First impressions count. You want viewers to see themselves living in your home and enjoying the garden, and ultimately putting that offer in. To help, we’ve put together some quick and easy tips to help you stage your garden in the best way possible.
Clean it up
Before you begin, hire a skip. A 4 yard, 6 yard, or 8 yard skip will cover your waste disposal needs.
Remove all fallen leaves, weeds, and debris. Trim hedges and bushes, and cut back any overgrown plants or trees.
Give your garden shed, fence and furniture all a good clean.
Set the scene
Give your garden furniture a lick of paint or varnish if needed.
If it doesn’t look good enough, throw it out. A bad set of outdoor furniture is enough to put potential buyers off.
If you need furniture, a lot of gardening and DIY shops, and supermarkets have sales in springtime, so keep an eye out then for a great deal. Or snap up a sample set, if available.
Remember though, you can take your garden furniture with you to your next home, so consider investing in your wish list set, if funds allow.
If funds are tight, and your friendly neighbours have a nice set, see if you can borrow theirs!
However you source your garden furniture, ensure it is set out neatly and inviting to the viewer.
Paint the picture (using colour)
When it comes to selling a home, a neutral colour scheme in a home is suggested (apparently, such a theme makes it easier for viewers to imagine it decorated to their own taste), HOWEVER, the opposite applies for your outdoor space.
Research has proved time and time again that colour effects us psychological. And when it comes to flowers and shrubs, never is this more true. It is an art in itself and different to using colour internally. As an example, blue flowers convey calmness (whilst blue walls convey coldness), yellow flowers convey feelings of joy, happiness and new beginnings, , and green send a message of good fortune and health. Think about the type of market you are selling to and the emotion you want to convey, and then do your flower power research.
Frame the picture (with a lick of paint).
A simple lick of paint sends out a message that the home is well taken care of, crisp and fresh.
One local estate agent we know here, told us that freshly painted windowsills could be the differentiating factor in someone putting an offer in. Whilst viewers may not study your paintwork, it subconsciously frames the property and sends out the message that the property is cared-for and therefore in good condition.
So ensure all furniture, fencing, sheds and walls are looking their best.
Seal the picture.
Again, first impressions count, and this starts the moment your property is in view.
An untidy or unsightly path can be distracting and deter viewing of your tidy garden, so ensure all paths leading to the door (including porches) are clear, and neat and tidy.
Tip: if you find some rubbish blows about or bins fall over on the day your bins are collected, put off viewings on this day. After all, you don’t want a blown-over bin, lying on the path to the open door.
If your driveway is in need of urgent repair, then check out our blog on how to make your own driveway.
For more helpful tips on how to stage your home for selling, check out our latest blogs.