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A garden can make or break a purchase price, whether it is down to the size or layout of a garden. Anna Hampshire, Head of Marketing at Marshalls, shared the three “common gardening mistakes” which could “knock thousands” off your property value. The expert said: “If you’re thinking of selling your house, ensure that the garden is a selling point, too.
“Gardens that don’t get the sun all day should maximise the times when they do get it. For example, it would be a mistake to locate seating in a spot that’s shaded past 11am.
“Make sure large trees and shrubs don’t block the light from your windows and keep the space as open as possible.
“A poorly designed layout will deter a buyer, however, a well-designed one could help potential future owners imagine watching their kids play in it safely.”
1. Unkempt garden
An unkempt garden or outdoor space that is filled with rubbish and overrun with weeds and wild grasses would be seen as an inconvenience for new buyers who wanted to spend time in it straight away.
Anna said: “It would cost a new buyer thousands to get a messy garden cleaned up and beautified by professionals.
“A messy garden could, be both, a bit of a deterrent as well as negatively affect the value of your property.”
In a video for Move iQ on YouTube, Phil Spencer previously said a well-kept garden could add as much as 20 percent value to a property price.
He explained: “A decent outdoor space can definitely widen the pool of potential buyers, making the home much more appealing.
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“A well cared for garden is part of ensuring your home is presented for sale in the best possible light, so make sure sheds are cleared out and broken fences or gates are fixed.”
The property expert said homeowners should think of their garden as another room in the home.
2. Poor drainage
Anna continued: “Poor garden drainage could also knock thousands off the value of your property.
“A garden that’s prone to flooding needs to have adequate drainage – this could be green areas for water to soak away or a permeable patio or surface.
“If left unsorted, water could pool in areas that affect structures and look bad.”
Bad drainage could also be a huge issue when it comes to keeping the garden healthy in terms of grass and plants.
3. Invasive plants
The expert said: “Invasive plants just as Japanese knotweed are commonly found in gardens. They are a rapidly growing species and can unstoppably destroy structures such as building foundations and asphalt driveways.
“If they find their way into cracks in walls, they can expand them and even get in the way of water pipes.
“Merely removing them from the root will not kill them and it can cost thousands to get them professionally dealt with.”
English Ivy is also one of the most destructive invasive plants in the UK, commonly seen on the outside of several houses.
The best way to remove ivy from a wall is to cut through the stem with a sharp saw and then dig out the root.
It is important to get the help of a professional when it comes to plants such as Japanese knotweed because their roots can go deep into the ground.
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