HAVING a garden is a bonus for any homeowner… but what you put in it could be unknowingly slashing thousands of pounds from the value of your home.
Outdoor features you’ve probably never even thought twice about could even leave you struggling to sell your property, according to experts.
UK house prices fell for a second consecutive month in April, so a well-maintained garden can be a critical asset Credit: Getty
Having a garden should be a big plus for anyone looking to sell, but it could also be home to features that are turning buyers off your property
House prices have been falling in the UK in recent months, with prices dropping 0.5% in March and another 0.1% in April, according to Halifax – so you’ll want to get as competitive a price as possible if you’re selling up.
These are the six value-killers that could be lurking in your garden.
And having several of them could slash over £75,000 from your home’s sale price.
Garden gnomes
Gnomes may distract potential buyers from the property itself and can damage first impressions, say experts Credit: Getty
They might look harmless, but according to Jonny Christie, co-founder of The Property Buying Company, “divisive” garden gnomes can damage a buyer’s first impression of your home.
“From our experience buying thousands of homes across the UK, overly cluttered or eccentric garden displays, gnomes included, can make a property feel less move-in ready and more like someone else’s personal project,” he said.
Jonny’s advice is that “less is more” when it comes to selling your home.
While one well-placed gnome isn’t going to impact your asking price, he added: “The issue arises when a front garden becomes a gnome village. At that point, you’re distracting buyers from the property itself.
“Buyers want to picture themselves in a property, and the fewer personal touches on display, the easier that becomes.
“A clean lawn, neat borders, and a freshly painted front door will always do more for your sale price than any garden ornament.”
Hot tubs
A hot tub may seem like a bonus feature for buyers, but it can actually put them off making an offer Credit: Getty
If you thought adding a hot tub to your garden would make your home more appealing to future buyers, think again.
Luke Newnes, gardening expert at Hillarys, says this is one of the “biggest misconceptions” by homeowners.
“While some people love them, many buyers see a hot tub as a maintenance headache, a safety worry or something they’ll need to remove.”
He said it can knock between £3,000 and £7,000 from offers – especially if it takes up lots of space in the garden or looks dated.
Bright (or really dark) colours
Painting features like fences bright colours may not appeal to everyone’s tastes and makes it harder for buyers to picture themselves in the space Credit: Alamy
Beware of being overly adventurous with any DIY paintwork… it could come back to bite you when selling.
If you’re painting things like fences, avoid any really bright or dark shades, says Dulux colour expert Marianne Shillingford.
“Bright neons or overly vibrant shades can feel quite dominant in an outdoor space and may not appeal to everyone’s taste.
“Equally, very dark colours used without balance can make a garden feel enclosed or smaller than it is, particularly if there isn’t enough planting or lighter elements to soften the look.”
Instead, she suggests going for deeper tones like blue slate or black ash, which work especially well as a backdrop to greenery and flowers.
Soft, nature-inspired shades like moss or barley also tend to work well, she adds.
Fake grass
Artificial grass can divide opinions among buyers, experts warn. Although it can be seen as a positive by families Credit: Getty
It may not take any upkeep, but fake grass could be turning away buyers or leaving you with a lower offer than you wanted.
“Artificial lawns can really divide opinion among buyers,” says Luke Saywell, partner at Nottinghamshire estate agents Gascoines.
“Some people see them as a low-maintenance option while others prefer a traditional lawn that invites nature into the garden.”
He claims that, in some cases, artificial grass can knock up to £1,000 off the value of your home.
“However, it can be considered a bonus among certain buyer groups, such as families, as they often find it more practical with children.”
Overgrown plants and weeds
Experts claim having an overgrown garden could knock up to £5,000 from the value of your home Credit: Alamy
An overgrown and unkempt garden is a real turn-off for buyers, says Luke.
In fact, he claims it can knock up to £5,000 off the value of your home.
He says: “If you do keep your lawn natural, severely overgrown grass could have a worse effect than artificial, as an unkempt garden gives an impression of neglect, which buyers often think is reflected on the interior too.
“A manageable garden can save buyers money in the long run, and ensure your property gains its maximum market value.”
Japanese knotweed
Japanese knotweed is a major turn-off for buyers as it can cause structural damage to property Credit: Getty
This pesky weed is a huge no-no for homebuyers, as it can grow up to 10cm a day and can even cause structural damage to walls, drains and floors in properties.
According to Lyman Marshall Chartered Surveyors, it can slash the value of your home by up to a huge 20%.
So if you were hoping to get £300,000 for your property, the discovery of Japanese knotweed could knock £60,000 off that, leaving you with £240,000.
Property expert and former Location, Location, Location star Phil Spencer said: “If you’re unlucky enough to find it on your property, act quickly and seek expert advice.
“Trying to remove it yourself can make the problem worse, so you may need the help of a professional who has access to the right herbicide.
“Once it’s been removed, you may need to take out a special indemnity policy that would cover the cost of any future treatment if you get a fresh outbreak, as well as any damage caused by the plant or third-party legal fees incurred if the plant spreads onto neighbouring properties.”
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