A Tidy Garden could cast the Deciding Vote in the Sale Factor
If you are planning to sell your house this spring, now is the perfect time to think about a garden makeover that needn’t take too much time.
First impressions count – a well kept and tidy garden is one of the first things a potential buyer will notice and, if it ticks the right boxes, tit might case the deciding vote in the sale factor.
Don’t risk putting someone off your property before they even set foot in the house. Instead, follow these seven steps and treat your garden with as much respect as you treat your house to make sure the whole package has the “wow” factor.
Step 1: Hedges, Shrubs & Borders
A garden can be transformed for a relatively low cost (although you will have to dedicate a bit of time and effort to the cause too).
Overgrown hedges, shrubs and borders should be first on the agenda. Out of control hedges scream out “neglect”, whereas a neatly clipped hedge will blend into the background seamlessly.
Step 2: Beds & Borders
If beds and borders are in serious need of attention, this will detract from the garden and property as a whole.
It is in these areas that you will need to be ruthless, completely remove and dead, dying or past-their-best plants and thin out any clumps of perennials that have overgrown the border. In some cased we would recommend totally removing some borders or reducing them in size by clearing and turfing over these areas.
Most people view borders as potentially time consuming to maintain, a lot of buyers (particularly families) will instead look for a good-sized lawn.
Step 3: The Look of the Lawn
The look of the lawn can be improved quickly and easily by a good management and maintenance programme.
Regular cutting and use of feed and week treatments can green up a lawn and make it look a lot more attractive.
Step 4: Enhance the Fences
An old fence can quickly be enhanced by a few coats of wood preserver; this will hide how tired a fence actually is.
If you are a keen DIY-er, it is a good idea to replace and damaged fence panels or broken fence posts as potential buyers will want to feel safe with a secure boundary.
Step 5: Rejuvenate Paving, Paths and Block Paving
Paving, paths and block paving can be rejuvenated easily by jet washing, which will remove any dirt and green mould that has built up over the years.
Block paving will need to have silver sand swept into it once it has been jet washed to make it look as good as new.
Step 6: Structural Changes
Once the garden has been tidied and knocked into shape, it is worth giving some thought as to whether any structural changes will improve the selling potential of the house.
Perhaps a well-built and sited patio, a large lawn area or the removal of a pond may help make your property more appealing to a larger market. All of these options would obviously involve some financial investment and need to be judged as to how much impact any changes will have on the future saleability of the property.
Step 7: Regular Work
One of the most important things to remember is not to underestimate how much work a garden needs to stay in good shape.
Don’t leave it until it is beyond repair, instead work on it regularly to keep it in good form.
