Case Study: Relocating to Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire

Helping the family find out about the area

Other than also knowing that they wanted a detached house, the remaining requirements were vague and varied due to the Sng family being born and brought up in the hustle bustle of the city and having little knowledge of the English property market.

Chiltern Relocation spent two orienteering days showing the family Windsor, Maidenhead, Marlow, Henley-on-Thames, Amersham Beaconsfield and Gerrards Cross.

Finding the right schools for the children

The school search often leads to the property search and the Sngs were very keen for their children to find a school where the International Baccalaureate exam syllabus was part of the curriculum.

Chiltern Relocation located four suitable schools and then spent two days on school viewings in Ascot, Beaconsfield, High Wycombe and Hillingdon. Among these, Chiltern Relocation found a school which incorporated the International Baccalaureate and had spaces for the two Sng children aged 12 and 14.

Locating a suitable property close to the school

Now the school was in place, the task was to find a property within commuting distance of the school and preferably close to a community where there was a Chinese or multicultural element to the area.

Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire has many of the qualities that the Sngs were looking for due to the beautiful countryside around and the River Thames running through the town. It is within easy commuting distance of the school in Ascot, together with quick access to the M40/M25 and 40 minutes to Heathrow airport.

Twelve houses viewed in two days

Chiltern Relocation set up two viewing days with a schedule of six houses to see each day. The choice was wide and varied so the family could appreciate the variety of property available. We found two suitable properties in Henley, one in the town centre overlooking the Thames and one in a gated development just ten minutes outside of town.

Helping with negotiations and minor building repairs

Negotiations took place and the purchase price was agreed with a 10% discount on the out-of-town property. Chiltern Relocation kept in touch with the agents all the way throughout the legal process and helped organise surveyors and builders to carry out small building repairs.

Putting the family in touch with a Chinese ex-Pat group

Chiltern Relocation helped Mr and Mrs Sng move into their beautiful home in September 2006. The children are settled in the school and Chiltern Relocation found a Chinese ex-pat group which has helped Mrs Sng settle into the picturesque town of Henley-on-Thames.