You've come to the right place. As a Pickens home inspector, we are familiar with that area of the Upstate. Pickens is a fairly small town that is mostly centrally located in Pickens County. The town itself is only about 2.5 square miles. Highways 178, 183 and 8 all intersect in town. These roads make it easy to get to Easley, the mountains or out to lake Keowee.
Lots of folks who live in Pickens commute to other towns and cities for work. However, there are several employers close to town, including Reliable Automatic Sprinkler, Yokohama, Abbott, Prisma and Milliken. Pickens has a decent school system and the town has quite a few restaurants and shops. There's even a Walmart just outside of town, down highway 8. Most of the other necessities are close by as well - banks, grocery stores, pharmacies and a hospital are all nearby.
As a Pickens home inspector, most of the homes we encounter are typically older, in more established neighborhoods. However, there are some new residential developments going up in the surrounding areas. Houses in Pickens range from mobile homes to larger homes and estates. Some of these homes are more than a hundred years old. Many of these homes are built on crawlspace foundations. However, there are plenty of homes in the area built on concrete slab or basement foundations. Vinyl, hardboard and brick siding materials are most often used. Roofs are typically either asphalt shingle or metal. Lots of Pickens home inspections are being performed right now because lots of houses are being bought and sold in the area.
Pickens is a good place to live if you enjoy outdoor recreation. There are plenty of hiking trails just a short drive away. The Doodle Trail is a walking/bike path that runs about 8.5 miles from Pickens to Easley. Lakes Jocassee and Keowee are a short drive away and offer lots of outdoor activities including boating, fishing and swimming. Some folks like to go scuba diving at Lake Jocassee because the water is so clear. Town Creek Bike Park is located on the north end of town and offers several bike obstacle courses. The Jaycee Park around the corner offers a nice playground for the kids.
If you like history, head north of town a couple of miles to the Hagood Grist Mill, which was operational from around 1845 to the mid 1960s. If you like to play golf, head over to the Pickens County Country Club. If you like unique restaurants and shops, head to downtown Pickens for a variety of options.
If you're buying real estate in the area and need a Pickens home inspector, please give us a call - we'd love to help you learn more about the house you want to buy.