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The coronavirus pandemic has transformed house-buying trends in the UK. While life has returned to some semblance of normality for many people, our work and home lives may have changed forever.
When the first lockdown ended in Summer 2020, demand for larger properties with gardens or access to public green spaces soared as people contemplated a future in which they would spend increasing amounts of time at home for work and leisure. While there has been a rise in demand for city-centre flats in recent months, a well-presented garden is still high on the wish-list for many house hunters. This is especially true for those with young families or long-term plans to work remotely for at least part of their working week.
Even if you have a small garden or courtyard, making the most of it can be a relatively quick and easy way to help your house sell faster.
So, which garden trends will make your home more appealing to buyers and help you sell your house fast in 2022?
1. Keep it low maintenance
Many people interested in bigger homes with a garden will be busy families or working professionals who need the space, but lack the time for a high-maintenance garden.
Consider removing large trees that require regular pruning, complex decorative areas, and any features that need a lot of maintenance. Replace these labour intensive features with low maintenance plants, gravel paths, a patio and seating areas.
Keeping the number of plant varieties to a minimum is another clever trick. You need enough varieties to make the space look attractive, but not so many that the new occupant needs to spend hours each week tending to them.
Consider the design and feel of your garden too. For example, you could ditch the manicured lawn and meticulously-planned borders, and opt for a wild meadow style that will still look good when left untended. Alternatively, if you want to go one step further and create a garden that requires next-to-no regular maintenance, replace turf and plants with gravel or woodchip.
The most important thing to consider is who your target market is. Are you getting more interest from young working families, or high-flying professionals? This will give you an insight into how low-maintenance your garden should be to help you sell your house fast.
2. Add storage
A garden shed or summer house will appeal to many different types of buyers, from the enthusiastic gardener who needs space for their tools to the busy parents who want to keep children’s toys and garden furniture out of sight and protected from bad weather.
While a swanky garden office with electricity, heating, wi-fi and decent insulation will no doubt be a hit with many potential buyers, you don’t need to blow the budget on anything so extravagant to add value to your garden. A simple wooden shed will provide all the space many people expect or need.
3. Create a private space
A well-maintained garden fence installed by professionals can boost the value of your property by up to 20 per cent. A private, non-overlooked garden is prized by many house buyers, and they will be willing to pay a premium for this feature.
If you don’t currently have a tall fence around your garden, or if the one you do have needs attention, investing in a new one could deliver a healthy return on investment and help your house sell faster.
If you lack the time, money or inclination to fence your entire garden, consider screening off an area using tall evergreen plants. Another simple solution is to build a wooden privacy screen and add climbing plants. Make sure you avoid blocking out the light with too many tall trees or canopies though.
4. Make the most of the space you have
Something as simple as decluttering can have a big impact on how potential buyers view your home and garden. Before viewings, tidy away children’s toys, bins and anything else that makes the outdoor space appear untidy and smaller than it is.
It’s a good idea to leave out a few pieces of garden furniture, as this can help potential buyers envision themselves living in the property.
If you have a lot of decorative furniture, such as fountains, bird tables or similar items, consider putting these in storage until you sell. Doing this will make it easy for buyers to see the full potential of the space and how they could put their stamp on it.
5. Add or spruce up good quality paving or a patio
Professional paving and patios are a significant outlay for any homeowner, so if you have these, show them off!
Clear any clutter and power-wash away dirt, stains and moss. Repair or replace any areas of damage, such as cracked paving stones, to make the most of this feature.
If you don’t have a patio or paved area, it might be worth investing in one; it’s a real hit with almost every type of home buyer.
Presenting potential buyers with a clean, tidy and manageable garden is a fantastic way to increase the number of viewings and speed up the sale of your property. Consider making small changes if you have the time and budget, but don’t despair if this isn’t an option. Simply decluttering, tidying and cleaning can transform a garden and make it more appealing to buyers.
What’s your top tip to help your house sell faster?
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