If you’re looking to sell your property, you’ll want it to go for as much as possible. One element of the home that we often overlook when it comes to adding value is the garden. In this article, Nicky Roeber, Online Horticultural Expert at Wyevale Garden Centres, explains how your garden can help boost the value of your property.
Does a nice garden help sell a property?
Well-kept gardens are sought after in most urban areas. And as house prices in South West London have continued to rise, they are becoming increasingly popular, with many Londoners wanting a space to relax, play with the kids, or develop their green thumb in.
Today I’m outlining my top tips for boosting your property’s value by improving your garden. For some, their garden is a sanctuary and for others, it’s simply an outdoor space. Either way, there are plenty of things you can do to make your garden more appealing to potential buyers and ultimately increase the sale price.
Start with a good old tidy
Much like getting your house ready for a sale, you should begin by decluttering your garden, tidying it up, and getting round to those maintenance jobs you’ve been putting off. For buyers, first impressions count for a lot, and a well-kept garden will not only make your property seem more valuable, it will also show that you’ve looked after it.
Beyond this having a clear up allows them to see what’s actually there! Keeping any lawns trimmed will make everything look neat and tidy, and it can also make the whole garden look bigger. Cut back any dead growth and rake up fallen leaves and other debris. When potential buyers are viewing your home, you want them to visualise living there, so make it look attractive with some nice pots and flowering plants to add some colour.
Add a key selling point
A well-maintained garden will make sure you’re at the top of the pile, but what will make your property stand out? As before, properties appeal to a buyer when they can visualise themselves living there. Provide a place to sit and enjoy their Saturday morning coffee or an area to have evening drinks with friends in Summer and add a lot of appeal.
Something that can be used as an extra room for example, utilised as an office, man cave, or children’s play area might be a game changer for many people. Depending on the size of the property, a nice summer house would really add to the value of your property for the right buyer. As with anything else, you’ll want to make sure that it is in good repair and thoroughly cleaned.
Other nice features include a garden shed, pond, water fountain, decking, or even particularly nice trees. These garden elements won’t be a deal breaker for every buyer, but it’s likely they will stick in someone’s mind if they are torn between two properties.
A touch of paint goes a long way
A great way to add some perceived value without spending a lot is to make everything look as new as possible. Fences should be solidly fixed in the ground with no missing panels and painted to look fresh and well kept. Treat any other wood in the same way, whether that’s your decking, gazebo or even your birdhouse. If the garden is presentable it will be more attractive to viewers and could increase the price a potential buyer is willing to pay for your home. When people think about buying a home, they often look at the negatives of each property. If you can minimise these, you can generate more interest in your home.
Keep it private and secure
Garden security and privacy is becoming more of a luxury with extensions and new builds popping up in a lot of residential parts of London. With prospective buyers wanting a garden that the pets or kids can’t easily escape from make sure the garden is as secure as possible. Not just that, but people like to feel secure and secluded in their own garden as it will allow them to fully relax. Having appropriate garden partitions, privacy screens, fencing and gating is integral for this kind of buyer.
If your garden is overlooked by other homes or gardens, you might want to invest a little in creating a more private space. Adding in some ornamental trees or trellises with plants in strategic locations near property boundaries can make a big difference, while structures such as pergolas and gazebos can add to that secluded feel, as well as providing a place to relax.
It’s important to note that landscaping will add value but so-called luxury landscaping will not. In other words, purchasing mature and pricey greenery won’t add much value compared to its cost. You don’t have to invest thousands of pounds on exotic flowers to add value to your garden. Follow the tips above and you’ll be able to make a great first impression on potential buyers and get the most value out of your sale.
Nicky Roeber is Online Horticultural Expert at Wyevale Garden Centres, which has centres in Lower Morden, Osterley, and Syon Park.
Browse our homes for sale in these areas or find out about selling with James Anderson on our website.