When it comes to putting your house on the market, an attractive garden can bring in offers well above the asking price – and ultimately clinch a sale.
After all, just a couple of simple and affordable improvements could boost the value by up to 16 per cent, according to estate agents Martin & Co. For the average property price in England, costing £299,000, that’s an extra £48,000 in the bank.
However, it’s just as easy to make a few silly mistakes in your garden that could wipe up to 50 per cent off the property’s value.
Ciar Byrne, the Mail’s gardening editor, along with established agents, has rounded up the top gardening features that could significantly increase the value of your home – and the devaluing mishaps to avoid.
Whimsical wisteria: Adds up to £5,000
Purple wisteria cascading down the front of your home can wow prospective buyers
If you time it right, you can wow prospective buyers with a haze of purple wisteria cascading down the front of your house. But this is going to take some planning. Aim to put your house on the market in late spring when this vigorous climber flowers. Plant from October to April up a sunny south or west-facing wall.
‘Whimsical wisteria certainly adds to the saleability of a home,’ says Neelay Jivan, senior branch partner at Felicity J. Lord estate agents. ‘It can significantly enhance the curb appeal and value of your property.’
Neat lawn: Adds up to £50,000
Keeping your lawn looking good will give the impression that your property is cared for
Keeping your lawn looking good will give prospective house buyers the impression that your property is cared for. ‘For the right space, an attractive garden can be valued the same as extra room,’ says Jivan. ‘In warmer climates, outstanding outside space can offer an extra living space. A manicured garden is worth minimum £25,000 to a seller.’
A private sanctuary: Adds up to £15,000
Introducing a screen of bamboo can make a garden feel like a sanctuary
Gardens are our sanctuary and when people are buying a home, they don’t want to feel overlooked. You can create a screen by planting bamboo in a large Corten steel container. Or plant a small, attractive tree such as an Amelanchier to divert the view. ‘Buyers are often looking for private, tranquil outdoor spaces where they can relax without feeling overlooked,’ Jivan agrees.
Garden room: Adds up to 15 per cent
Introducing a garden room can add as much as 15 per cent to the price of a property
Most garden rooms are classed as outbuildings, meaning you don’t need planning permission and they can be multifunctional spaces for work, relaxation, or exercise.
Experts at Martin & Co estimate that a garden room can add as much as 15 per cent to the price of a property. Joanna Cocking, head of private office at Hamptons, says: ‘An aesthetically pleasing garden undoubtedly enhances the saleability of a property. However, it is the tangible, physical assets such as garden offices and summer houses that truly add value.’
Good storage: Adds up to £10,000
A shed offers buyers room to store tools, bikes and outdoor toys
Everyone wants room to store tools, bikes, and outdoor toys to keep their garden clutter free. Sheds should be secure and well-maintained and if they are painted a tasteful shade such as olive green or grey, all the better.
‘If the shed is painted in tasteful shades like olive green or grey, it can further blend with the garden’s aesthetics,’ Jivan, of Felicity J. Lord, suggests. ‘Such additions can add value to a home, typically increasing its worth by around £5,000 to £10,000, depending on the overall quality and integration with the garden.’
Entertaining space: Adds up to £20,000
A large patio, offering plenty of room to sit in the garden is very desirable
Having plenty of room to sit out in the garden and entertain family and friends is hugely desirable. Materials such as York stone pavers are a popular choice for their warm, honeyed tones.
‘Depending on the size, design and materials used, such improvements can add approximately £10,000 to £20,000 to the property’s overall value,’ says Jivan. ‘This estimate may vary based on location, market trends and the quality of the outdoor entertaining area.’
Minimal design: Adds up to 15 per cent
Classic and simple improvements reduce maintenance concerns for buyers
After the tiring business of moving house, most people don’t want to have to do a lot of work to the garden. When making improvements to your outdoor space make sure to keep features classic but simple. Jivan says: ‘Embracing minimalism in garden design can effectively contribute to higher house values by appealing to a broader audience, reducing maintenance concerns and enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal and functionality of outdoor spaces.’
Water feature: Adds up to £10,000
A water feature can add a sense of calm and tranquillity to a property
A pond can add a sense of calm and tranquillity to a garden, making it more attractive to prospective buyers, while running water can help to mask noise from busy roads nearby. You can buy off-the-shelf ponds and water features from your local garden centre and install them relatively easily. Plant water lilies in baskets filled with aquatic compost to add a touch of instant glamour. Jivan suggests: ‘Incorporating a water feature like a pond can be a worthwhile investment, enhancing both the aesthetic appeal and potential value of your home, especially for buyers who value outdoor tranquillity and natural beauty.’
Outdoor kitchen: Adds up to 10 per cent
With the recent trend for al fresco cooking, an outdoor kitchen can be a great investment
There has been a trend in recent years for bringing cooking and dining outside with pizza ovens, electric barbecues and open-air sinks. An outdoor kitchen can be a considerable investment, so make sure you use durable materials and don’t try to pack too much in.
‘A balanced design that complements the overall style of your home and landscape is key to maximising the value added by an outdoor barbecue area,’ says Jivan. ‘It will always have a buyer imagining oneself cooking outside while family and friends are around and that image is priceless.’
Tidy appearance: Adds up to £5,000
Making sure your garden is weed-free and not too bare looking is crucial
First impressions are everything. Make sure your front garden is weed free but not too bare looking. Add plants as a welcome. This can be as simple as a couple of pots by the front door with glossy evergreen balls or cheerful annuals.
‘First impressions are crucial in real estate and a well-maintained front garden sets a positive tone for potential buyers. It’s the first and last thing that a potential might see,’ says Jivan.
TAKING AWAY VALUE:
Creeping Ivy: Devalues by up to £1,500
If there’s too much ivy, buyers might worry that it’s going to get into the mortar of the house
Ivy can look romantic in a garden and have a beneficial cooling effect, as well as being a good habitat for wildlife. But if there is too much of it, prospective buyers might worry that it is going to get into cracks in the mortar of the house, damage trees, or pull fences down under its weight. To avoid devaluing your property, keep ivy to a minimum, for instance, as a decorative trailing plant in hanging baskets, and don’t let it get out of hand.
‘Repairing an entire fence can be expensive, so damage from unkept ivy can open the door to further negotiation,’ warns Jivan. ‘To avoid devaluing your property, it’s advisable to keep ivy controlled and limited in the garden.’
Large trees: Devalues by up to £10,000
Large trees can cause disputes between neighbours due to overhanging branches
Having a garden with large trees can be lovely, but it can also cause disputes between neighbours due to overhanging branches, reduced light, and the fear they could be brought down in a storm, causing damage to a property. Rather than get rid of them altogether, consult a tree surgeon on how the canopy can be brought down safely.
Too perfect: Devalues by up to £2,000
A too perfect garden can make buyers think that it will take up time and money to maintain
If you have lavished lots of love and attention on your garden, you might think that it will win people over, but in fact the opposite could be true. ‘Perhaps surprisingly, it’s gardens that showcase real horticulture that often deter buyers,’ says Cocking. ‘Prospective buyers will view them as a potential burden due to the anticipated maintenance and when it’s really big, staffing requirements. This is particularly evident when selling larger country homes lived in by retirees who have meticulously tended to their garden – they have created an idyllic outdoor space but, for younger people poor of time, it’s seen as both a time and money pit.’
In his valuation, Jivan adds: ‘The right buyer will love the garden as it is. However, if it close to walking through exhibitions at the RHS Chelsea Flower show then that can be daunting.’
Giant hedges: Devalues by up to £25,000
Giant hedges can block out sunlight and make it difficult to grow anything underneath
There was a fashion for planting a type of hedge known as Leyland cypresses in the 1970s and 80s. Many of these have now grown into towering specimens that block out the sunlight, making it difficult for anything to grow underneath. If you can, cut them down altogether, or at least trim them radically.
Jivan adds: ‘If a home lacks light due to an overgrown hedge, then the entire property can be de-valued. This reduces the usable space in the garden and limits landscaping options, which may detract from the overall appeal of the property.
‘Addressing oversized hedges proactively can help improve the aesthetics and functionality of the garden while potentially increasing the marketability and value of the property.’
Unsecured garden: Devalues by up to £2,500
An unsecured garden can make buyers think that it will allow thieves to steal property
No one wants uninvited visitors to their back garden, particularly if it is used as a place to store bikes and pricey tools. Gates and sheds that don’t lock and broken fencing that can be easily hopped over could detract from the value of your property, so make sure everything is ship-shape and secure.
‘Addressing security concerns and ensuring everything is ship-shape and secure can help preserve or increase the value of your property while providing peace of mind to future homeowners,’ says Jivan.
Completely overgrown: Devalues by up to £10,000
Overgrown gardens can suggest that the house itself might not be properly maintained
Front gardens covered in weeds and back gardens that are a mass of brambles give a poor first impression and suggest the house itself may not be properly maintained. It is worth investing the time to clear your flower beds, mow those lawns, and put down a weed suppressing mulch.
Jivan says: ‘First impressions count and overgrown gardens gives the appearance of lack of care throughout.’
Japanese knotweed: Devalues by up to 50%
Japanese knotweed can come with big repercussions if it is left untamed
This first came to the UK as an ornamental plant, but soon turned into an invasive weed. It dies back in winter and reappears as reddish shoots in spring, growing into tall bamboo-like canes more than 2m high in summer. House sellers have a legal duty to declare if it is on their property and it can come with big repercussions if left untamed.
‘Lenders will not touch the property without seeing a history of treatment,’ Jivan urges.
Garden gnomes: Devalues by up to £5,000
Garden gnomes may not be to everyone’s taste, so it might be best to put them into storage
I am rather partial to garden gnomes and think they are due a comeback, but that is not an opinion shared by everyone.
‘Opting for a more minimalist approach to garden decor, focusing on quality over quantity is key,’ says Jivan. ‘On viewings, we do not want to be tiptoeing around garden gnomes.’
Concrete patios: Devalues by up to £5,000
Chipped and broken concrete can make your outside space look second rate
These days concrete can be very fashionable, but the older sort of pavers that come in Neapolitan shades of pink and yellow are very dating. If they are chipped or broken that makes it even worse. There are plenty of more stylish paving stones available that don’t need to break the bank and will make your patio look des res rather than second rate.
Jivan advises: ‘By investing in stylish and quality paving stones, you can transform your patio into a desirable feature that adds value to your property and appeals to potential buyers. If that is not an option, a jet wash can show buyers you are taking care of the home inside and out.’
Flooded areas: Devalues by up to 50 per cent
If a garden is flooded, buyers will worry that water will get into a house after heavy rains
Flooding in gardens can be a major deterrent as buyers will worry about water getting into the house after heavy rains. Try building a swale garden to act as a soak away or planting alders and willows which take up ground water through their roots.
‘If water enters the property, it can cause costly ramifications impacting the perceived value and attractiveness of the property, says Jivan. ‘Implement safeguards to deter any further negotiation. Surveyors are also going to be very cautious when advising on potential risks of water damage.’
