Levene Chartered Surveyors Property Tips and Advice

Presenting Your Property

Presenting your Garden


You Garden or Patio Must be Tidy.

Whatever the time of year your garden or patio area must be tidy. This means sweeping up leaves and debris on a regular basis, keeping flower beds weeded, lawns mown and hedges clipped. Front gardens are a real pain, as rubbish will often get blown in from the street and undermine any appeal from that street that your property may have. Be extra vigilant before potential purchasers arrive.

Make sure the Gate Works Properly.

If you have a gate make sure it works properly, oil the hinges and make sure it has been painted or treated recently. If you have wooden fencing, this should also be treated.

Clear Out Garden Structures.

Clear out any outhouses, garages, sheds and greenhouses. These are often neglected areas of our homes and become dumping grounds for the clutter removed from living spaces. A thorough sorting out and several trips to the recycling centre/tip are well advised. Put loose items in storage boxes and remove any and all evidence of cobwebs. Wooden sheds should be treated as for fencing; greenhouse glass should be cleaned.

Keep the Garden Clear.

Children's toys and bicycles should be tidied away as much as possible. Rubbish bins should be kept in a bin tidy or, at the very least, somewhere unobtrusive.

Make sure Outside Areas and Furniture are Clean.

Clean patios, terraces, decking, steps and garden furniture with a suitable cleaner. Lichens and mosses can be slippery, as well as looking unsightly. Furniture should be clean, even in winter.

Garden Furniture.

If you are considering buying new garden furniture, avoid white plastic. Even small areas, such as a balcony, can benefit from a table and chairs. It makes the space look useable and adds an extra dimension to your home. Water features are very popular, but consider your potential purchaser before investing in a grand fountain or pond.

If you are selling a family home, large water features may be a negative because of the dangers to small children or pets.

Gardens

Gardens need a bit of colour and interest, whatever the season. In the winter, plant pots and other containers with hardy, variegated evergreens, and the occasional flowering shrub. If you are thinking of selling in the spring, plant your containers with bulbs during the previous autumn for a colourful display. If you haven't thought this far ahead, you can buy pots of flowering bulbs from garden centres. The pots can be buried in empty flowerbeds and lifted once the blooms are over and replaced with bedding plants.

Keep the view of your Garden Clear.

Make sure that the view of your garden from inside your home is clear. This is really important in the winter, when venturing out into the garden might be a cold and wet experience, not appreciated by potential purchasers. The windows should be clean and the view unobstructed by blinds, curtains or ornaments on the windowsills.

We are happy to help you with even more tailored advice with regards to presenting your garden should you wish us to. Please give our friendly staff a call on 0208 977 6886 or use our contact page to get in touch.


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