We know gardens add value in terms of wellbeing, but what features are buyers looking for?
Much comes down to location and individual preference.
A swimming pool, for example, is a classic divider of opinion – signalling a delightful dip for some and unnecessary upkeep for others. Likewise, although attractively planted borders and a veg patch will enhance overall appeal, buyers are unlikely to pay more for them.
A straw poll of colleagues, however, reveals certain characteristics with real pulling power. Here’s our top five:
- Entertaining space. This is perennially desirable. Somewhere to sit and relax, and even better to entertain, comes top in the rankings.
- South-west facing garden. Unsurprisingly, the chance to make the most of the sunshine places this high on the wish list and can be a deal breaker for some buyers.
- Direct access from the kitchen or living area. The ability to fling open the doors and bring the outside in (and vice versa) is highly sought after. It can be especially appealing for buyers with young children, who value the opportunity to see and hear what’s going on outdoors.
- Garden room/home office. Unlike simple storage space which adds little or no monetary value, a dedicated garden room or home office has become increasingly important not only because of hybrid working but also as a place to exercise and for older children to entertain their friends.
- Tennis court. A tennis court can be very appealing for players whether serious or social. In the last few years the rise of multi-use courts which can morph from football to basketball and more add flexibility to the space.
Generally, garden must-haves are dictated by the size of plot, and expectations will vary according. Equally important is a buyer’s stage of life – a pond may be fascinating for the current owners, but potentially off-putting for those moving with toddlers.
While leaving areas free for wildlife to thrive is becoming increasingly popular, overgrown gardens that give the impression the land is hard to manage could impact adversely on price. This may be particularly true for buyers relocating from towns and cities to larger homes in the countryside.
And a couple of final points: if you are about to carry out major alterations to a property it is worth remembering that the garden is often as old as the house and that the hedges and trees could be much older – so do handle with care. Meanwhile if selling your home, it’s always worthwhile ensuring that the garden is looking spick and span with terraces or decking power washed, the lawn mowed and any trees and bushes cut back.
Further information
Contact Christopher Bramwell or Deborah Giacobbi
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