How valuable is a Garden?
Post-covid restrictions saw the demand of open spaces and easily accessible green areas rise considerably. According to Rightmove, properties with garages have been valued higher by buyers purely because they offer potential for storage but can be converted to a spare room, home office, home gym or space to accommodate any other hobbies.
From painting, DIY and engineering to hosting BBQs with friends and family in the summer months, the value in outside space has significantly risen and is reflected in market trends. Rightmove’s keyword data collected between 10th March- 14th April 2020 saw the key words “pool” and “garden” rise up the rankings. Click here to read more information.
It is unsurprising given the record breaking heatwave the UK has experienced this summer, properties with gardens will continue to be valued commodities. With another heatwave predicted for August 2022, here is a list of things to look for in properties with gardens:
Does the garden add value to the property?
If you are looking to buy a property with a well-designed, beautiful garden- of course this will add value to the property and therefore make it easier to sell. However, as a buyer, you should assess how much work would need to be done to fix the garden up if it has been neglected as you could incur extra costs by hiring a landscaper or skip to clear waste, or even time and materials needed to fix up with DIY.
Problematic foliage
If your garden is overgrown with weeds or difficult trees, you may experience difficulty in removing certain species of plants as they can cause extensive structural damage. It is important to find out whether your property’s drainage system, garden walls or even foundations could be at risk, from surveys before exchanging and moving in. Structural damage is not uncommon in instances where mature trees are left to grow too close to home, resulting in subsidence (the gradual sinking of an area of land). It would be best to hire a reputable surveyor to assess the property prior to purchase. The Home Buyer Report should highlight any problems allowing you to make a fully informed decision on the property.
North vs South
It is common knowledge that south-facing gardens receive more light, which is something to consider if you would like to grow your own plants or sunbathe, when good weather permits it. Although, there may be other implications. A north-facing garden would be less well lit by natural sunlight, but would be cooler too- this could also impact on the type of plants you can grow if you are a keen gardener. North-facing gardens tend to retain more water than south-facing ones, meaning drainage could be an issue.
It is also important to consider the different between facing east and west. If you like to spend your evenings in the garden but are out at work all day, a west-facing garden might suit you as you would benefit the sun setting in the west. However, if you would prefer your morning coffee in fresh air, an east-facing garden may be your personal preference.
Not all descriptions may state which way the garden faces but you could ask your agent whilst you are on a viewing. It might also be worth checking on your smartphone with the compass feature, this would give an accurate and unbiased assessment of where the garden is situated.
Access
Many semi-detached houses will have side entrances to the garden, some may not (perhaps due to garages or extensions being built on the side of the home). How you get in to the garden usually cannot be changed, whatever the outcome- you will have access to the garden via the house, as is the case for townhouses and many mid-terraced properties. This may not be an issue for daily use but in the event that you need work done to the rear of the house, or even if you need to have your windows cleaned, how would you get around this obstacle? Not having easy access to the garden from the outside of a property can be a problem, so it is worth bearing in mind when you are viewing a house.
Sheds and fences
A good shed can be a positive addition to any garden, ideal for storage and could even become a focal point from an interior design perspective. If the property has a shed, make sure it is secure and sturdy- check the locks and integrity of doors and windows. Likewise, a shed in poor condition can be a liability as it could deteriorate progressively until it is easier to knock it down and replace it. Although perhaps self-explanatory, always assess the state of the shed, especially if you are looking to avoid extra work.
Fences that have been neglected can also cause their own number of issues. It is quite common to think that you would only have one half of the garden fence to worry about due to boundary rulings (check with your agent). This could be a contributing factor as to whose responsibility it is to maintain or replace a damaged fence.
General Maintenance
A number of factors may affect the outcome but you should keep in mind maintenance requirements when considering a property. Will you have time to upkeep the outdoor area? Will you need a gardener? Are you satisfied with the landscaping, or will changes be made for improvements? Although the answers to these questions may not factor in to your overall decision, it is something worth keeping in mind. Additional costs can eventually add up, make sure your plan to cover potential costs from your garden is factored in to the affordability of your new home.
Although the bricks and mortar aspect of buying your new home is certainly crucial when choosing a property, it is important to pay attention to what is going on outside of the home too. If you are considering moving, speak to an adviser to discuss the right options for you.
YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE