Its all about kerb appeal

I was shocked when I heard that people make up their minds about another person within the first 3-5 seconds of meeting them. Once formed these first impressions are almost impossible to change. Their opinions are based mainly on your appearance and the same is true when someone is deciding whether or not they like a house. As soon as they step out of the car and see the outside of your property a potential buyer has formed an opinion of the house and whether they would like to live there. If someone has formed a negative impression of your house based on the outside, however nicely you may have presented the inside of the property this negativity will persist and you will not be able to change their mind. The negativity is made worse if they look out onto a depressing and toy strewn back garden that hasn’t seen a lawnmower for years.

Very few of us would consider going to an interview, business meeting, or on a blind date without making an effort with our appearance. Us girls would make sure our hair had been cut and coloured recently, put on some make up appropriate for the occasion (subtle for a day time encounter, a bit more glamorous for the evening), wear our best suit for a business meeting or interview, and something flattering, subtle but sexy for a date. In other words we would put a great deal of thought into our appearance and the impression we want to create. Yet people are happy to show a property that they are expecting to get six figure sum for without giving a thought to whether the exterior is creating a good first impression. You need to make an effort and maybe even spend a little money to persuade people to give you top dollar for your house, especially in the current climate.

Most of the time a good tidy up, some nice pots, and a few new plants will do the trick. It very much depends on the type of house you’re trying to sell. You might need to do something more radical if you are trying to sell a prestige property with a decidedly un-prestige garden. The expense will be recouped when you sell the house, and will certainly make a difference to your chances of making a sale in the current climate. It’s all about separating yourself from the competition and making the best of your property.

If you need a hand with getting a little more kerb appeal and live in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Surrey, Hampshire or London, you might like to take advantage of my Garden Audit service.