Get your home sale-ready by sprucing up the garden

24 Apr 2019 Get your home sale-ready by sprucing up the garden

If you’re getting ready to sell your home, make sure you don’t neglect your garden.

The outdoor space which comes with your property could be the key to attracting potential buyers. National Gardening Week, which runs from Monday, April 29 to Sunday, May 5 is the ideal time to pay attention to your garden and make sure it is sending the right message to people who are interested in your home.

  1. Keep it tidy

It sounds ridiculously simple but make sure you clear your garden of weeds and rubbish and keep on top of mowing the lawn. Many people are so busy with all the other jobs involved in moving house that they forget about garden maintenance. An overgrown or messy garden will give potential buyers the wrong impression and can make the whole property appear scruffy, even if the interior is immaculate. Trim any hedges or bushes and remove or replace any plants which look a bit tired or neglected. Remember many people will have a sneaky peek at properties before they go for their viewing appointment so your front garden may well be the thing that makes them decide whether it is actually worth considering. It is particularly important to make sure your garden looks great in the photographs which are uploaded onto property websites as a poorly-maintained garden can be a deal-breaker for many people.

 

  1. Go minimal by using storage

When potential buyers look at a garden, they want to get a good idea of the space so they can imagine how they will use it themselves. Keep outdoor furniture, toys and ornaments to a minimum unless you feel they really add to the ambience of the space. Put any items you remove from your garden in self storage while viewings are taking place. Don’t be tempted to just stuff everything into your shed, garage or loft as people looking around your home are likely to want to view those areas too. In fact, take this as a good opportunity to remove the clutter and grime from your garden shed, greenhouse and garage too so they are attractive, functional spaces which help add to the appeal of your property rather than detract from it. If you usually park your car in your garage, pop it on the street for viewings so people can appreciate the space.

 

  1. Add splashes of colour

If you are looking to move house, you probably won’t want to start any major gardening projects but adding some colourful tubs and hanging baskets can make your home seem brighter and more cheerful. Buy co-ordinating planters to avoid your outdoor area looking like a hotchpotch of different styles. Remember you can take your planters with you when you move so it may be worth investing in some attractive ones which add to the look of your garden.

 

  1. Cover any wasted areas

If your garden has any scruffy, redundant areas which let it down, cover them with stones or chippings so it looks tidy, professional and easy to maintain. There are a lot of different options to choose from, including pebbles, bark, granite or flint so choose one which suits the existing space and your budget. This is a quick and simple way of tidying up paths and borders and preventing weeds from growing.

 

  1. Light it up

You may well find that some of your house viewings take place after dusk which can make it challenging to show off your outdoor space. Add some lighting to your garden to help make the most of your garden in the evenings and help them imagine living there. You can buy solar lights fairly cheaply and many of them look very pretty even when they are not lit up. If you have some trees in your garden, make sure they are looking their best with some uplighters. Outdoor lighting with a motion sensor can also be very useful if you don’t already have it in place.

 

  1. Get out the jet wash

Buy or borrow a pressure washer and jet wash and clean any paved areas or decking as well as steps and driveway. You could also wash any PVC facings on your home so they are spick and span.

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