HOME sales experts have revealed that having a nice garden can add thousands of pounds to the value of your property and help you sell your house quicker.
After months of lockdown, mortgage brokers and estate agents are reporting house buyers have now made having a garden a top priority. And they are predicting a rise in the price of properties with gardens.
Recent research by mortgage broker firstmortgage.co.uk showed that more than half – 55 per cent – of people in Scotland said that a garden is the most important thing they would consider when buying a home.
The Sellhousefast.uk website also said that a garden can “add anywhere between 5-20% to the value of a property.”
Cardwell director, Kieran Gallagher said: “A garden is a wonderful addition to any home, as it’s a place where people can relax and enjoy themselves whether they’re tending the garden, or just sitting outside in the fresh air.
“Having a nice garden has never been more important if you are selling your house. They say first impressions count and the first thing someone will see when they come to view your home is the garden.
“Investing a small amount of money at Cardwell Garden Centre to make sure your garden is in tip-top condition and looking good can lead to a quick sale and thousands of pounds being added to the value of your home.”
Cardwell’s horticultural expert, Brian Hawthorn has compiled a few handy hints in making sure your garden impresses any prospective buyers. He says:
“It’s an obvious thing to say, but make sure your lawn is well cut and the edges are neatly trimmed. It’s also worth looking out the hedge trimmers to get some nice clean lines along the length of your hedges and bushes.
“And of course, get rid of any unsightly weeds that have appeared over the summer.
“Planters and plant pots filled with flowers are ideal for breaking up large areas of patio or paving that can look quite harsh if there is nothing colourful and attractive to catch the viewers eye.
“Any tired-looking plants in your flower beds should be replaced at this time of year with bright flowering plants like hydrangeas, chrysanthemums and dahlias.
“It’s also a good idea to spread flower beds and borders with composted bark as a mulch, as this not only supresses weeds, but also increases soil fertility and makes the place look neat and tidy.”
Brian adds: “When it comes to pathways it’s worth topping up the chuckie stones, granite or flint, so there aren’t any bare patches on your garden walkways.
“If you have mono-blocking, paving stones, or concrete slabs make sure they get a good clean before someone comes to view your home. Many people will simply power wash their mono-block paths and driveways, but that method of cleaning can remove the coating on the bricks and wash away the binding sand between the bricks.
“I prefer to spray the brick and stonework with Patio Magic, or the similar, but organic version of a mono-block cleaner, called Algon. These cleaners that you dilute with water before use, will also kill off weeds and moss growing between the brick or stonework. You can buy and inexpensive attachment for your watering can called a sprinkler bar and that gives an even distribution of the solution.
“However, if you’re suddenly hit with an unexpected house viewing at short notice, you can still get rid of the weeds on your mono block paving by scraping along the spaces with a weeding knife, or special wire brushes made specifically for this task.
Brian continues: “Now you’ve taken care of the groundwork, it’s time to make sure your fence, garage, or shed doesn’t let the side down. A lick of paint, varnish, or stain will have them looking like new. Even giving your clothes poles out the back door a new covering of metallic paint can make a difference. I just love the British racing green colour for clothes poles. It reminds me of the good old days when grannie used to hang out her washing several times a week!
“It’s also worth inspecting the garden furniture to paint over rusty chair and table legs and you can also give the seat covers a scrub, or a power wash to remove the grime that gets built with being left outside.
“And don’t forget your house number. If it’s been on your outside wall for years, then a shiny new one will also help create a good first impression.”
Kieran said: “Whatever you need to ensure your garden makes a good impression on any potential house buyer, you can get it at Cardwell. And if you’ve any questions, all you have to do is ask one of our helpful staff who are more than happy to give you good advice.”
