Cooke & Co Free, no obligation E Guides
At Cooke & Co we like to give our clients free, no obligation advice.
Please find below links to our completely free e-guides with helpful advice and checklists.
At Cooke & Co we like to give our clients free, no-obligation advice.
Please find below links to our completely free e-guides with helpful advice and checklists.
We find it frustrating when you must give all your personal details to get some help. At Cooke & Co we do things differently. Please feel free to use our guides to assist you. We are not asking for any of your information, emails, phone number, or details in return.
We just ask nicely that you consider us if you are thinking of buying, selling, or renting a home.
If you have a particular guide you would like to see written then please contact Damien Cooke and he will look into this subject for you. If he can help he will.
Thank you for choosing Cooke & Co.
A guide about selling in summer
Summer is a great time to sell because one crucial
element is working in your favour – the weather.
Your property will look its best in the summer sunshine (especially if you have a garden that’s in
bloom). Bathed in natural light, your home will stand out in the marketing photographs and feel
warm and welcoming when buyers view it in person
And, of course, the days are longer and lighter – giving you plenty of scope to arrange viewings. In the past, there was a tendency to avoid doing property business in summer because many people go away on holiday. But the internet has changed that. Most buyers conduct their initial research online, so even if they go abroad for a week or two, they’ll still check social media and property portals daily. They can easily arrange a viewing for when they return if they see something they like.
A guide to combatting condensation
Welcome to our guide on combatting condensation and mould, two familiar foes in many rented (and
owned) homes across Thanet.
All good tenancies are a partnership between caring landlords and responsible tenants.
And that’s why this guide is written with both in mind.
We’ve used our 30 + years of experience in lettings to provide practical advice, clear explanations
and effective remedies to condensation and mould problems.
Understanding the causes, identifying problem areas and implementing effective measures are crucial steps in addressing these issues effectively. It’s also important to remember that pretty much every home in the UK, due to our climate, gets a degree of condensation and – to a varying degree – mould. Our guide is designed to be a useful resource, providing easy-to-follow advice, from identifying high risk areas in your home to adopting long-term strategies to combat condensation and prevent mould growth.
A guide to buying a leasehold property
Buying a leasehold property is different from purchasing a freehold one.
You’ll need to ask more questions, employ a capable solicitor, and deal with an estate agent you
can trust.
We believe in being as open and upfront as possible.
It’s why we created this guide to help people thinking of buying a leasehold property make a fully
informed decision.
In this guide, we share information about the process of buying a leasehold property, answers to frequently asked questions, why choosing the right professionals matters, and much more. We always aim to ensure you have the proper guidance and support to help you make the best decisions for yourself and your future. I hope you find this guide useful, and please get in touch with us if you have any questions whatsoever.
A guide to buying a new build home
During the many years we’ve been in business, we’ve experienced pretty much everything that can,
and sometimes does, happen during the moving process.
This guide shares everything we’ve learned about buying a new-build and the different options
available if you need to sell a home first.
It’s a myth that moving home is always a stressful experience.
With proper planning, an outstanding estate agent and excellent professional services, such as a good solicitor, you dramatically increase your chances of a smooth purchase. Over the following pages, we’ve aimed to answer your questions in plain English (we don’t like jargon, either). We look at buying off-plan, the different funding options available, and some of the pros and cons of buying a new-build. We are always available to answer any other questions and keep you informed at every step of the process.
A guide to switching estate agents
We’ve created this guide to help homeowners currently on the market but thinking of switching
estate agents because their home isn’t selling or attracting interest and offers.
We have 30 years of experience helping people in Thanet sell their homes successfully, and the
information and advice in this guide is based upon that
If your property has been on the market for a while without any successful offers, it’s natural to feel frustrated and uncertain about the future. This guide is written to help you gain clarity about certain aspects of your sale, including:
- Why people consider switching agents
- The pros and cons of switching
- How to switch agents in the best way
- Frequently asked questions about changing agents
- What to do and when to maximise your chances of a successful sale
A guide to selling your family home
We’ve created this step-by-step guide to selling your family home using our 30+ years of experience
helping Thanet’s homeowners navigate the property market.
It’s a must-read for anyone considering selling their family home this year
Every property sale is different, with many factors and feelings involved, especially when the property you’re selling is the place your family calls home. In this guide, we’ll look into the following:
- The things to consider before making a decision
- Questions to ask an estate agent
- Insights on how to attract the best buyers
- Seven steps to the successful sale of your family home
- The real-life experiences of a family of five (six, including Lincoln, the dog) who have gone through the selling process
A guide to unlocking your home's value
Our experience has taught us that accurately pricing a property is vital when it comes to
successfully selling.
It’s about more than just making a sale. For many of us, our home is our most significant tax-free
asset, and for some, getting the best possible price can potentially have life-changing benefits.
We understand this and are committed to ensuring the price is not only right for you, but also attractive to potential buyers. Over the following pages, you’ll discover:
- The factors that contribute to an accurate property valuation
- Common myths and misconceptions about pricing property
- The potential pitfalls of overpricing and underpricing
- A wealth of additional insights and tips we’ve gathered over the years
A guide to making the most of your rental portfolio
Welcome to our guide to help landlords make the most of their property and portfolios in an
efficient, economic and ethical way.
Over the next few pages, we will share with you several ideas and techniques.
These have helped many of our landlords run their rental investments in a professional way, which
gives them consistently good returns.
We’ll also dispel some myths surrounding rental property rules, and highlight why a good letting agent can be a conscientious landlord’s best friend. Rental profit, when made ethically and responsibly, isn’t something to be ashamed of. Quite the contrary. In our years of experience, we’ve learned that landlords who do the right thing are the most successful.
A guide to selling your home in autum
Autumn is often a very busy period for people wanting to move into a new home.
For some, it’s the attraction of settling into a new place before Christmas.
But usually, especially post-pandemic and taking into account possible conveyancing delays,
Autumn movers are looking to start a new year in a new property
Autumn is also a time when many people who have had their homes on sale through the Summer and are yet to have received an acceptable offer think about changing their estate agent. This is something we also cover in this guide. Along with tips on getting your property ready for an Autumn sale and questions to ask estate agents to ensure you choose the best one. I hope you find this guide helpful, and please get in touch with us if you have any questions whatsoever
A guide to selling your home in spring
We’ve created this guide to selling in spring using our 30 years of experience helping Thanet’s
homeowners navigate the property market.
It’s a must-read for anyone considering selling their home this season.
With its longer days and sense of things coming back to life, spring offers a great window of opportunity for people looking to sell. In this guide, we’ll look into the following:
- The pros and cons of spring selling
- The importance of accurate pricing
- Insights on achieving the right price to attract serious buyers without underselling your property
- Seven steps to a successful springtime sale
- How to maximise your property’s potential using tested strategies
A guide about valuing your property
Since 1992, we’ve been serving home sellers and buyers in Thanet, gaining extensive knowledge and
insights about property pricing.
Our experience has taught us that accurately pricing a property is vital when it comes to
successfully selling.
It’s about more than just making a sale. For many of us, our home is our most significant tax-free asset, and for some, getting the best possible price can potentially have life-changing benefits. We understand this and are committed to ensuring the price is not only right for you, but also attractive to potential buyers.
A guide to selling in winter
While the thought of selling a home when the skies are grey and the temperatures are dropping
may seem daunting, it actually presents some significant advantages.
First things first: why is selling your home in winter different?
Well, you’ll be dealing with variables that don’t typically affect summer sales – from shorter days
and unpredictable weather to prospective buyers being more focused on Christmas pudding than
property viewings. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Less competition and a more serious pool of buyers can lead to quicker and smoother transactions. And let’s not forget a roaring fire or well-insulated living room can make your home look even more appealing. In this guide, we’ll delve into the nitty-gritty details that make winter home sales unique. We’ll discuss how to add that wow factor to your home viewings and look at the importance of kerb appeal.
A guide to selling an exceptional property
We’ve created this guide to provide you with information you can use to confidently choose an estate agent to work on your behalf.
With homes like yours, it is not the promise of a price, but a process that will be adopted to help achieve the maximum value and amplify your property’s potential.
With selling, it’s about your agent’s level of experience, expertise and enthusiasm coming together to help your home sell for a premium price. Over a few pages, we will examine why a unique approach is needed to sell these particular homes.
A guide to selling due to job relocation
If you’re moving home for a new job, you’ve probably got a lot on your plate.
From selling your current home to finding another property, meeting your job contract start date, researching schools and local amenities in your new area, and much more. There’s so much to consider.
By working with us, we hope to take some of that stress away. We’ve got the experience and know-how to sell your current home as quickly as possible and for a premium price. This ensures you can focus on your new job, settle into your new home, and start a new chapter in your life. As established agents in the heart of Kent, we know what sells and which buyers to target. We have a proven track record of selling properties just like yours and we never underestimate how overwhelming a big move can feel, especially when a new job is involved.
Our aim is to help and guide you to make the best decisions for you and your family.
Thanks for your time, and please get in touch with us if you have any questions whatsoever.
A guide to selling as a property investor or developer
Cooke & Co has been serving the people of Kent since 1992 and we’ve helped scores of investors and developers sell their properties and maximise their profit.
We’ve created this guide to give you the confidence to sell your project with us and provide all the information you need to know when choosing your agent.
Whether you’re a first-time property developer, an experienced investor, you’ve refurbished a single dwelling, or have newly built multiple homes, we’ve got the experience and know-how to sell your property and make you a healthy return.
We take the stress away from selling investment properties. That’s because we understand your financial commitments, the time and effort spent on your project, and the priority of freeing up your cash.
A guide to selling due to financial reasons
Cooke & Co has been serving the people of Kent since 1992 and we’ve helped scores of homeowners sell their homes for many reasons, including selling due to financial reasons.
We’ve created this guide to give you the confidence to sell your home with us and provide all the information you need to know when choosing your agent.
If you’re experiencing financial challenges and are considering selling your property, we understand how difficult this can be. It’s a very big decision and we know you haven’t taken it lightly.
By working with us, we hope to help you in what may be a stressful and worrying time. We’ve got the experience and know-how to sell your current home as quickly as possible, for a premium price, to help you ease the burden.
If you choose to work with our agency, all conversations will be held in the strictest of confidence, without any judgment. Lots of people experience financial challenges and we’re here to help with compassion and understanding.
As established agents in the heart of Kent, we know what sells and to whom. We have a proven track record of selling properties like yours and we never forget how overwhelming a sale like this can feel.
Our aim is to help and guide you to make the best decision for you and your family
Finding and keeping dream tenants
We've been serving landlords across Kent since 1992.
Over the following pages, we will share advice on the most important decision a landlord has to make – which tenant to accept for your property.
We will also look at what you can do to attract the type of tenants you want.
And we’ll highlight why it makes such good financial sense to aim to keep great tenants for as long as possible.
Finding and keeping your dream tenants will undoubtedly help you sleep easier. It will also make a HUGE difference to your peace of mind and your property’s profitability.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed within the guide or anything else rental property-related, please feel free to contact us.
We’re here to help.
Guide to your responsibilities as a landlord
We've been serving landlords across Kent since 1992.
And during that time, we’ve seen the introduction of a never-ending list of constantly updated rules, regulations, and new laws that impact landlords across Kent. There are now more than 175 pieces of legislation that landlords with properties in the UK must comply with.
Falling foul of these rules can have severe consequences. Check out page 7 of this guide which goes into greater detail about those penalties.
Landlords must be aware of these laws and run their property portfolios professionally. This approach keeps their investments protected and their tenants safe.
Over the next few pages, we will look at some of the key responsibilities that landlords have. We’ll also dispel some myths surrounding rental property rules and highlight why a good letting agent can be a landlord’s best friend.
If you have any questions about your numerous responsibilities as a landlord or anything rental property-related, please don’t hesitate to contact me or a member of our team.
We’re here to keep you on the right side of the regulations, help make your life easier, and ensure your rental investments are as profitable as possible.
Thanks for your time.
Landlords Guide to Switching Letting Agents
We've been serving landlords across Kent since 1992.
Over the years, we’ve helped many landlords switch letting agencies
This guide is a culmination of all the experience and knowledge we have gained during that time by looking after hundreds of landlords.
We understand that being a landlord can be a challenging role – despite what many of the general public may think.
We also understand that a good working relationship between a letting agency an d a landlord can make ALL the difference in how successful and smooth rental investments can be. Over the following pages, we will share our advice on why landlords switch agencies.
We’ll also cover how to identify the best agents for your needs and answer the questions we get asked regularly about changing to new letting agents.
We hope you find this guide helpful and informative.
If you have any questions about the process of switching agents or anything rental property related, please don’t hesitate to contact me or a member of my team.
We’re here to help make your life easier and your rental investments as successful as possible.
Guide for First Time Buyers
Since 1992 we’ve been serving the people of Thanet and have helped hundreds of clients take their first steps onto the property ladder.
Our experience means we know just how exciting, terrifying, inspiring and overwhelming the whole process can be.
Some people are excited about moving out of rented, shared accommodation, or parents’ homes.
Others are anxious about the amount of responsibility, paperwork, and money this move involves. We are here to guide and support you throughout the ups and downs of your home buying journey. Our aim is to ensure you have the right guidance and support to help you make the best decision forc you and your future. After reading this, you may find it beneficial to have a no-obligation, confidential chat with us aboutyour situation.
Thank you for your time, and please get in touch with us if you have any questions whatsoever.
Guide for First Time Sellers
We’ve been serving the people of Thanet since 1992 and we’ve helped hundreds of clients who are selling due to a divorce or separation. Our experience means we know just how emotional, stressful, and draining this period can be for people. Divorce or separation is often, when it comes to selling a home, a difficult thing to go through. However, there are specific steps you can take to help you embark on a fresh chapter of your life. We aim to help and guide you during these times and to become your support partner for the property’s sale.
We’re here to help you get through what can be a very challenging period of your life. We cover many aspects of selling due to divorce or separation in this guide. After reading this, you may find it beneficial to have a no-obligation, confidential chat with us about your situation. We’re experienced in giving people sensitive and expert support when they are moving due to a divorce or separation.
Thank you for your time, and please get in touch with us if you have any questions whatsoever.
Six steps to a successful sale
At Cooke & Co, we genuinely love helping people move home successfully. During the many years we’ve been in business, we’ve experienced pretty much everything that can, and sometimes does, happen during the process. In this guide, we share everything we’ve learned so that you can feel confident about successfully selling your property.
It’s a myth that moving home is always a stressful experience. With proper planning, a good estate agent and excellent professional services, such as a good solicitor, your dream move should go, well, just like a dream. This guide is designed to answer your questions in plain English (we don’t like jargon, either). However, we are always delighted to answer any other questions you have and to keep you informed at every step of the process. Here’s to a happy move.
Guide to selling due to a divorce or separation
We’ve been serving the people of Thanet since 1992 and we’ve helped hundreds of clients who are selling due to a divorce or separation. Our experience means we know just how emotional, stressful, and draining this period can be for people. Divorce or separation is often, when it comes to selling a home, a difficult thing to go through. However, there are specific steps you can take to help you embark on a fresh chapter of your life. We aim to help and guide you during these times and to become your support partner for the property’s sale.
We’re here to help you get through what can be a very challenging period of your life. We cover many aspects of selling due to divorce or separation in this guide. After reading this, you may find it beneficial to have a no-obligation, confidential chat with us about your situation. We’re experienced in giving people sensitive and expert support when they are moving due to a divorce or separation. Thank you for your time, and please get in touch with us if you have any questions whatsoever.
Guide to selling a property to pay for care fees
At Cooke & Co we’ve supported many families selling property to help pay for care fees, often for care homes. This can be an extremely difficult time for everyone involved. You may be a homeowner who needs to fund care in your own home or your place in a care home. The person whose home it is may not be able to explain their wishes or express their feelings. Sometimes, there are many family members involved. Sometimes, you’re dealing with an awful lot on your own. Both situations come with their own challenges.
We understand that it may involve more than the practicalities of selling property (or home), it can also mean coming to terms with new needs and responsibilities, not to mention the feelings of grief you may experience as you embark on this process can make it difficult to navigate. We never forget how overwhelming it can feel and that’s why we can assure you, you’ll always receive a patient, polite, and professional service should you decide to sell your home with us. Our aim is to help and guide you to make the best decision for you and your situation. After reading this guide, you may find it helpful to have a no-obligation, no-pressure chat with us if you are facing this journey.
A guide to help sell a probate or inherited property
Cooke & Co have helped hundreds of clients sell probate or inherited property since 1992. Our experience means we know just how emotional and draining this period can be for people. In many cases, you are not just selling bricks and mortar, but letting go of treasured memories and deep emotional bonds. We never forget that, and compassion and passion are at the core of our service to people in this situation. Our aim is to help and guide you during these times and to become your support partner for the property’s sale. The guide Selling probate or inherited property can be a very complicated matter depending on the size of the estate. And that’s why we’ve created this introduction to it.
The information we share is based on experience and does not constitute legal advice. We can, if necessary, introduce you to experienced and trustworthy solicitors who know the local property market. After reading this, you may find it beneficial to have a no-obligation, confidential chat with us about your situation. Thank you for your time, and please get in touch with us if you have any questions whatsoever.
A guide when Downsizing to a new home
We’ve been serving the people of Kent since 1992 and during that time we’ve helped hundreds of clients rent and sell their homes due to a desire to downsize their property. We prefer to call it ‘right sizing’ because it’s all about finding the right size home for you in whichever stage of life you’re in. Some people are excited about the idea of moving to a new, more manageable home and ideally freeing up some equity. Others are anxious, it’s a significant change, and many of the people we help sell and buy haven’t moved home in decades. We understand that in many cases, you are not just selling bricks and mortar but letting go of treasured memories and deep emotional bonds.
So, we never forget the emotional side of moving. And that’s why we can assure you you’ll always receive a patient, polite, and professional service should you decide to sell your home with us. Our aim is always to help and guide you to make the best decision for you and your future. After reading this guide, you may find it helpful to have a no obligation, no-pressure chat with us about your situation. Thank you for your time, and please get in touch with us if you have any questions whatsoever.
A Guide to Upsizing to a new home
Cooke & Co have helped hundreds of clients sell their homes due to a desire to upsize their property since 1992. We call it ‘right-sizing’ because it’s about finding the right size home, whichever life stage you’re in. Some people are excited about the idea of moving to a new, more spacious home where they might feel less cramped. Others are anxious – it’s a significant step, and many of the people we help haven’t sold a property for a little while. It could even be the first time. We understand that in many cases, you are not just selling bricks and mortar but changing your lifestyle. You know the end goal will be positive but when you’re already very busy, the upheaval is yet another thing for you to deal with. There are specific steps you can take to help you smoothly embark on the next chapter of your life. And we share them in this guide.
We understand how overwhelming it can feel to juggle all the plates at once. And that’s why we can assure you you’ll always receive a patient, polite, and professional service should you decide to sell your home with us. Our aim is to help and guide you to make the best decision for you and your future. After reading this guide, you may find it helpful to have a no-obligation, no-pressure chat with us about your situation. Thank you for your time, and please get in touch with us if you have any questions whatsoever.
Lettings Made Simple, An Essential Guide for landlords
Cooke & Co have created the Lettings Made Simple guide to help landlords feel more confident when it comes to renting their property. Being a landlord carries many legal obligations and responsibilities and we want you to feel informed, confident, and comfortable with the letting process. We’ve been involved in the local property market since 1992. From our offices in Kent, we’ve helped hundreds of landlords rent their properties successfully.
It’s a privilege to be able to do so and one that we do not take for granted – ever. We hope you find the guide helpful and if you have any questions whatsoever, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me or a member of our team. Thanks for reading and here’s to your success as a landlord.
