by Emma Mitchell Summer is certainly upon us, and with it comes warmer weather and longer-lasting days.
It’s also the season when many people venture outside – something that is considered a luxury following successive lockdowns caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
With this in mind, it’s no surprise that a garden is now the number one must-have property feature for UK homebuyers, according to recent data from GoCompare Home Insurance.
As a seller, putting your garden at the forefront of your marketing campaign could put you in a much better position than before.
Below, we analyse the findings and list the most efficient ways to make the most of your garden before you come to sell.
Gardens top the list of must-have features
Gardens ranked as the top must-have property feature for the first time this year – knocking central heating off the top spot.
The results of the GoCompare UK Property Must-Haves survey reflect the increasing importance Brits now place on gardens and outdoor spaces.
The study takes place after a string of lockdown measures that resulted in people spending more time indoors to work and study. With restrictions easing, access to green space has skyrocketed in importance, meaning homes with gardens are in higher demand than ever before.
A whopping 69% of respondents ranked gardens as an essential home feature. This is a vast improvement from the ranking in 2014, when gardens placed fourth on the list.
What other features are important for buyers?
While features such as central heating, double glazing and secure doors and windows retained roughly the same importance over the years, other big movers in the 2021 survey highlighted the importance of technology in the home.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, access to 4G or 5G, good reliable broadband and mobile phone signal all ranked in the top 20. There was also a requirement for a property to have plenty of electrical sockets and room to accommodate a large flat screen TV.
In the 2014 survey, only 10% of people thought the latter was important, compared with 45% in 2021.
Making the most of your garden for a sale
With research showing that the vast majority of buyers appreciate garden and outdoor space, it’s crucial that your garden is in top condition for virtual and in-person viewings.
This means carrying out a range of basic, cost-effective tasks such as de-weeding, washing your patio, clearing away garden waste, sprucing up garden furniture, mowing the lawn and, now that the season calls for it, incorporating potted plants.
If your garden boasts any features such as a barbecue area, pond or decking, then ensure they stand out as much as possible during viewings.
Also, consider incorporating solar lights for some added flair to your outdoor space. This could particularly help when conducting evening viewings.
No matter the size of your garden and outdoor space, ensuring it is neat and tidy can make it more inviting and, in turn, improve your chances of securing the right asking price and above.
Here at Chimneypots estate agents, we are doing all we can to help our clients conduct business in a safe and secure manner. If you require further guidance on selling your home successfully in South Coast locations – such as Southampton and Portsmouth – please contact our team on 01489 584298.
To find out what you could sell your home for, why not check out our instant online sales valuation tool?
