Garden must-haves for buyers
| Published: 27th January 2008 11:44 |
Thanks to garden makeover TV programmes, more people than ever are getting creative with their landscaping skills. If you have it in you to create a gorgeous garden, you can increase the appeal of your home to future buyers and even add resell value. However, if your creative side is lacking a sense of style, you could seriously put buyers off.
If you are contemplating a garden makeover, you should think beyond your personal tastes and consider what features any future buyers of your property would like. Playing it safe and sticking to what most people want from a garden is a sensible first step.
In a survey to find out the nation's favoured garden features, Halifax Estate Agents found that mature shrubs and trees coupled with a paved patio area are the most wanted. At the bottom of the list - and the potentially most off putting features - are general rubbish and mess caused by family pets.
When asked which garden features people would be attracted to in a property, almost two-thirds of people chose established shrubs and trees (63 per cent). Over half (58 per cent) said a flagged patio area would increase the appeal and almost as many (57 per cent) said a garden shed or greenhouse.
Rose gardens and water features also proved popular, with 42 per cent and 43 per cent respectively indicating they would be impressed by these features. However, if you have a home that will attract buyers with young children, water features may turn out to be more of a turn-off.
Just over a third (37 per cent) of people said decking would be attractive, placing it sixth on the list. It proved more popular with younger adults, with well over half (54 per cent) of 16 to 24-year-olds saying they would be attracted by it. This figure fell to 20 per cent for those aged over 65.
General rubbish proved to be the nation's biggest turn-off, with over two-thirds of people (67 per cent) saying it would put them off the garden of a prospective property. Close behind was mess from dogs or cats (59 per cent). The survey also found that privacy is important when it comes to choosing a garden. Over four in 10 (43 per cent) of people surveyed said being overlooked by neighbours was undesirable.
When it comes to gnomes, like Marmite, people either love them or hate them. Before you invite gnomes to set up home in your garden, be warned that these harmless little figures have the potential to put off 17 per cent of buyers. This figure rises to 24 per cent for those aged between 55 and 64. Only nine per cent said gnomes would attract them.
No matter which features you choose to have in your garden, there are a number of simple tips you can follow to help enhance its buyer appeal. Ensure shrubs, trees and hedges are kept trim. This will not only enhance the appearance, but will maximise the light your garden gets and show buyers that your garden is well cared for.
Weed any flowerbeds regularly and keep grass well mown. If you have a dog, encourage it to urinate away from the grass to avoid bleached out patches.
Ensure woodwork, including fencing, decking and sheds, is well cared for and adequately weather treated. This will help freshen the look of your garden as well as helping to preserve the wood and avoid costly repairs.
If you have a patio area coved in dirt or moss, try using a pressure washer to clean it up.
If you are selling your home, spruce up your patio or decking by adding a colour-co-ordinated selection of potted plants. When you move, you can always take them with you.
COPYRIGHT: "This material is the copyright of Free Features Ltd and must not be used for any purpose other than intended - ie for publication with the associated sponsor's material. It cannot be sold or used for any commercial purpose outside the terms and conditions that form the contract of registration to this site."
