Cultivating Sales

As summer approaches, barbecues will be sizzling right across the county, and gardens are coming into their own.

If you’re selling a home at this time of year, you need to remember that optimism about the weather is a peculiarly British trait, and even though we are so often disappointed that the summer doesn’t feature wall-to-wall sunshine, many people nevertheless aspire to outdoor living, so, potential buyers will want to imagine themselves enjoying their outdoor living space just as much as the interior.

You might get away with a nondescript exterior during the winter months (although a splash of colour never does any harm), but at this time of year, a tidy, well-kept garden is a major part of a property’s appeal.

Buyers know that if the garden – both front and back – is tidy and well-maintained, then the interior will be equally attractive.  It shows that the owner cares about the property.

And when the sun is shining, buyers want to visualise themselves relaxing in the garden, grilling sausages on the barbecue, and watching the kids play.  That visualisation becomes much easier if your outside space is already set up for that kind of outdoor lifestyle.

So if you are selling, why not take a good look at your garden? It is amazing how much difference just a few easy steps can make: cut the lawn (adding stripes if you can), trim the edges, prune overgrown shrubs, scrub the moss off your patio or decking, and get to the garden centre to buy some colourful bedding plants.

None of this need cost massive amounts of cash, or take hours of your time, but it will add considerably to the immediate appeal for potential buyers, attracting more viewings, and making those viewings more likely to blossom into a sale.

One final thought: getting out in the garden isn’t just good for your sales prospects.  Surveys have repeatedly shown that gardeners are less likely to be unhappy or depressed; 80 per cent of gardeners feel satisfied with their lives, against 67 per cent of non-gardeners.  What’s more, gardening is excellent cardiovascular exercise, so it will make you physically fitter as well.

So enjoy the sunshine, and get out there and plant the seeds of sales success!