Make sure the garden looks good

While it’s difficult to say exactly how much a
well-maintained garden can add to the value of your house, real estate agents agree that it can be the difference between selling and not selling your property.
This is why real estate agents insist serious sellers get their gardens into shape before they put their house on the market.
According to a US study conducted by Clemson University and the University of Maryland, homebuyers will pay up to 11.3 per cent above the asking price for homes with well-designed landscapes.
And according to the Real Estate Institute of South Australia it is not uncommon for people to make a decision on the property before even entering the front door, so the importance of a great garden should not be underestimated.
Michael Glynn, from reputable Sydney real estate agency McGrath Partners, often advises clients to get into the garden and fix it up before they put their house on the market.
“A little country cottage garden can be instantly captivating, it immediately tugs at the emotional strings and looks and feels homely,” he said.
“But it’s a question of aesthetics, for example a Zen garden may be more fitting to the look and feel of your home.”
While many people look for privacy, shade and protection from a garden, for most, easy maintenance tops the list of demands. Getting your garden looking its best before you sell it doesn't mean you need to hire professional landscapers or the team from your favourite home renovating program. But, if you want to get the best price for your house, don't put it on the market until you've given it a good tidy up.
Further information is available from your local nursery or gardening centre or by calling the Scotts gardening advice line on 1800 804 219 or visiting www.scottsaustralia. com.au

Scotts Australia’s tips to have your garden looking gorgeous

• Get rid of those unsightly weeds. Use Roundup® Ready To Use and you’ll get rid of weeds quickly, effectively and safely from all areas of your garden including pathways or between the cracks in the pavers.
• Once you’ve weeded your garden beds, apply some good fertiliser. Scotts recommend Osmocote® PLUS controlled release plant food for your pots.
• Remember you can always cheat a bit by planting some seedlings. Try “grown ups” advanced seedlings already in flower, to add instant colour to your garden.
• Tidy all straggly shrubs by pruning carefully and shaping, and trim hedges.
• White flowers are especially popular right now, so plant a line of standard iceberg roses near your front door.
• Make sure you remember to water both your plants and your lawn to keep them in tip-top condition.
• It’s also a good idea to aerate your lawn to get rid of any staleness and to let air and water penetrate right down to thirsty roots.
• Give your plants an energy boost and they will look healthier within days. Mix Miracle-Gro® Plant Food with water and apply over all pot and garden plants.