First impressions Count!

April 5, 2015 by Rob Kahl at Scott & Stapleton

First Impressions Count

The weather seems to be turning and we are very much in to Spring. Together with a bank holiday weekend there really are no excuses not to be out in the garden.

This even applies of you are selling or renting your property. Just because you are moving doesn’t mean you don’t have to bother and can just leave it to ‘jungle’. It may be even more important.

When you're selling or renting a property over the winter months, people viewing are usually understanding if your garden is looking particularly bare and people won’t be expecting to see a perfect lawn. Now though, at this time of year there are no excuses and people want and expect to see a pleasant, well tended garden.

Front gardens are the most important part and so often overlooked. A welcoming, tidy front garden could mean the difference of somebody bothering to look inside your house or not.

Most people will drive past a property before viewing inside and obviously on those all important property details the front garden is one of the first things they will see. If they can’t see the house because of your overgrown front garden or car that is up on bricks is blocking the path to the front door, it will not be the best first impression.

During the viewing as well, it is important to show off the rear garden as best as you can. People may not expect you to have perfect Wimbledonesque stripes in your lawn, but neat grass and well stocked colourful borders are always a welcome sight.

It is always best to actually see the garden, even if the lawn is a little downtrodden, rather than hundreds of children’s toys strewn all around the place. If they have been left out all over winter, are dirty and looking a bit sorry for themselves, this doesn't always create the best impression.

It may be a bit too early in the year to use it, but if you are doing a viewing, get the patio furniture out and lay it out. Tell your potential buyers or tenants what a lovely area it is to sit in or have a meal or BBQ, make it easy for them to imagine themselves there.

If you have a flat and even if the garden is not yours, don’t think you can get away with it either. It may be in your best interest if you want to sell or rent the property, to get out there yourself and tidy up the garden. Even if they are communal and it is supposed to be the managing agents job, it reflects on you and your property so it is worth that little bit of effort.

Finally, if the front garden belongs to another resident, you may have to have a difficult conversation with them to tidy it up or it may be that you have to offer to do it yourself. It will be worth it in the end if it means you move sooner rather than later and get the outcome you’re looking for.

This article is by Rob Kahl @ Scott & Stapleton Estate Agents
Tel: 01702 47 11 55