How to increase the value of your home: the garden

12-11-07, UpMyStreet ©

As well as providing a pleasant outdoor area for your property, a well-kept garden can be a valuable asset. 73% of UpMyStreet users prefer a property with a garden than one with a guest room. Buyers are willing to pay a £10,000 premium to secure a property with a garden, according to Halifax.

Making the most of your outdoor space can create a showstopping feature that will help sell your home for the maximum price. Follow these tips to get your garden in order.

1. Do some basic maintenance

Keeping your garden in good condition is vital. If it needs some work, start out by spending a day getting the basics right. Mow the lawn, pull up weeds, lay new turf, prune hedges, plant flowers and fix broken paving stones or fence panels. If a neighbour's trees or plants are growing over your fence, you're legally entitled to cut them back.

if you don't want to get your hands dirty, hire a gardener to help maintain your garden on a fortnightly or monthly basis for £30 - £40.

2. Identify different uses

Your garden needs to appeal to different buyers to maximise the value it adds to your property, and one way of achieving this is through demonstrating the various functions the space can perform. Clutter-free green spaces make good children's play areas or sunbathing spots. Adding some garden furniture to your patio area will create an al fresco dining area.

Other ideas include a vegetable patch at the bottom of your garden to grow your own fresh produce, or a built-in barbecue area.

3. Consider popular features

Decking, modern and relatively inexpensive, is a popular option with many homebuyers that could add value, particularly in sections of the garden not in use, such as awkwardly shaped spaces or infertile soil. But don't go overboard and take away too much lawn space, and leave it to a professional tradesman to lay if you're unsure.

A water feature creates a tranquil atmosphere and gives your garden a focal point - but if you're only installing one in order to sell your property, the cost will eat heavily into the value it will add to your property. Minor finishing touches such as tree lights, garden furniture, hanging baskets and pretty plants pots can give your garden a high quality finish.

4. Plan for all four seasons

Your garden needs to look attractive and appealing all year round, not just in spring or summer when your flowers have bloomed. Bear in mind that you can't guarantee how long your property will be on the market. It's all down to getting the right plants, says Alan Titchmarsh:

"Winter shrubs may not have the wow factor of their summer-flowering chums, but well arranged they’ll give you a new look that’s subtle and understated – just right for accentuating the changing seasons. Witch hazel has always been one of my favourites."

Use the guide to the right-hand side for some seasonal plant and flower ideas.

5. Plan your time

Managing your garden is a year-round job. Here are some of the key tasks you should be completing each season:

Spring: sow seeds, weed, prune flowering shrubs

Summer: look after blooming flowers and plants, keep the lawn tidy

Autumn: plant spring bulbs, clear up and compost fallen leaves

Winter: plan for next year, keep patio clean

6. Create extra storage

Your outdoor area should also double up as extra storage space - a good selling point for smaller properties. Sheds appeal to those with a lack of indoor space as well as gardening enthusiasts. A cheaper and smaller alternative available from most DIY stores and garden centres is a purpose-built metal or wooden storage unit.

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