Did you know that a landscape garden could boost your property’s value
Post Office Money reports that landscaping your garden boosts your property value with over 70%. When planning to sell a property you also consider the upgrades you could bring to add it more value. Surprisingly, your garden may not be one of them because you had no idea an outdoor space can add extensive value. But what if we tell you that if you landscape your garden it adds more value than upgrading the kitchen? Planting flower beds, building a patio, and adding new water features can boost your property’s sell value.
The average cost of garden landscaping is $3000, which is cheap compared with indoor upgrades that can reach even $70,000.
Surprised to find out that gardening can make you money? Let’s find out how.
Take a look at your back garden
When homeowners want to add value to their properties, they first look at the back garden, and it’s understandable why. This is the spot where people relax after a busy day and spend time without curious eyes watching them. The back garden is where people build retreat spaces, play with their children, and host parties.
So, when upgrading, ensure you design it for the target public. When you put a property for sale you can maximise its price if you market it properly. So, you need to identify your target public and understand their needs. Don’t forget that your back garden is an integral part of the entire property and it should share the same features.
The back garden provides privacy and quiet
When potential tenants or buyers view your house, they don’t judge only its appearance, but they also asses the location, access routes, surrounding buildings, and proximity to the neighbours. People want privacy these days, and a back garden can offer it. No matter how well maintained and modern the interior is if they think the garden doesn’t protect them from intrusive eyes, they won’t make an offer.
People want their own quiet sanctuary, so when you upgrade the back garden consider installing some high fences, planting bushes and hedges, and choosing comfortable furniture to boost its privacy. This way you transform the space into a desirable environment for people who appreciate privacy.
Your front garden makes a good first impression during house views
People don’t buy houses before viewing them, so you have one shot to convince them you sell their dream house. A landscaped garden can give your house that wow factor it needs to attract buyers. When people stop in front of your house, the front garden is the first thing they see, and you want to make sure it positively catches their attention. When you add the right trees, flowers and shrubs, you give your property the lift it needs to value more on the market. Don’t forget that it doesn’t take long for the buyer to decide if they like the property, and if they don’t like the exterior, they can refuse to see the interior.
So, when you have a garden in front of the house, you should make the most of it, maintain it properly, keep it neat, and clear all the rubbish that can distract people.
Even if your back garden adds the greatest value, don’t ignore the front one because first impressions count.
When you don’t have a front garden, you can boost the aesthetics of the property by adding some potted flowers at the entrance and placing fresh flowers in the window. And make sure your window and door frames don’t have peeling paint because it lures viewers away.
Add a driveway
Sacrifice part of your garden to transform it into a driveway, especially if your house is located near an inner-city area where it’s quite difficult to find a parking spot. For city houses, a parking spot is priceless, so when you can convert a front garden into a driveway, don’t hesitate because the investment pays for itself. Consult your real estate agent to find out if building a driveway boosts your property’s value. And don’t forget to check with the local authorities because adding one to your property isn’t a straightforward process. You need permission, so get in touch with the local council to find out what the requirements for this construction are. The material you use to build the driveway can affect the drainage system, so the local council can reject your application if you want to use a porous material as permeable asphalt or gravel.
A landscaped garden shows you care
Well maintained front and back gardens show that you invest in property maintenance, so future buyers don’t have to worry that they’ll purchase a property with faulty systems. People prefer looked after houses because they require less investment and work. If the property shows that you took time to mow the lawn, trim and prune the trees, and plant flower beds it suggests that you didn’t let other parts of the property fall into disrepair.
You don’t have to plant expensive shrubs and trees to impress prospective buyers, you only need to show good attention to details. Keep things simple because the future owners can customise it if they like something different. A tidy garden with a mowed lawn and clean planting area is universally appealing, no matter the preferences of the buyer.
Should you keep the lawn
A large lawn can be a plus depending on the type of the house. When you sell a spacious house designed for families with children a large lawn is a plus point because kids can use it as their playground. Families with children look for clean outdoors that allow them to install play equipment, swings and slides.
But for smaller properties a larger lawn isn’t a bonus. Convert part of it into a patio or barbeque area, especially if you target millennial buyers because they like to spend time hosting social gatherings. A docked area is more attractive for young couples with pets, than a large lawn to mow every couple of days.