A good garden can add over £50,000 to home value- here's how to upgrade yours
If you need some motivation to get round to sprucing up your garden, knowing it can 20% to the value of your home might help.
A recent survey by Foxtons Estate Agents found that 62% of customers said a garden was important to them, with a further 72% saying they’d pay up to a fifth more for a property with outdoor space.
That means the average UK house could see an increase of £51,281 on its £256,405 value just for having a well-kept garden.
And smartening up your outside space is particularly lucrative in urban areas such as London, where research found a spruced-up garden could add between £65,650 and £141,451 to the average house price in Croydon and Islington respectively.
MyToolShed analysed 6,443 houses for sale on Zoopla over the last 12 months across 10 different areas in London to work out the current average house price values for July 2021.
They were then able to calculate the average garden cost for the main areas in London based on the finding that a garden can add 20% to the value of your property.
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While a well-kept garden in Islington topped the list of value added, it was closely followed by outside space in Ealing (£132,806), Wandsworth (£131,084.5) and Haringey (£112,127), which all added over £100k to the price of the average home.
The figures are proof that wannabe buyers are prepared to pay a premium for perfectly pruned properties, so if you're lucky enough to have a garden it pays to keep up the kerb appeal.
Here's 15 ways to make the most of your garden's value...
1 Get out the mower
The first thing anyone should do to make their garden space look better is to give the lawn a mow. "You'll be surprised what a difference something so simple makes," says Jade Shaw at MyToolShed.
But don't stop there. "What also helps is making sure the edges are nicely trimmed as well as removing any leaves that have fallen, particularly in the autumn months," she adds.
2 Rid the space of weeds
Once the lawn is in shape, it’s time to move to the flower beds to dig out those pesky weeds. "If there are any too tough to handle using your bare hands, purchase a weed puller to help," advises Shaw.
Shaw suggests double-checking any paved areas as well as the driveway. "If weeds are getting through here, they’re likely going to be tougher to get rid of," she says. Time for weed-killers to help get the job done.
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3 Give the fence a fresh coat
Something else that really shows a home’s age is how worn the fences are. "A new coat of paint will either suggest that the current owner is taking care of their property or help mask the house’s real age," Shaw reveals.
Watch: Best garden shed kits you can buy online and assemble yourself.
4 Treat dreary decking
A decked area can be a real selling point for your home, but only if it is in tip-top condition.
"All wood that is left outside to the elements needs to be kept on top of, and the best place to start is with treatments, stains and preservers," explains Shaw.
"These will help protect the wood from all weather conditions. Perfect for the rather unpredictable, but usually poor UK weather."
5 Zone your garden
Decking, along with other patio or paved areas are great for making different zones in your outside space. "If you have the room, these can help divide the space into separate areas used for different things," explains Shaw.
"For example, the decking area’s is a place where you can relax and unwind, and the patio is where any outdoor eating may take place. Keeping these areas away from the lawn helps keep it from wear."
6 Patch up the patio and paving
If you do have any patio or paved areas, make sure there are no cracks. "This is particularly off-putting to young families as uneven or cracked paving could be dangerous to small children," Shaw explains.
7 Create a seating sun trap
As soon as the sun comes out, us Brits are keen to get out and enjoy it, so having an area where the homeowner can relax or entertain outside can be very attractive to potential buyers.
Choosing the right furniture for your space is key. If you're on a budget, it's worth checking out Aldi bargains to upgrade your outside area.
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8 Pot Those Plants
When you do have an area that is paved or decked it helps to add some potted plants to the space to keep the flow of the garden going.
"You want the seating area to be a part of the garden, not disconnected," explains Shaw.
9 Add a water feature
Not only does the sound of tinkling water provide the ultimate in relaxation, a water feature can also help your garden become a place of blissful escapism.
"They sound expensive but you can get some fantastic water features for under £200," says Shaw.
10 Consider your lighting
Just because it’s dark outside doesn’t mean you should have to go inside. Twinkly garden lighting will help to set the mood, adding an atmospheric feel to any outdoor space. Outside lights are also a great security feature.
11 Secure your space
Prospective buyers will be keen to know their outdoor space is safe and secure. "All entrances/entranceways should be lockable," explains Shaw. Home security is often a big consideration for buyers.
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12 Keep it private
Similarly, you'll want to ensure passers-by can't see into your back garden. Nobody wants to feel they're being watched.
"Ensuring privacy can sometimes be tricky, particularly in built-up areas, but there are measures you can take to keep your garden as private as possible," says Shaw.
"For example, tall-growing bushes could line fences with see-through sections or if space is restricted climbing plants could also work."
13 Invest in a shed
Did you know that 82% of estate agents and property experts believe a decent sized shed would add the most value to a property? Sheds are fantastic for storing away unsightly and bulky objects that can ruin a beautiful garden view.
14 Add an outbuilding
If you really want to wow potential buyers, it might be worth considering adding a garden room to your outdoor space. A recent study by MyToolShed found that an outbuilding can add 5% to your house value and can be put up with a budget from a minimum of £3K. Suddenly WFH got a whole lot more attractive.
15 Keep it low maintenance
If gardening isn't your thing or you find it hard to carve out time for outdoor upkeep, it's worth ensuring your garden is low-maintenance. This will also appeal to prospective purchasers who might be put off by a garden that looks difficult to keep.
