U.K. homeowners adore gardens
HAVING an attractive garden is more important than having a well-presented bathroom or kitchen, new research has revealed.
The findings by property website Zoopla found that the desire for good design in a property is not exclusively limited to the interiors.
Indeed, the survey of 2,000 found that almost half have been put off buying or renting a property due to the condition of the garden.
It also found that 74 per cent of homeowners either already have considered or would consider spending money on their garden to boost the value of their property.
On average, house-hunters would be willing to spend an extra £14,448 (RM76,408) to buy a home with a garden.
With this in mind, Zoopla urged home sellers and landlords not to overlook the condition of their outdoor space when marketing homes.
Zoopla’s Laura Howard said: “The annual weather in the United Kingdom might be changeable, but the requirement for a garden is steadfast.
“It seems that come rain or shine, nothing will stand between residents and their very own slice of the outdoors.”
The results of the survey revealed some regional differences, with those living in the South East willing to pay the most extra for a garden at £21,925 on average.
By contrast, those in Yorkshire and Humber would pay the smallest premium at £9,068 for a garden with 84 per cent considering outside space to be important.
The research found that Britons spend on average £678 a year to keep their current gardens, terraces and courtyards blooming.
Gardening enthusiasts in the South East spend the most at £812 and those living in the North West spending the last at £518, followed by those in London at £554.
When it comes to the amount people are willing to spend on getting the garden of their dreams at their existing property, people are willing to spend on average £7,339.
Those in the East of England are prepared to spend the most at £10,882, while those in Wales would spend the least at £5,832 on their outside space.
Finally, the survey ranked the most important design features of a garden and found that “having somewhere to sit and relax” is the most popular element, while water features came last with less than one per cent of the vote.
Sarah Morgan, chair of the Society of Garden Designers, said: “It’s well known that the Britons have a passion for gardens and gardening, so it’s not surprising that so many of us consider a beautiful outside space important in our own home.
“Having a garden designed by a professional garden designer can add significant value to a property, but quite apart from the overall ‘wow’ factor, a good garden design can also add something really special to a home.
“Whether it’s a family garden to engage children with the outdoors or a garden room to escape, relax and entertain in, well-designed gardens can truly enrich the lives of the people who live there.”