It is official, we are now in spring; we can now all enjoy those longer days and better weather, and watch whilst flowers bloom and trees blossom. It is the season where Mother Nature loves to show off her splendour, and when it comes to selling your home, you need to be doing the same. Spring is the best time of year to sell your home, and according to Rightmove, this is because of record prices, the imbalance between demand and supply as well as the prospect of finding a buyer the first week your home is on the market. And whilst your focus may be directly internally, we want to make sure you understand why you should not neglect your garden when selling your home this Spring in Kent.
It’s a blooming market
“Those who weren’t ready to take advantage of last year’s rush now have another chance to get on the market while these conditions last”, Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s Director of Property Data comments. Anyone selling their home wants to ensure they a maximising their sale in every way – who wouldn’t want to miss an opportunity to add some value, and your garden is a hidden gem. According to Good Move house experts, “Transforming your garden can be the most fruitful way of adding value to your home, with a well-kept garden raising prices by around 20 per cent.” Although many home owners understand the potential their garden holds can bring to the value of their property, there are many that ignore this area when preparing their home for sale.
Lockdown goals
Lockdown saw many of us turning our time to our gardens: bars were erected, decking built and outbuildings constructed creating havens for us to enjoy whilst the strange times we were living in passed us by. Potential buyers, too, wish to imagine themselves spending time in a garden that is ready to enjoy, not one that has a wild side and needs a lot of work to restore. Your garden is an extension of your home, and should the sun be shining, buyers love to imagine themselves al fresco dining or enjoying a tipple or two. Don’t put barriers in their way by making them struggle to see what your garden has to offer – make it the dream they have been seeking not the jungle they wish to forget.
It needs to be green
There is something very attractive about a healthy lawn, one glistening in shades of green without a balding patch in sight. Yet we all know how much maintenance it takes to keep a lawn looking green and healthy. For many of us, those perfect contrasting green lines of grass are something we aspire to but never quite achieve. If your lawn looks like it has seen better days, it may be best to invest in some new turf. It may feel like an unnecessary expense, but having your garden in the best possible condition could add value to your home and, what’s more, help it to sell more quickly.
Just like new
It isn’t just your lawn that needs to look healthy and just like new; the winter months having taken a toll on many a home’s exterior, especially with the storms we have had. Paint and stains have faded on gates and fences, decking may have some slippery grime or peeling stain, weeds have been springing up and some plants may have a survived for another season. Yes, there is work to be done, but the benefits are certainly worth it. Put yourself in the shoes of a potential buyer: how would you feel about seeing a garden in tip-top shape and full or colour, compared to one that has seen better days? Your offer may reflect how you feel, so make sure that your buyers see the value your garden brings to your home.
Bring the lifestyle to life
Adding some finishing touches to your garden for a viewing brings to life the lifestyle your home offers to a potential buyer. A viewing is the opportunity for your property to transform into a home for sale. You want that show home feel that is organised yet warm, welcoming and intoxicating.
A table and chairs is just that, but add a tray with a couple glasses and a bottle and suddenly your buyers are seeing themselves sitting there on a warm spring evening. A wall seat may go unnoticed, but a throw, a cushion and a book transforms it into a cosy space to while away an afternoon. No matter the size or style of your garden, there are little touches you can add to bring your space to life. You don’t need to go overboard, just a couple here and there is enough to get a buyer’s mind starting to imagine living there.
It deserves it
Give your garden the spring clean it deserves, and you are putting your home in the best position for selling in this busy spring season. For more advice on how to prepare your Kent home for sale, call a member of our sales team on 01634 570057.
Content contributed by The Federation of Independent Agents.
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