How to prepare your outdoor areas in Winter.

In May 2020 the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors conducted a Residential Market Survey and asked their members for feedback on potential shifts in the priorities of house buyers over the following two years based on what buyers were telling them was the most important thing to them when selecting a property.  Eighty-one per cent reported that there is a rising desire for properties with gardens or balconies.

This demonstrates very clearly that your outside space should not be an afterthought when you are getting your property ready to put on the market. In many cases it can make the difference between a sale or no sale.

In the Spring and Summer it is easy to make your garden look its best but, that does not mean that you should give up on making your garden look attractive in the Autumn or Winter. With just a little bit of effort you can turn your winter garden from drab to fabulous.

Make sure that your outdoor space is clean and tidy. Pull up any weeds, trim the grass if necessary, remove moss from paths and make sure your outdoor furniture is clean and tidy.

Spring is the season that we all associate with a colourful garden but it is possible to add some colour to your garden in the Winter too. Colourful pots and a few winter flowering plants can really brighten up the space.

The pandemic has led to us spending more time socialising outside so it is no wonder that many potential buyers find outside areas designed for entertaining attractive when looking for a new property.

If you don’t already have one they are easy to create. A fire pit or chiminea can provide a source of welcome warmth in the chilly months and a gazebo is excellent for providing shelter from both sun and rain. Blankets and waterproof cushions can help to make outdoor seating cosy and the addition of fairy lights can really help to show your garden off if viewings occur late in the afternoon when the light is starting to dim.

Don’t forget to declutter and tidy up your outbuildings. They are a part of the property that you are trying to sell so you should endeavour to keep them as well maintained and tidy as your home in order to maximise your sale price.

Attracting wildlife to our gardens is beneficial both for them and for us. Whilst food is scarce, birds are grateful for any nuts and seeds we put out for them and in return provide us with a colourful display as they fly around our gardens helping to create a feeling of tranquillity and calm that many buyers find desirable.

I am always happy to come and take a look at your property and make suggestions on how to prepare to bring your property to market successfully so please give me a call on 01525 261100 if you would like me to come and give you some ideas for your outdoor areas.