Gardens are big value add for properties

Posted: 22 May 2008 11:04:02 GMT

As sellers struggle to achieve the asking price for their homes, an industry expert has revealed that a garden could add as much as 20 per cent to the value of a property.

As sellers struggle to achieve the asking price for their homes, an industry expert has revealed that a garden could add as much as 20 per cent to the value of a property.

Gardeners' World Magazine yesterday gave advice on ways sellers can improve their outside space, to maximise return on investment.

Lucy Hall, deputy editor of BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, explained: "If you're aiming to sell, the rules for the garden are the same as for the house – take old pots and rubbish to the dump, pull out anything dead or that screams weed and sprinkle a few easy-grow seeds, such as poppies, for quick colour."

Ms Hall commented that gardens are of particular interest to families, who are "crying out for safe and private space", regardless of whether they are looking in the town or country.

The Guardian recently reported that as a nation the British spend £4 billion a year on plants and accessories for gardens.

Retailers suggest that the credit crunch will not affect this area of consumer spending as an increasing number of people choose to save by spending more time at home and in their gardens.

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