How to prepare the garden for sale
Practical guidance for homeowners across Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire.
When a house is going on the market, the garden does not need to be redesigned. It needs to feel cared for, easy to understand and straightforward to live with.
Tidy up and make access clear
Start with the basics. Mow lawns, edge paths, weed beds, prune anything blocking windows or routes and remove dead or failing plants. Clear clutter and deal with broken pots, damaged furniture and unused materials.
Make access obvious. Gates should work, paths should be clear and boundaries should look secure. Small repairs to fences, steps and paving can make a garden feel much better looked after.
Look from the house
Then look at the garden from the house. Buyers often see it through windows before they walk outside. Remove anything that dominates the view for the wrong reason.
A few simple planting improvements can help, especially near entrances, terraces and seating areas. The aim is not to create a show garden but to make the space feel pleasant and usable.
Keep the work proportionate
Avoid starting major work unless there is a clear problem that could put buyers off, such as dangerous structures, serious drainage issues or obvious neglect.
Gather useful records
Finally, make the garden easy to explain. If there is irrigation, lighting, a pond, garden building or pool, gather instructions, service records and warranties.
A well-presented garden should make the property feel more complete, not leave the buyer wondering how much work is waiting for them.
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