure hunters.

22/08/2022

TOP TIP 5: What a buyer should look for in a garden

5. Maintenance
There are several things to take into consideration here, but it’s something you should always bear in mind whenever you view a property with a garden. You must ask yourself if you think you’ll be able to handle the upkeep of the outdoor space as it is. Perhaps you might consider a gardener? (you lucky thing!!!) Do you like the landscaping as it is? Will you need to make changes or improvements?

The answers to these questions may not completely impact your purchasing decision. However, they are worth keeping in mind. Extra costs, even the little ones tend to add up (and quicker than you think); you should have a plan to cover these garden costs as well as the costs for inside the home.

While the actual "house" part of your purchase is without a doubt THE most important aspect of your buying decision, it’s important not to forget what’s going on outside of the home too.

Call us if you are buying or selling in and around Buckinghamshire, Berkshire or Oxfordshire. We've been helping people move home locally since 1947. so you know you're in safe hands when you deal with us. Contact our experienced team of agents to learn more about how we can help you. https://buff.ly/3Mg2plE [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

18/08/2022

TOP TIP 4: What a buyer should look for in a garden

4. Sheds and fences
A shed can be a great addition to a garden. It can be a focal point and is an ideal spot to squirrel away tools and equipment. They do need to be sturdy and secure, so you should always check the locks and the integrity of doors and windows.

It is also good to identify if the shed is in poor condition. A dilapidated shed can be a bit of a liability. An old deteriorating shed can be a useless invader of space; it's not secure enough to store anything of value, and it can be a bit of an eye sore at the end of your garden. Getting rid of an old shed can be quite a task. Avoid the extra work, and make sure to thoroughly check all garden rooms and storage sheds around the property!

Fences can be troublesome if they're not properly looked after and maintained. Thanks to boundary rulings you should only have half of the garden’s fencing to worry about, but make sure you check this with your agent. It may not be your side of the fence that's the issue.

Are you buying or selling in and around Buckinghamshire, Berkshire or Oxfordshire, give us a call. We've been helping people move home locally since 1947, so you know you're in safe hands when you deal with us. Contact our experienced team of agents to learn more about how we can help you. www.pskweb.co.uk [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

16/08/2022

TOP TIP 3: What a buyer should look for in a garden

3. Access
How you get into the garden can't usually be changed, so it's something you need to think about before buying. Many houses will have side entrances to the garden, and some will not - usually due to extensions or garages. It really doesn't matter what the reason is. The outcome remains the same: you will have to access the garden through your home. You may not see this as a problem in the short term, but what if you need work done at the rear of the house or if you want to have your rear windows cleaned? It's definitely worth bearing in mind when viewing a home.

If you want to buy or sell in and around Buckinghamshire, Berkshire or Oxfordshire, give us a call. We've been helping people move home locally since 1947, so you know you're in safe hands when you deal with us.

Contact our experienced team of agents to learn more about how we can help you. www.pskweb.co.uk [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

12/08/2022

TOP TIP 2: What a buyer should look for in a garden

2. Which way does the garden face?
You probably already know that a south-facing garden receives more light, but there are other things to consider. For example, not only will a north-facing garden be less well lit by natural light, but it'll also be cooler. This may be what you are looking for. For those who enjoy gardening, the lack of sunlight may affect the types of plants that grow, as well as the quality of the soil. North-facing gardens also tend to hold more water than south-facing ones, so drainage can also be an issue.

Let us not forget east and west. For many, buying a property with a garden facing one of these two directions will suit them just as well as south-facing. It's a personal choice, i.e., if you like to spend your evenings in the garden, but are out at work all day, then a west-facing garden may be your perfect option. Alternatively, if your morning coffee tastes far better in the fresh air, an east-facing garden may suit you best.

It's important to note that not all property descriptions will state which way a garden faces, but this is easily found out on viewing. You can always ask the agent, or you could simply whip out your smartphone and check its compass, which only takes a second.

If you want to buy or sell in and around Buckinghamshire, Berkshire or Oxfordshire, give us a call. We've been helping people move home locally since 1947, so you know you're in safe hands when you deal with us.

Contact our experienced team of agents to learn more about how we can help you. www.pskweb.co.uk [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

09/08/2022

It can be easy to give the garden a cursory glance when viewing a property, but there are one or two things house buyers should look for in a garden...and we'll lay them out for you here.

1. Problem plants and trees
Japanese Knotweed: This troublesome plant is tough to remove and can cause extensive structural damage. Drainage systems, garden walls, and foundations can be at risk from this menace, so look for signs before moving in.

Similarly, some trees can cause lots of issues. Structural damage is not uncommon if mature trees are too close to the home, and subsidence can result. In the '80s, many homeowners planted trendy fast, growing conifers and gardens are paying the price now.

It's best to employ the services of a reputable surveyor to assess the property before purchase. A Home Buyer Report will highlight any problems, making it money well spent if you are considering moving into a property that could potentially have issues.

If you want to buy or sell in and around Buckinghamshire, Berkshire or Oxfordshire, give us a call. We've been helping people move home locally since 1947, so you know you're in safe hands when you deal with us.

Contact our experienced team of agents to learn more about how we can help you. www.pskweb.co.uk [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]