Growing appeal

 

With summer finally here, we are now getting the opportunity to enjoy our gardens and make the most of the good weather. With more and more advertising campaigns telling us to abandon the traditional garden Gnome and revamp our outside living space; we examine if refurbishing your garden can really add value to your property.

According to figures from Homebase, Britons have invested more than £80bn on their gardens by investing in luxury items, such as hot tubs, BBQs, pizza ovens, fire pits, summer houses, swimming pools and trampolines. Yes, fun outdoor products can be great for socialising, but can they really increase the value of your property'

Unfortunately, the answer is no. Whilst an attractive garden can add £1000s to the selling price, spending huge sums on extravagant garden features can be a waste of money once you come to sell your property.

A luxurious swimming pool might sound like it would add value to your property. However, unless your home is at the top end of the market, the cost of running a swimming pool will put off most buyers; with some outdoor swimming pools even devaluing a property.

So how can you make the most out of your outside space' Below are 7 simple tips to help you improve your garden and attract potential buyers, without breaking the bank.

1. First of all, if you have any plans to build an extension, make sure you leave plenty of outside space. Whether it's a cottage, family home, townhouse or flat, buyers will always ask about the outside space available. It can be much harder to sell a property during the summer period if it doesn’t have a garden and with Londoners looking to settle in the suburbs, outside space is often a main requirement. However, if car parking is at a premium in your area, it may also pay to lose a little of your front garden.

2. A simple lawn is considered the most desirable garden feature among house hunters and a must for anyone selling a family home. Grass is now much more than a decorative feature, with a large number of people using the lawn as a children’s play area.

3. Create distinct areas for each function; seating, eating/barbecue, storage, lawn, work area. Use your space effectively and make the most out of the extra ‘room’ in the house.

4. With the rise in garden renovation shows, more and more people have incorporated garden ornaments into their landscaped design. However, most of us are aware that a simple, minimalist layout can help sell a house...the same goes for your garden.

5. If you are going to include a garden feature, invest in a shed. One in five men specifically look for a shed in a garden when considering a new home and with families struggling for space in a property, a shed can act as extra secure storage....just make sure you lock it!

6. Unfortunately, some gardens can be open to other neighbouring houses. Why not try and create more privacy by growing a hedge or trees to create a more secluded plot.

7. You don’t have to resort to the expense of a landscape gardener. Basic weeding, pruning and planting are likely to have the desired effect when attracting potential buyers.

If you are planning on spending any money on your garden, make sure you are properly insured. Unfortunately, there were nearly 1.4 million thefts from gardens and outside spaces last year. According to Lloyds TSB Insurance, 43% of home owners do not have proper locks on their gardens.

For more blogs and updates from Winkworth Winchester visit http://www.winkworth.co.uk/estate-agents/winchester