Boost house prices £8,600 by gardening
Britons could add £8,600 to the value of their property by putting their garden in order - but most simply do not bother.
A new survey from MasterCard shows that the people who moved house last year could have boosted the amount they sold their home for by £5.9 billion collectively if they had paid more attention to their outside space - but the majority of them did not.
Two home movers in three might have made more money if they had done some digging before putting their home on the market, even though almost half of Britons describe themselves as active gardeners.
"Gardens are becoming an increasingly important part of the home and as such, their value is also increasing," said television gardener Diarmuid Gavin.
"For the first time, we have proof that pulling on your wellies and getting your hands dirty can not only make you healthier, fitter and happier, it can also make you richer."
And the economics make sense.
Calculations from MasterCard show that every £100 spent on the garden could potentially add £350 to the value of the property, with specific improvements adding even more.
The new study shows that decking can add up to £2,500 to a property value, with a water feature putting an extra £1,495 on a house price.
Patio areas done properly boost house prices by up to £2,100, while good landscaping can increase a selling price by £6,200.
This means getting the garden in order is worth more than a new bathroom, which adds £1,600, or a having a well-equipped kitchen (£2,400).
But it is not just our own gardens that impact house prices.
Some 71 per cent of Britons said they could be put off buying a home by an untidy garden next door.
Diarmuid's tips for making your garden grow in value
- Clean and tidy. Garden novices looking for an instant improvement should first get rid of any rubbish and junk lying around, such as that punctured paddling pool and broken washing line. In addition, small changes to boundaries like fences, hedges and trellises, will frame your garden and give it impact so clip hedges and repair and repaint fences and trellises where necessary. Remove clothes from the washing line and tidy the clothes line away. Invest in a rake to clear up any debris and improve the look of your garden. Farm out any pets such as rabbits, including the hutch.
- Pay attention to your lawn. Freshly mown lawns speak volumes, so make sure you regularly mow the grass. Using an edger will give a professional finish. By purchasing a hoe you can weed any beds, trim back overgrown and straggly plants and dig up old or diseased shrubs that have had their day and dig over the soil. Freshly dug soil plus a neat lawn will instantly give you a decent looking garden, no matter what plants you have or have not got.
- Give your patio a facelift. A porch or patio can be one of the most useful exterior areas of your home. Unfortunately these spaces are all too often covered with excess junk and bland concrete which as well as looking rather dull and dreary, may have developed cracks over time. Restoring such areas to a place you would be proud to use for entertaining or just relaxing may seem like a daunting task. Consider hiring a power hose to clean up dirty areas. Paving can be expensive, but gravel offers an inexpensive alternative and offers an instant facelift. With a little thought given to landscaping, a patio can become a great outdoor dining space and offers potential buyers an extra room. Remember you are trying to sell an aspirational lifestyle - borrow a good suite of garden furniture to adorn your patio and add some pots freshly planted with bulbs, scented herbs and flowering herbaceous plants.
- Create a memorable focal point. A focal point is your centre, the main attraction of your garden. For example, a tree decorated with flowers at its base, gorgeous views off your back porch, maybe a wooden bench or even a water feature, can all bring serious added value. Wooden benches, sundials or bird baths can all be purchased at relatively low cost, to create a new and interesting garden feature.
- Low maintenance plants can give a high return on investment. Estate agents value a well-stocked, mature garden when pricing a home. So it's a good idea to make stocking your garden with flowers an early priority. Easy-to-maintain plants such as evergreen shrubs like lavender, rosemary, skimmia, euonymus and viburnums are a good choice to buy as they grow quickly, need little care and attention and mix well with bulbs and bedding plants. It's also the one time when forest bark mulch over everything is a real advantage. For day to day gardening it's an expensive indulgence but here it can hide a multitude of sins. Bright green leaves against really dark mulch can look fantastic.
- Water your garden. This will make everything sparkly and has the same effect outdoors as a fire lit in a fireplace indoors.
Comments
Newsletter sign up