How your garden can help you sell your house

There are many things that can help your house stand out from the competition in an estate agent’s window or website listing. One is a well-maintained, interesting garden. It can even help increase the value of your property. Potential buyers can be put off an untidy or neglected garden, as they envisage having to spend time and money putting it right. On the other hand, a well-designed garden can help buyers imagine themselves sitting out there with a glass of wine after dinner, or doing a spot of light weeding in the orderly flower beds.

Making your garden compliment your house and set it up for a lucrative sale can be done in surprisingly little time, and at a wallet-pleasing cost. Here are some tips to get you started.

• First impressions

The first thing that viewers will notice on arrival at your property is the front door. Besides making sure it is clean, doesn’t stick and is in good repair, you can use your garden to frame it in as pleasing a way as possible. Remove any weeds or long grass from the front path and think about adding some plants or solar lights to lead people’s eye up to the door. Install some hanging baskets or climbing plants to soften the hard lines of the door and add floral interest from the start. Lanterns can also look very striking, especially in the autumn and winter months, as can strategically placed uplights.

• Wash and brush-up

However keen a gardener you may be, there are times when we all feel less inclined to weed, plant, dig, water and mow. However, when your house is on the market, it is not the right time to ignore your outdoor space. So, repair broken fences, fix creaking gates, give the garden furniture a scrub, pull up the weeds, jet wash the patio and feed the lawn. In other words, give your garden the same care and attention as your indoor space.

• Get rid of the rubbish

In the same vein, it is vital to get rid of any rubbish, broken items and other eyesores. Viewers may not be able to look past them to see the potential of the rest of the garden; Things like rusty barbecues, broken toys, twisted swings and bags of rubbish waiting to go to the tip are all things that must be removed well before a viewing takes place. It goes without saying that anything that you have removed from the house to recycle or throw away must not be flung into the garden awaiting further attention. Deal with such items immediately to keep your outdoor areas looking tidy and clutter-free.

• Colour and interest

Eye-catching colour will always draw attention in the garden and could detract from areas that are not quite so aesthetically pleasing. You could add some seasonal interest by popping out for some bright and cheerful new bedding plants from the garden centre in time for your next viewing appointment. Appeal to multiple senses by adding fragrant herb pots or swishing ornamental; grasses to the picture. If you prefer not to buy too new many plants just before you plan to move out, give the fence, table or bird table an upcycle instead with some colourful exterior paint.

• Water, water everywhere

People love hearing the sound of cascading water. While your garden may not be large enough for a full-scale fountain, there are many beautiful smaller water features available to buy that will give your garden a tranquil, soothing effect. You could add a bird bath to demonstrate your love for local wildlife. Don’t forget to water your plants and lawn, especially during the hotter summer months to keep them looking fresh, verdant and alive

• Super storage

Decent storage is just as important outside as it is indoors. A shed, outhouse or garden room can add value to the property by giving the illusion of additional space, as well as providing a discreet place to hide garden tools, mowers, outdoor toys, logs and bags of compost. Again, outdoor storage options can lead buyers to envisage where they might store their own garden equipment, or even create their own outdoor haven to relax on a summer’s evening.