When trying to sell your home, it’s common knowledge that any potential buyers are going to be looking at your property as a complete package- factoring in both the property itself and any external factors. With this in mind, your garden is one of the most important deciders outside of your home itself when trying to get a good price for your property, and with this in mind, we’re going to take a look at some of the biggest mistakes you’re going to want to avoid with your garden which could actually be bringing the value of your property down, rather than enhancing it.
Overgrown landscape
One of the most obvious examples, a poorly maintained garden will always take away from the value of your property, regardless of the amount of potential in the garden itself. In fact, having a larger outdoor space, if poorly maintained, will only represent more work to fall on any potential owners, and likely be seen as a bigger drawback. Messy shrubs, untamed grass and other telltale signs of neglect will always reflect poorly on the home overall, and even if you’ve got the opposite of a green thumb (whatever that is), it’ll pay dividends to make sure your outdoor spaces are at least kept at bay from being overgrown before you start trying to sell.
Now this isn’t to say your garden has to be competition ready to attract any potential buyers- simply make sure your garden is kept in an orderly fashion, and clear up any potential invasive plants and weeds before putting your home on the market. Chances are, any new owners will have their own plans for your outdoor spaces themselves, but making sure any important maintenance is done beforehand will ensure they see your garden as a bonus, rather than a detriment.
Drainage problems
Aesthetic considerations aren’t the only thing prospective buyers will be looking out for when surveying your property and garden, practical concerns will also play a (likely even bigger) factor in their consideration. Good drainage is one of the most important factors when it comes to the garden, and can pose serious problems if not maintained properly. A garden sloping down towards the property can be an indicator of foundation issues, water damage, or erosion, and will be serious red flag to any would-be owners. Even if your garden is stunning, the idea of future issues presented by poor drainage will be a serious point of concern, and likely will be enough to knock down the figures of any offers.
Addressing compacted soil, improving soil structure, and managing surface water runoff are all good ways to tackle poor drainage in your garden. Although tackling these issues can sometimes require higher costs more time than other smaller fixes, if you’re looking to sell these measures should be seen as an investment in order to get the price you deserve for your property, and if done right will pay for themselves when getting a final price.
High-maintenance plants
While not as big of as a concern as structural issues like poor drainage, the content of your garden will still be considered by anyone looking to make it their own, along with your property. Expensive, high-maintenance plans will serve as a concern for those not inclined to spend much time in the garden, and even if removing them isn’t a gargantuan task, it’s one that will be better carried out before displaying the property for sale. Even though considering the types of plants in the garden might seem like a minor detail to fixate on, you can bet if a buyer has a reason to lower their offer, they’re going to use it.
Small changes like this can come back to haunt you when looking to sell your property, so unless you’re marketing a varied and eye-catching garden as a key selling point, high-maintenance plants are better removed all together before tying to sell.
Excessive/obstructive landscaping
Whilst features in your garden such as pathways and patios can in many cases add value on to a property, it’s important to remember that these features are expensive to alter or remove, and for some homeowners can be more of a cause of concern rather than a bonus when looking to buy a property. This is especially true for gardens with an abundance of features, in particular those that block any natural light or feel suffocating when heading outside.
Many buyers when looking into the garden will be looking for more of a blank canvas, and landscaping features that take away from the gardens overall features or otherwise don’t fit into the buyers plans will simply seen as further work to undo. This can be especially true for buyers with pets or children, who will be hoping for more outdoor space in order for them to play. If your garden contains a high number of landscaping features, try to assess any of them that block the natural charm of the garden itself and how easily they can be removed, as it’s normally a better bet to allow future owners to make their own choices with any outdoor space, rather than bringing them into an already finished product.
It can be a difficult tightrope to walk when putting your home on the market and evaluating how many of your beloved features may add or detract value from the property. It’s important to remember that any prospective buyers will have their own vision and ideas for their garden, and although you’ve put hard work into any of your own arrangements, to another owner these features can simply represent more work once the property is theirs. Try and enhance the natural elements of your garden when selling your home, and this is sure to act as a catalyst for better offers from any potential buyers.
