In today’s tough housing market, sellers have to work hard to find a competitive sales advantage. Savvy buyers - cautious, clued in and in no rush to commit – expect nothing but top quality fixtures and fittings throughout and they’re prepared to haggle, stall and nit-pick their way to lower the asking price.
 
With competition so fierce and buyer expectation so high, sellers are desperately searching for that illusive advantage. Thankfully, one opportunity still exists that can help sellers secure their asking price and its right behind the back door. A well-designed and installed garden is a great selling angle and recent studies from both the US and UK have shown it can dramatically speed up closure times and increase sales prices by 10% or more. With concrete evidence now backing up common knowledge, many sellers are making investments in their garden to maximize desirability. For a relatively small outlay, sellers are securing big returns.

Adding value is all about presentation. Think aspirational.
 

If money is tight and you’re not in a position, maximize your garden’s selling potential. There are still things you can do ensure your garden is working for you.
 

1. If you're not a gardener, get someone in to do a good clean up. Even cutting back shrubbery and covering exposed soil with appropriate mulch can make a huge difference.

2. Sellers go to great lengths to ensure their interior is presented as if a stage set but often ignore the garden. Present your garden as an aspirational outdoor space. Well-placed books, cushions and seats will help potential buyers to see your outdoor space as additional recreation room. Don't be afraid to dress your garden furniture/table as you would inside.

3. Hide, disguise and screen functional aspects of your garden. Bins, washing lines, garden waste and tools will paint the wrong image.

4. If you have a pond, consider installing a discreet metal cover. It's not unheard of for buyers to dismiss a house based on pond safety concerns.

5. Invest in a few nice planters and replace tired plants with fresh ones. Just like, you would inside.

6. Enhance the house/garden connection with well-placed interior plants/flowers.

7. If you have a timber deck, ensure it's well treated. A poorly maintained deck will really put buyers off.

8. If your garden has solvable problems - overgrown trees, poor drainage and so on - don't expect your buyer to want to deal with them. Sort them yourself or be prepared to be bargained down.

9. If you have your garden professional maintained and the costs are reasonable, let the buyer know; no hassle options are always a plus.

10. If your garden has special features - lighting, water features - ensure they're on and that the sales agent is fully informed.

11. Exploit good orientation with the placement of sun loungers. Mitigate poor orientation with some bright flowers and containers.

12. Repaint/stain any timber elements.

13. If you have a nice selection of plants, ensure they're well watered prior to viewing.

14. Add a lawn feed and weed a couple of weeks prior to viewing. A lush lawn is a cost effective way to brighten your garden - like a new carpet inside.

15. Don't forget to maximize kerb appeal dressing the front garden. A well-maintained lawn with some nice containers can make a huge difference. Park your car around the corner - its absence will add to the perception of space and allow the buyer to see more of the house.
 
16. Make sure your agent is well versed on the garden’s potential.

 
A well-maintained garden will always work in your favour; a poorly maintained one will always put buyers off. Happy Selling.
 

 
Further reading on the tangible value of gardens.
Although there has been a lot of research carried out in other countries to quantify the actual value that quality landscaping adds, no such data are available in Ireland. Click here to read through a selection of articles on the value of gardens.