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SPRUCE UP
Four easy gardening tweaks to boost your homes value by £15,000 – and mistakes to avoid
Plus, you can find fixes for free
EVERYONE wants to make the best impression when showing off their home to potential buyers - and your garden could be the key.
Many sellers may not even realise that easy tweaks could boost their home's value by tens of thousands of pounds.
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For example, having a well-tidied garden and replacing your fencing could increase the amount people are willing to offer.
That's according to Luke Saywell, a partner at Nottinghamshire estate agents Gascoines.
He said: "Whether you’re a passionate gardener or you’ll never be green fingered, having an outdoor space is one of the top requirements for homeowners.
"But how you present your garden can mean the difference between getting the maximum value for your home or being bartered down.
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";There are a range of changes that you can make to ensure you get the best price for your property."
Here are five easy gardening tweaks and how much they could add to your property prices.
Plus, we explain the mistakes you need to avoid when making these fixes.
Well-tidied gardens – up to £3,000
While it may seem simple, one of the most appealing features for potential buyers is a tidy garden.
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Luke said: "A well-kept garden is appealing to buyers as they don’t see it as another job to be responsible for when they move in on top of the house.
"A garden is a place for many to retreat in the sunshine and un-mowed lawns, overgrown weeds and general clutter you’ve been meaning to take to the tip can all leave a buyer looking to knock off money."
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Smartening up your garden doesn't need to cost a fortune either.
Think twice before hiring an expensive gardener to do easy jobs that you can do yourself.
It’s amazing the difference a good clear-up can make and costs nothing but a bit of elbow grease.
Luke said: "Registering at your local tip is free, pulling out the weeds just needs some elbow grease, and a general tidy only requires a bit of time and a broom."
Collect litter that’s blown in, along with piles of leaves and any weeds that are creeping through the soil or paving.
If you have grass in your front garden, cutting it will instantly lift the look of your house.
How to save money on gardening
GIVING your garden a makeover doesn't need to cost a fortune.
If you're feeling inspired, Olivia Marshall explains how you can spruce up your outdoor space on a budget.
CHEAP AND CHEERFUL
Opt for perennial plants to get the most bang for your buck. These last year after year, so you only pay once.
Lavender is a very low-maintenance plant and you can pick up a small plant for around £5.
Once it is established, it needs very little water and no feeding.
USE ALTERNATIVES
Coffee grounds provide a nutrient boost for soil.
If you don’t use them at home, try asking at your local coffee shop.
Many small outlets will happily give old grounds for free rather than bin them.
Old fruit, veg peelings and egg shells also provide food for plants.
Instead of chucking them out, you could make a small compost heap or mix them into soil.
PLANT A SEED
Seeds tend to be much cheaper to buy than plants.
Wilko, B&M and The Range are a good place to look for bargains.
If you have friends with a well-established garden, why not ask them for cuttings? This is called propagation.
Once you have been given the cutting, you just need to keep it in a sunny spot indoors, in clean water.
When roots start to form, it’s ready to plant.
SHOP SMART
Head to the garden centre in late summer and early autumn, when they are most likely to clear and reduce the price of stock to make room for the next season.
Remove large trees - up to £5,000
Trees can really divide opinions among buyers.
Some people see them as essential for providing privacy, but others will see them as another thing they need to maintain.
Luke said: "Depending on the size of the outdoor space, removing large trees can showcase just how much garden is on offer.
"Many buyers are put off by the maintenance required in large trees, and fruit trees in particular aren’t appealing as the dropped fruit can go mouldy and requires cleaning up."
But you should think twice before attempting to cut a tree down yourself as it can be quite dangerous.
With this in mind, you may want to think about getting a qualified tree surgeon to do the job for you.
It can cost anywhere between £1,189.90 and £1,713.46 to chop down a tree up to 50 feet tall, according to Checkatrade.
Luke added: "While investing in a tree surgeon to do the job properly isn’t cheap, the larger space can increase the price people are willing to pay significantly.
"Equally, removing trees outside helps to open up the space inside as it’s brighter and lighter."
Replacing low fences – up to £3,000
If you do decide to get rid of some trees, you'll need a decent fence to protect the privacy of your garden.
So if you have a low fence, Luke said it's worth considering getting a taller one.
"Fencing at the rear of a property can be a maximum of 6.5 feet but often homeowners have fences as low as three or four feet meaning you’re much more likely to feel overlooked," he added.
"If you already have the fence posts installed, replacing the panels for taller ones can be as cheap as £30 to 40 at DIY stores but can make the difference between securing a higher price from a buyer."
Improve storage - up to £4,000
Everyone knows that having internal storage space is an attractive asset for any home, but it's important not to neglect outdoor storage too.
Luke said: ";When adding storage making sure it is proportionate to your space is important.
"Not everyone will have lots of gardening tools to store in a large shed, but having somewhere to store extra items makes buyers feel like they have the full package – a great garden and somewhere to store the accessories."
Sheds come in many shapes and sizes, including slimline for those smaller outdoor spaces, or outdoor utility chests are an equally cheap and effective solution.
Don't make the mistake of choosing a shed that's too big for your garden as you risk making the space look small.
And make sure you don't neglect your household bins.
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If they are kept in your garden, a bin store can help to make it more aesthetically appealing.
Meanwhile, we reveal what will happen to house prices in 2024.
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