Beautiful gardens can seal deal when selling

IF YOU’RE trying to sell your property, don’t underestimate the power of a well-maintained garden, says Mike Greeff, chief executive of Greeff Properties, an affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate.

“Often the strongest factor in the final decision to buy a home is emotion, with responses such as, ‘I just fell in love with the place’ often sealing the deal.

“Would-be sellers can tap into this phenomenon in a number of ways – ranging from a cosmetic lick of paint, to more fundamental remedies necessitating renovations, but when your property shouts that much louder than competing listed homes, your chances of achieving a better price increases.

“First impressions definitely count, so a garden with appeal is often your ticket to getting a potential buyer through the front door,” says Greeff.

“According to our agents buyers are currently drawn to indigenous gardens with a more relaxed and natural arrangement, and vegetable patches also rate very high. Boreholes, raintanks, grey water systems and irrigation systems are all value adders, and vertical garden features such as greenwalls are increasing in popularity too.”

When buying a home, he says budgeting for a garden is often an afterthought, but before you spend fortunes at a nursery, it’s worth calling in an expert to advise on whether or not the plants you prefer are suitable for your garden conditions.

“A plant will look beautiful at a nursery, where it’s growing under ideal conditions, but when you plant it without any research or planning for position, existing soil, aftercare and general maintenance, you could be disappointed – and out of pocket.

“A well researched and a thoughtfully landscaped garden will definitely mean a significant saving in money and time in the long run,” says Greeff.