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Published: 22 August 2022

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If you were to ask most households where they congregate when they have guests, it is more than likely that the kitchen would be the room of choice. The heart of the home is one of the most important rooms when selling your home. Staging a kitchen is an art: you want to create a buyer’s dream home before your viewings start. This is why our team at Deakin-White have put together four dishy tips to make your kitchen deliciously irresistible to buyers.

Eliminate the seasoning

When you’re cooking, you always want to add some seasoning to make your dish taste even better, but when buyers are viewing your kitchen you certainly want to stick to the recipe that less is more. Kitchens are homes to so many things, and it is common to place items and appliances on your worktops. One of the main things you must always do is clear your work surfaces and place any small appliances away in cupboards. Clutter is never attractive to potential buyers.

It isn’t just your work surfaces that you need to make sure are looking pristine don’t forget to sort out your cupboards and remove any fridge magnets, kids drawings, letters etc. from your fridge. These are your memories and will not help buyers to imagining themselves living there.

When it comes to staging your kitchen, you want a couple of vignettes or striking bottles to make the room feel lived in and more homely. Use natural accessories that will help a buyer to connect with your room – a loaf of fresh bread on a wooden board with a pot of butter – it can often be the little things that make such a difference when it comes to staging.

A splash of colour

There is something extremely attractive to seeing a range of colours on your plate, and the same can be said about staging your kitchen. You don’t need a rainbow to add some personality but a splash of colour will bring some much needed style and warmth. A vase of flowers will be the perfect addition to your worktop or kitchen table, but you can also add some more pops of colour through glazed ceramic pots. Another addition could be to place a bowl of one type of fruit, such as oranges or apples, in a key spot, but make sure you don’t start to clutter what you have already cleared.

Spice up your units

Your kitchen is prone to wear and tear due to the amount of use it gets with family life, and there is no doubt buyers’ eyes will be giving your kitchen units a critical eye to make sure they are worthy. The cost of a new kitchen is something that could turn a viewing on its head and, therefore, you need to make sure that every inch is looking its best. So if your units have seen better days, look at what you can do to the doors to give them that extra sheen; respraying and new handles can completely transform it to that luxurious room that will be hard to resist.

Zest it up

Lighting is a big part of your home, and your kitchen is no exception, therefore if your fixtures are looking dated, it is time to zest it up a bit. Your lighting needs to work with your space – a chandelier over a dining area may be overpowering, whereas some modern pendant lights provide a more tasteful look.

Aromas

Never underestimate the role that smells play when selling your home, especially when it comes to your kitchen. Aromatic dishes can excite or repulse and the same can be said for the scents that can be found in your kitchen, so it is essential you take this into account. Clean every area, including your appliances; no one wants to open a dishwasher to be met with a distinctive smell. Once spotless, then add those scents that will make buyers feeling that they want to make your kitchen their own. A pot of fresh coffee anyone?

No need for a takeaway

Get your kitchen staging right and your buyers will want to stay, make sure it truly feels like the heart of your home. If you would like more ideas on how to make your property appeal to potential buyers give our team a call.

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Published: 12 July 2022

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It has been a method of selling a home that has been around for a long time, yet it is not widely spoken of and has been kind of a secret, but there has been a rise on off-market sales in recent years. The widely known way of selling your home has been to instruct an estate agent who will then market your property, which will include producing photographs, floor plans and possibly videos, all of which will be available online to attract potential buyers. If you strip all of this away from the public eye, and there is no for sale board or any evidence that the house is on the market, this is what is known as off-market sales.

Why sell off-market

There are many reasons you may wish to sell in a more discreet way: one of the main reasons we find is that the seller wishes to avoid all the hassle usually involved in selling a home. Busy lives could mean they don’t want a large number of viewings, while others may be concerned for their health post pandemic. They want to ensure that any buyer that comes through their door is serious and in a position to proceed. Privacy is another concern for some sellers – they don’t wish for people to know they are wanting or, maybe, needing to move home, therefore the idea of selling in this way is more appealing.

Does it work?

Off-market sales have been popular in the high-end market for many years, but now this type of sale accounts for one in ten sales overall.  Firstly, you need an agent who is experienced in this field, who understands the market, and has strong relationships with buyers like Deakin-White. To achieve off-market sales, you need to have waiting list of strong buyers, but also know exactly what each of those buyers is looking for in a property and what kind of home will suit their needs. The more the agent understands their buyers the easier it is to ensure that the property will sell discreetly, because they are, in essence, able to bring the property and the buyer together without any publicity.

With demand for properties high, it is the buyers, too, who are keen to put in the work to build these relationships with the agents that do end up benefitting from being informed of off-market properties. Many buyers have missed out on properties due to not being one of the first to view, and by the time they do, an offer has been accepted and their viewing has been cancelled. This is why the off-market approach for buyers is one that has also been successful in securing a new home. According to recent research “Buyers have been willing to pay a premium to secure their home off-market, and prevent sellers from marketing the property openly.”

Let’s look at the stats

Research has found that:

• In the first quarter of this year, over 37,000 homes were sold off-market, up from almost 21,000 over the same period in 2019.
• As of May 2022, more than one in ten homes has sold off-market.
• The average off-market home sold achieved 99.5% of its asking price in 2022, this surpassed the 98% record set in 2014 in a strong prime central London market.
• Properties that were marketed online and to a wider audience achieved 99.1% of their initial asking price so far this year, also a record.

Finding the dream

Not all off-market sales are as a result of a seller approaching an estate agent to sell their home – sometimes the buyer is the focus. Occasionally, we will be approached by a buyer looking for a particular kind of home; we may know of such a property, but we also know that there isn’t one on the market. As agents, we have two choices: we can do nothing and let the buyers wait until a property does become available, or we can get to work and see if we can make something happen.

By approaching homeowners who have not expressed a desire to sell, demonstrating the strong desire for their or a similar property, we can often turn a waiting game into a sale. There may sometimes be a reluctance to sell due to the stress of finding a buyer. Having this ‘stress’ taken away from them and an eager buyer handed to them can be just what a seller needs to make the decision to move. And even more of a pull is that all this can happen behind closed doors.

It's not for everyone

Off-market sales do come with their own challenges, which is why this method is not suitable for everyone. It is always advisable to chat through all options with your estate agent before you make a decision, and do your research: does your agent have success in selling discreetly? If you are thinking about selling your home and would like to understand the market and the options open to you and your property, contact our team.

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Published: 27 May 2022

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The viewing is where the magic happens, the time where potential buyers, who have bottled up their hopes and dreams, get to experience the reality of your home. No doubt, they will have devoured the photographs, been addicted to the video and scrutinised the floor plan, which is why your property has made their cut of possibles. Therefore, you don’t want to dampen their enthusiasm at the first hurdle, which is why we have put together our top tips on how to prepare your home for a viewing.

Change your outlook

Hopefully, you will have already done the work to prepare your home for sale, so now it is just about checking everything is ready and adding those finishing touches.  It is often the little things that buyers notice on a viewing, and it is these things that you can easily miss as a seller. Our eyes can play tricks on us because everything is familiar and comfortable, so this is why you need to change your outlook. Instead of looking at your house as a home, you need to walk around from room to room, and round the exterior from front to back with prying eyes, just as a buyer would. You are not looking to make any major changes at this stage, just those quick fixes that add that final touch of pizzazz to your already beautiful home.

A memorable welcome

It starts at the very beginning: decisions and opinions are formed from the moment they arrive at your property.  If you don’t have off-road parking, are you able to keep a space for them to be able to park? Check if any litter has blown into your garden and give your front door a quick wipe so it is looking its absolute best. As the front door opens, what are your buyers met with? How can you make that more appealing? Adding a plant and a lamp will add warmth if you feel this is missing.

Remember it is a home

Where some sellers go wrong when preparing a property for a viewing is that they tidy it to within an inch of its life and by doing so can rip out the heart of what makes it a home. Of course it needs to be clean and tidy, but it also needs to feel the warmth and affection, as it is this emotional connection that buyers will fall in love with. So make sure you think about how you dress your home, little vignettes will provide an insight into what it would be like to live there. A couple of place settings and a bottle of wine on your dining table, a throw and book on a garden bench, flowers, candles and cushions all add to the ambiance.

Make it light

One resource your home has that you must take advantage of is its natural light; it is a powerful asset to any room, making it feel brighter and more spacious. Ensure all your curtains and blinds are fully open and add lighting in rooms that could do with an extra lift. Even in the summer months, arriving at a dark, ill-lit home can be extremely unwelcoming, and we know that is certainly not the impression you want potential buyers to leave with. Open some windows too if the weather is mild, as it will fill your house with a natural freshness.

Keep it simple

In your kitchen and bathroom it is about keeping it simple, sleek and sexy. Keep surfaces clear and ensure that your cupboards are organised and looking lovely. Buyers tend to open cupboard doors to look at space, and you don’t want them to see a disaster zone behind the sleek façade. Add finishing touches that add freshness, such as a vase or glass bowl of lemons in the kitchen and a plant or two in the bathroom, and always make sure the seat is down!

Share the love

You have loved this property, and even if your feelings have dwindled, you know what it has meant to you over the years. When you are preparing your home for a viewing, share this love in each area of your home through your final staging and it will be hard for buyers not to lose their heart to it as they view.  For more advice on how to prepare your home for a viewing, contact our team today.

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Published: 10 August 2022

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Soaring energy bills are something that none of us can ignore at the moment; the cost of living crisis is expect to worsen this winter, with industry experts warning that the typical bill could exceed £3600 this winter, and continuing into 2024. Dr Craig Lowrey, principal consultant at Cornwall Insight, said: “While the rise in forecasts for October and January is a pressing concern, it is not only the level – but the duration – of the rises that makes these new forecasts so devastating.” With this in mind, it is no wonder that many homeowners are looking at ways to make their home greener and more energy efficient.

Lack of understanding

According to a report published by Rightmove at the end of July, one of the biggest reasons homeowners are not making green improvements is because they feel they don’t need too. This could be very much down to a lack of understanding of what improvements to make and also the lack of financial incentives, although making homes green is critical if the UK is to reach Net Zero by 2050. Rightmove found that 33% of homeowners think that making changes to their property would be too expensive, yet will be the cost of living crisis become the biggest motivator?

Buyers attraction

At Deakin-White we have noticed that buyers are more conscious about looking for properties that have green features. Rightmove have seen that there has been a rise in searches for features such as solar panels and heat pumps through their keyword sort tool. Compared to the start of 2020, Rightmove have noted that estate agents are now including 73% more green terms as key selling points. Buyers will no doubt be attracted to homes that are sustainable and whose owners have made changes to make them more energy efficient.

Benefits for sellers

With one of the main concerns for homeowners being the expense of adding such features, are there any financial benefits? Analysis by Rightmove found that sellers who had made improvements to upgrade their energy performance certificate (EPC) rating from an F to a C had on average achieved 16% more on the price of their property. Green features that have increased the EPC rating from E to C achieved an extra 8%, whereas those that moved from D to C resulted in an extra 4% average.

Your EPC is a snapshot in time and an assessment of your building. It also gives you a list of recommendations on the changes you can make to help improve your home’s efficiency and, in turn, your energy bills. Some of the changes you could potentially make include:

• improving insulation in loft and walls
• replacing your boiler
• installing a wood-burning stove
• adding solar panels.

The experts state

“Improving a property’s green credentials is critically important as the UK strives to hit Net Zero. The immediate challenge is the sheer number of properties that are currently below an EPC rating of C and the costs involved to fix this. There has been much debate about what could happen in the future to homes with poor energy efficiency, and the government has said they will make sure these homes can still get mortgages. But I don’t think it would be a surprise if in ten years’ time we see that people taking out mortgages or remortgaging a home with the lowest EPC ratings find that they miss out on the best mortgage rates.”  Rightmove’s Director of Property Science, Tim Bannister

The long term gain

Not all changes you making to your property will have an instant impact on your finances, features such as solar panels could take between 11 and 27 years to recoup the cost, according to the Energy Saving Trust (EST). Already, in the UK around 1 million properties have installed solar panels, with the number rising rapidly. Depending on how much energy you use, a typical home will save £300 a year, and at the moment any saving, we know, will be warmly appreciated.

Greener future

At Deakin-White we can certainly see a growing need for homes with more energy efficient features, not only with concerns of the cost of living but also climate change. When selling your property, make sure you highlight any green upgrades you have made, as they may help to attract conscious buyers. Give our team a call to discuss the benefits of making your home greener.

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Published: 05 July 2022

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Summer is here and you may be enjoying the warmer weather, festivals and even travelling to exotic shores, so the last thing you may be considering is moving home. Summer has notably not been the favoured season for buying or selling property: sales would often pause until normality returned, but these days technology means everything can keep following along quite nicely. No matter when you decide to sell, it is also good to understand what is happening in the property market and how that affects the value of your home.  You can find out what the market is like for your home today by clicking this link: https://dwrealestate.research.homesearch.co.uk/property-results

Higher, Higher

When Covid hit and the country headed into lockdown, instead of the market stalling there was a frenzy as people reassessed their home and lifestyle, and priorities changed.  House prices have continued to rise with the property market seeing its fifth price record this year, according to Rightmove’s June House Price Index.  Demand for each available property still remains very strong at the moment, in fact it is more than double the pre-pandemic May average; this is despite the challenges we all face with the increasing cost of living.

More choice

One thing all buyers want when looking for a new home is to have a wealth of options. There is nothing more frustrating than to search for months and months and not find exactly what you are looking for. Buyers at the moment can rejoice that the number of properties coming onto the market was up by 7% in May compared to the same time last year. Even though there is more choice, buyers are still having to move quickly and with conviction to secure their ideal home.

The backlog means you need to act

One thing the lockdown did cause was a backlog when it came to the conveyancing part of the process. Instead of the 100 days it took on average to complete a purchase after agreeing a sale in 2019, it is currently taking 150 days. According to Rightmove there are ‘more than 500,000 homes that are currently sold subject to contract, a massive figure which is 44% higher than it was at this time in 2019, and 39% higher than the pre-pandemic five-year average.’

There are obviously variations on this, but it does stress the importance of finding the right conveyancer for your sale and your purchase, to ensure excessive delays will not impact on your sale. Delays in the sales process can make both sellers and buyers anxious, and even have doubts, and when doubts start to set in, that’s when we start to see sales falling through.

Summer selling

How the property market is performing may influence your decision on whether to move home or not, but if you would like an honest discussion about when is the right time for you and your family then please give our Deakin-White team a call or you can find out what the market is like for your home today by clicking this link: https://dwrealestate.research.homesearch.co.uk/property-results

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Published: 20 May 2022

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Everyday we experience things that trigger our senses and make us aware of what is around us. There is no doubt the smell of fresh bread when you pass a bakery will make you think twice about taking a detour. Our five senses (sight, sound, taste, touch, smell) impact our buying decisions on many things, including buying a home. At Deakin-White, we know that understanding the role our senses play in our home-buying choices will help you to make the right decision when buying a home.

Sight seduction

First impression are so important. It is very easy when viewing a home to be seduced by what we see. You want a house that gives you those butterflies, one that offers you the space and style that you seek. But are your eyes playing tricks, seducing you by the fixtures and furnishings rather than you actually taking notice of what the house offers? You need to learn to edit what you see, to, of course, enjoy each space, but try to visualise it without all those beautiful things – will it still give you the same feelings?

Just as beautiful things can win you over, clutter and dated décor can also turn you off, and, again, you need to see the space as it could be and not how it is. There is no doubt this can be a tricky thing to do, but instead of rushing through the chaos spend time to take the room in. Focus on things you can’t change: how much natural light is pouring in, are there any features, and does it offer you the space you need?  Colours have feelings and emotions attached to them, and this can also affect your mood when you enter a room; just remember colours can always be changed.

Naughty noses

There is nothing like a particular scent to evoke a memory and a bit of nostalgia, another powerful emotional buying influencer. Although pleasant smells can bring a smile, a strong or bad odour can give you a really negative response to the home you are viewing. Not all sellers will think about the impact all smells can have on a buyer, which is why you need to decide if it is something you can ignore. Some smells could require further investigation and highlight bigger issues with the property, such as damp and drains, whereas strong artificial scents such as plugins, or even the aroma of food, are temporary and can easily be eliminated.

Serene sounds

When it comes to your home, as you relax at the end of a busy day, you will be seeking a bit of peace and calm. As buyers, we know that you will be turned off by lots of noise and rowdy neighbours. Research has found that loud noise can impair our creativity, thoughts and perceptions, which is why we know excessive sound is something you can’t ignore. It could be worth a visit to the property at different times of the day to experience how the environment sounds as it could vary; also, is there a change in noise between the front and back of the property?

Tantalising touch

Just like a child who cannot resist touching everything they see, when you enter a property you are hoping to buy, of course you are going to want to reach out and touch things. Don’t be afraid to get intimate with the home, look behind doors, check out the space in cupboards and feel the texture of the walls. Reaching out beyond what you can initially see may bring you some unexpected surprises within the property which could influence your decision.

Testing taste

What taste does the property leave you with? You will know in your gut whether this home is a contender.  Your buying decisions will be influenced by your senses, but, as we have suggested, there may be times you take note and times where you may wish to ignore. When buying a property, you want to make the right choice rather than being left with a bitter taste. If you would like more advice on buying a home, contact our team.

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Published: 02 August 2022

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School holidays are officially here, which means it is summer – although our weather doesn’t often play along. When you’re selling your home, you need to bring the essence of the season into the presentation of your property. Summer is a time of fun and happiness, a time of parties in the garden with friends and family, light-filled rooms, and relaxing in the sun.  To maximise your home’s selling potential this summer, take tips from the experts and create inviting scenes and vignettes to make buyers swoon this summer.

Create a hot welcome

Vignettes are used by home stagers, where they create curated scenes to highlight your home’s best features to draw buyers in, and the best results are always achieved when you reflect the season in your design.  Don’t wait for buyers to step inside your property to create a hot welcome: you want them to be wowed at first sight by what your house has to offer.

Your home’s kerb appeal should create a story that depicts the lifestyle potential buyers crave. If it is a quiet spot, is there space for a small bench where you could place a throw and a book? Maybe you could put together the perfect morning coffee spot or spruce up your exterior with bright and colourful seasonal flowers, transforming it to the best looking home on the street.

A sunny start

Now you have grabbed a potential buyer’s attention, you need to keep them excited as they enter your home. Your entrance may be a lovely sized hallway, or lead straight into a room, or look onto your staircase. Regardless of the size and shape, you need to make sure that as your buyers enter your home they have a sunny start that makes a statement. It needs to be bright and airy and clutter free; think about the décor and don’t think twice about it having a freshen-up. Less is more when it comes to accessorising, a vase of freshly cut flowers and a soft-scented candle could be enough.

Zesty kitchen

When you think of summer, you picture bright colours; therefore, this is the ideal season, so add some of these colours subtly into your home – the kitchen is the ideal place. Oranges, limes and lemons can add some zest to your kitchen when place in a large fruit bowl or vase. A summer vignette for the kitchen could be some strawberries and scones placed on a cake stand, or is there space for a little scene in your dining area? Open a few windows to freshen up your home before showing your buyers around for their viewing.

Garden haven

One of the most important ‘rooms’ in your house to focus on is your garden and it’s the perfect setting to play with vignette staging.  If you have the space, you can add a couple of small scenes, such as a place to entertain: don’t clutter, and try to keep the colours you use to a minimum. If your garden is small, a table and chairs, a bottle of wine in an ice bucket and a couple of glasses will be perfect. We would always recommend that you add a place for someone to relax, whether that’s a sun lounger or a chair with some large cushions and a carefully placed magazine.

That warm feeling

The home staging experts know how important it is for a home to project a lifestyle as it helps to generate that warm feeling that all estate agents love to see in potential buyers. Use the summer to add some shine to your home and get your home sold. For more ideas to attract potential buyers this summer, contact our team at Deakin-White.

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Published: 29 June 2022

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On average, we stay in our homes for around 12 years yet Covid saw a surge in people wishing to make that change sooner, although this is slowing a little today. The decision to sell your home can be for a variety of reasons: it could be something that you have been considering for some time, a snap decision or one you have come to due to a change in circumstances. Often there can be financial and emotional factors behind such a move yet you may still be unsure whether to take the leap. How do you know if the time is right? Here are five common signs that it’s time to sell your home.

1. The current market

Before you make the decision on whether it is time to say goodbye to the home you love, it is  always good to understand the current market, especially if you’re thinking of a move due to finances.  According to the latest House Price Index from Rightmove, the average price of a property coming onto the market has risen by 0.3%, reaching another new record high for a fifth consecutive month.

2. Local influence

Locally buyers’ demand still remains high and the quality of those buyers is strong. Today’s buyers know they will need to make quick decisions should they find their ideal home and, therefore, they have to be in a robust position to proceed.

If you’re thinking of selling, you may have been following what is happening in the local market, which of your neighbours’ properties have sold, and, of course, making note of their asking prices.  This is always a good starting point, but if you truly wish to understand how your property will perform, you should always request an appraisal from an estate agent.

3. Feeling the pinch

There is no doubt that we are all feeling the pinch right now as the cost of living crisis continues to affect our household finances. Hopefully you are still able to make ends meet, but we have started to see several buyers who have made the decision to move to ease the burden. We know this will not be a decision you make lightly, but it is worth investigating if you want to reduce your mortgage and any other associated costs. Deciding to sell for this reason, we know, will be an extremely difficult one filled with a wealth of emotions, but we can reassure you at Deakin-White we will support you each and every step of the way.

4. The size isn’t right

As we move through life our family can grow, spread their wings, and come back together. Your needs for your home change as your home and work life continue to evolve. There may be times in your life when your home feels too big and others where you are crying out for more space. One of the main deciding factors for many homeowners looking to sell their home is when they know the size isn’t right. Therefore if you are looking to upsize, downsize or, what has now become increasingly popular, find a home that can bring generations together, if there is a lack or an overabundance of space, it may be time to find a better fit.

5. Too much work

Every home has its needs; you may have fallen in love with a property due to its extensive garden, been swept away by its period features, or been excited by the potential that is hidden within its walls. You may or may not have been aware of how much work you were taking on, but what once was a dream is slowing turning into a nightmare, as the reality of living in and maintaining or renovating such a home hits you.  Keeping hold of a property you have fallen out of love with can be a drain, emotionally as well as financially, as decisions can be rushed rather than thought through properly. Should your feelings start to change about your property, it may be wise to move before how you feel starts to show in the presentation of your home.

What does your gut say
There are never any guarantees when selling your home, but whatever the reason for your move you should always consider all aspects rather than making a hasty decision. If you would like an honest appraisal of your home and the opportunity to discuss the reality of selling in today’s {, give our team a call.

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Published: 13 May 2022

Hits: 775

Summer is quickly approaching, and we long for those fine days where we can enjoy spending time outdoors and enjoying our gardens again. Gardens have a huge role to play when selling your home. The space you have at the front of your home is responsible for that all important first impression. Your main garden is basically another room in your home: it is a place where you can relax, entertain and have fun. It, too, like many rooms in your house, has the potential to make or break a sale and can even add value. Therefore, as we start to spend more time in our outdoor spaces, how can your garden add value and help sell your home?

Adding value

Your garden should be considered as one of your home’s biggest assets and, therefore, needs to be loved and cared for, just like your kitchen or bathroom. In fact, a good garden can increase the value of your home by up to 77% according to research by The Greenhouse People. You don’t need a designer budget or luxurious finishes – there are a number of cost-effective changes you can make that will always benefit the sale of your home, and make buyers extremely happy.

Often it is the small changes that can have the biggest impact. Mowing the lawn so it is looking neat and tidy is a great place to start, unless you are taking part in No Mow May. Launched by the nature charity Plantlife, No Mow May seeks to keep gardens wild, allowing wild plants to thrive and helping to provide nectar for insects. If the rest of your garden is looking pristine, it can be easy to explain why your lawn may be looking more unkept without it deflecting from what your garden has to offer.

When you are looking to decorate a room, you may have thoughtfully considered colours, textures, and zoning of furniture. The same principles should be used when you are looking to design your garden: have distinct areas, use different materials to add texture, and think about your planting for adding colour. Don’t forget those finishing touches such as cushions, lanterns and throws to bring your outside ‘room’ to life.

Like all rooms, you need to have some kind of storage, whether you add a shed in a tucked-away part of the garden, or you use a garage or some other outbuilding. You want somewhere you can place all your gardening tools as well as things like BBQ, summer furniture, bikes, outdoor cushions and other bits and pieces.

Another priority for your garden, and something which is often high on the list of priorities for buyers, is privacy as well as security. There are always things you can do to minimise your garden being overlooked, whether that is through clever planting, bamboo screens or trellis with climbers. Security is also a concern; therefore ensure your fencing and gates are in great condition, and you have lights where needed too.

Be careful you don’t devalue

No matter how much you care for your garden, there could be an enemy within that will not only cause damage but could risk devaluing your home by around 15% according to surveyor experts at Stokemont.com. The most common ‘damaging’ plants to your home’s value include Japanese knotweed. This invasive plant is known for its devasting ability to cause damage wherever it spreads. Did you know its roots can even reach 20 metres underground, making it extraordinarily difficult to get rid of. This is why Japanese knotweed is listed as a defect to the property by RICS Homebuyer Reports. 

Other invasive and damaging plants include giant hogweed and English ivy, due to their fast-growing root systems which can spread out to 40 metres, popular trees such as willow and oak can be dangerous if grown close to property.

Make your garden work for you

There is no doubt, summer buyers will have a strong focus on the outside space your home provides, so don’t miss the opportunity to make your garden work for you. It provides an extra room to your house, as well as having the potential to add value. If you are curious how much your garden upgrades have added value to your home, contact our team at Deakin-White.