Preparing your garden for a sale…

The garden is an important feature of any home, and can play a significant part in securing the sale of a property.

When viewing a property, people still judge a book by its cover and first impressions can make or break a deal. If you have a front garden of any kind then it is the first thing that people are going to see, so you need to think of your ‘kerb appeal’.

It goes without saying that the front of the property should be clean and tidy, with hedges or foliage trimmed back, grass cut and any dead plants and weeds removed. If there is a front gate and /or fence then give it a lick of paint, especially if it hasn’t seen one for a while. Remember that any signs of neglect to the outside of the property could make potential buyers think twice about what awaits them on the inside.

When it comes to the main garden, buyers like plenty of outdoor space but crucially they don’t want anything that is going to be too high maintenance, so there is no need to over do it. A few containers of seasonal plants can help to add an instant splash of colour, while a hanging basket or two can break up any bland paint work or helpfully hide any defects on the exterior walls.

A patio comes a close second to a lawn in the most desirable features for house hunters. Obviously if your house is already on the market then building a patio isn’t going to be practical or cost-effective, but it may be worth considering as an investment if you are thinking of selling further down the line. In the mean time, you will have somewhere pleasant to sit out and enjoy the garden.

When you have given your garden its make-over, make the most of the first bright and sunny day to take some decent photographs. That way, it doesn’t matter what time of year you decide to sell the property, when you come to market the property, you will always have your garden looking at its best.