EVERYONE wants to make the best impression when showing their home to potential buyers – and your garden can be key to that.
Many sellers may not even realize that simple adjustments can improve their sales figures from home worth tens of thousands of pounds.
For example, tidying up well garden and replacing your fencing can increase the amount people are willing to offer.
That's what Luke Saywell, partner at Nottinghamshire real estate agents Gascoines.
He said: “Whether you are a passionate gardener or will never have a green thumb, having an outdoor space is one of the most important requirements for homeowners.
“But the way you present your garden can mean the difference between getting the maximum value for your home or trading it up.
“There are a number of changes you can make to ensure you get the best price for your property.”
Here are five simple gardening adjustments and how much they can add to your garden real estate prices.
Plus, we explain what mistakes to avoid when creating these solutions.
Well-manicured gardens – up to £3,000
While it may seem simple, one of the most attractive features for potential buyers is a neat garden.
Luke said: “A well-maintained garden is attractive to buyers because they don't see it as an extra chore that they have to be responsible for if they move on top of the house.
“For many, a garden is a place to retreat to the sunshine and unmown lawns, overgrown weeds and general clutter you wanted to bring to the tip, which can leave a buyer scrambling for cash.”
Renovating your garden doesn't have to cost a fortune.
Think twice before hiring an expensive gardener to do this easy chores that you can do yourself.
It's amazing how much of a difference a good cleanup can make and costs nothing more than a little elbow grease.
Luke said, “Register with you local tip is free, removing weeds only requires a little elbow grease, and general cleaning only requires a little time and a broom.”
Collect the blown-in litter, piles of leaves and any weeds that are creeping through the ground or paving.
If you have grass in your front yard, mowing it will immediately improve the appearance of your home.
How to Save Money on Gardening
Giving your garden a makeover doesn't have to cost a fortune.
When you feel inspired, Olivia Marshall explains how to revamp your outdoor space on a budget.
CHEAP AND CHEERFUL
Choose perennial plants to get the most bang for your buck. These last year after year, so you only pay once.
Lavender is a very low maintenance plant and you can buy a small plant for around €5.
Once established, it requires very little water and no feeding.
USE ALTERNATIVES
Coffee grounds provide a nutrient boost for the soil.
If you don't use them at home, ask your local coffee shop.
Many small outlets are happy to give old sites away for free rather than throwing them away.
Old fruit, vegetable peels and eggshells are also present food for plants.
Instead of throwing them away, you can make a small compost pile or mix them into the soil.
PLANT A SEED
Seeds are usually much cheaper to purchase than plants.
Wilko, B&M and The Range are a good place to look for bargains.
If you have friends with an established garden, why not ask them for cuttings? This is called propagation.
Once you get the cutting, all you need to do is keep it in a sunny spot indoors, in clean water.
When roots begin to form, it is ready for planting.
SHOP SMART
Go to the garden center in late summer and early fall, when supplies are most likely to be cleared out and the price of stock reduced to make room for the next season.
Remove large trees – up to £5,000
Trees can really divide opinion among buyers.
Some people see them as essential for providing privacy, but others will see them as something they need to maintain.
Luke said: “Depending on the size of the outdoor space, removing large trees can show how much of a garden there is to offer.
“Many buyers are put off by the maintenance required for large trees. Fruit trees in particular are not attractive because the fallen fruit can become moldy and need to be cleaned up.”
But you should think twice before trying to cut down a tree yourself as it can be quite dangerous.
With this in mind, you may want to consider having a qualified tree surgeon do the job for you.
According to research, it can cost between €1,189.90 and €1,713.46 to cut down a tree up to 15 meters tall. Checked.
Luke added: “While investing in a tree surgeon to do the job right isn't cheap, the increased space can significantly increase the price people are willing to pay.
“Similarly, removing trees outside helps open up the space inside as it is brighter and lighter.”
Replacing low fences – up to £3,000
If you decide to remove some trees, you will need a solid fence to protect the privacy of your garden.
So if you have a low fence, Luke said it's worth getting a taller fence.
“The fencing at the back of a property can be up to 2.5 meters long, but often homeowners have fences as low as about ten metres, which makes you much more likely to feel overlooked,” he added to.
“If you have already installed the fence posts, replacing the panels with larger ones can be as cheap as £30 to £40 each. Do it yourself stores, but can make the difference between securing a higher price from a buyer.”
Improve storage – up to £4,000
Everyone knows that having internal storage space is an attractive asset to any home, but it is important not to neglect external storage either.
Luke said: “If you're adding storage it's important that you make sure it's proportionate to your space.
“Not everyone will have a lot of garden tools to store in a large shed, but having somewhere to store extra items gives buyers the feeling they have the full package: a great garden and a place to store the accessories.”
Sheds come in many shapes and sizes, including slimline for smaller outdoor spaces, or outdoor boxes are a solution that is as cheap as it is effective.
Don't make the mistake of choosing a shed that is too large for your garden as you risk making the space seem small.
And make sure you don't neglect your household waste bins.
If they are kept in your garden, a rubbish bin can help make it more aesthetically pleasing.
In the meantime we will announce it what will happen to house prices in 2024.
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