Before you lament about the amount of rain we’ve had this summer, remember the old adage ‘it’s good for the garden’. In fact, the wet conditions may help budgets as well as flower beds, if new research is anything to go by.
Outside spaces are looking rather lush and this can be a distinct advantage for anyone selling their property or thinking of coming to market imminently. A survey of 1,521 UK homebuyers by Home Sale Pack found 68% of purchasers admitted good outside space appealed more in the summer, when compared to winter.
More importantly, buyers are so seasonally influenced by great gardens that almost 40% would make a higher offer for a property with impressive outdoor space in the summer, when compared to purchasing in the winter.
Although 90% of property purchasers considered outdoor space to be a notable feature when house hunting, it’s clear there is a distinct advantage to selling your home in summer when shrubs, lawns and flowers are at their best.
The one plant that adds value
Although most plants add appeal and contribute to local biodiversity, there is one specimen that is highly desirable. Wisteria is repeatedly named as the plant that impresses buyers the most, with a report in The Telegraph even suggesting this climber with pretty lilac flowers can add as much as £10,000 to a home’s value.
Red flag species to avoid
While the presence of wisteria may have buyers upping their offer, there are a number of plants that can devalue a home if identified by a surveyor. Invasive species, such as Japanese knotweed, running bamboo, Himalayan balsam, purple pampas grass, Spanish bluebell and some rhododendrons, can decrease a home’s value by up to 20%.
Tidy up tips
When Home Sale Pack asked purchasers to identify their most favoured elements and features in a garden, the standard of maintenance came out on top. Buyers are looking for well-kept lawns, trees and flower beds. Therefore, regular mowing, weeding and pruning is often enough to make a good impression. We also recommend sweeping up any fallen leaves, ensuring patios and decks are clear of slippery moss, removing pots that contain dead plants and tidying away garden toys.
Dress to impress
If you are welcoming potential buyers to your home and the weather is favourable, take a leaf out of interior stylists’ books and dress your outside space to illustrate its full potential. Set up garden furniture, being sure to add seat pads, cushions and decorative elements including outdoor rugs and throws. You could take the aesthetic to the next level by laying the table for lunch, or by using props, such as candles, lanterns, a vase of flowers or pot of herbs, to add life and colour to outside areas.
If you’re thinking of selling your home and want to take advantage of your garden’s summer appeal, instruct us now. We can take a set of marketing photographs while your outside space is in bloom. Get in touch and we can make an immediate start.
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