Gardens now hold more value than ever, with buyers looking for private spaces that give them the option to stay in the comfort of their own homes, rather than spending money on entertainment elsewhere. If you are planning on selling your property, to help you get an even better price we’ve put together 5 garden additions that can be used to increase the value of your home.
How much value can a garden add to a property?
According to the AA, a garden adds as much as 16% to the value of your property. However, this depends on a few different factors, including the location, dimensions, features, and current condition. If you do have a garden attached to the property, at minimum you should ensure it is well presented and maintained before potential buyers start to arrive for viewings.
What factors dictate the value a garden adds to a property?
The larger your garden, the more value it can add to your property. However, the location will also determine the value, especially if it is south facing which means the property receives a lot more natural daylight.
Also, a property located in a centralised location (in a town or city) is more likely to sell at a higher price. And, as we mentioned above, if the garden is already in good condition, it will require less work and money to be spent by the next owner, which will prove invaluable.
How can I add value to my garden?
Here are five suggestions you can consider to add value to your garden:
Add decking
Adding decking to the garden can serve as both an entertainment space and a place to relax and enjoy a grand view of the garden.
It’s a great way to connect the inside of your home with the outside, with the decking serving as a platform that bridges both spaces. The decking should be appropriately sized, so it doesn’t dominate the garden, while providing enough space for a seating to sit and relax or cook up a BBQ.
Including some outdoor lighting here too, as this adds dimension and ensures the decking area can be put to use after nightfall during the spring and summer.
Build a garden room or office
Garden rooms are becoming an increasingly popular choice for homeowners, especially if you are looking for ways to boost the value of your home.
If you have the space in the garden, building an extra room in the garden allows you to get creative as it can be used for a wide range of activities. Buyers will love to see the possibilities on offer, as the room can be used as a home office, which can prove particularly useful with more people now working from home. Or you could turn it into an entertainment room with built-in equipment or perhaps a playroom that is dedicated to kid’s play, making it suitable for buyers with young children.
Add more storage
Storage is a problem for everyone, because we always find ways to fill out the spaces around us and eventually land up needing more at some point.
Good storage options will likely be close to the top of the list of most buyers, so if you can create more options in the garden, this should prove to be very appealing.
Create an outdoor living area
Good lighting can add a new dimension to your garden, and it can be very useful if the outdoor space is compact. With the right lighting installed it can look much bigger, especially if you are holding evening viewings.
Buyers want to imagine the possibilities of living in the property and adding a patio or outdoor living area can really encourage that. Adding outdoor furniture suggests the idea of spending more time outdoors and enjoying the garden, which can be as simple as a small table and chair set or investing in a grander rattan sofa that allows buyers to see the full scale of ideas on offer.
Improve your gardens privacy and security
Security is of huge importance to every buyer, as it allows them to feel safe about keeping expensive gardening equipment and bikes in the space. If there is a garage attached, there is a good chance it can be accessed from the rear in the garden, so that should be made as secure as possible.
Locks and blacked out windows are a good idea, and you may also want to consider installing CCTV to provide even more assurances.
Look at the type of fencing, walls and gates you currently have in place, as they may need fortifying or replacing to give more protection to the garden and potential entrances into the property.