How important is a garden when buying a house?

Every prospective homeowner will have their own idea of the 'perfect' home. Some people may seek large, open-plan spaces while others may seek something a little smaller and cosier. While many buyers will initially place all of their focus on the interior of the homes that they are viewing, it is also just as important to consider the exterior. After experiencing the grips of a global pandemic, a Nationwide survey in 2020 showed that 30% of buyers were looking for homes that had access to a garden and that 63% were looking for homes with a bigger garden than their current home.

Homes with large gardens often come with a higher price tag and, while lockdown has created a need for private outdoor space, exactly how important is a garden when buying a house? This article will delve into the pros and cons of garden homes to determine whether a garden should be on every buyer's checklist or if the demand is just the result of lockdown fever.

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How important is a garden when buying a house?

The apparent demand for gardens would suggest that they are pretty important when buying a house. However, the reality will depend entirely on your own individual needs. While gardens are a great addition to any home, some people may be able to afford to keep them away from the top of their list. Gardens require regular maintenance to hold their value, so if this is something that you cannot commit to, you may want to hold your horses when it comes to searching for a garden.

Who might a garden not be suitable for?

Gardens may not be the best option for busy professionals who do not have the time to carry out regular maintenance to hold the garden's value. These people could include:

• People who often travel for work
• People who have little free time for gardening
• People who live alone and may not be able to handle the task of caring for a garden by themselves

If a garden is not maintained, the costs of restoring it can add up. For those who may not use their garden that often, these costs can seem unnecessary and a little frustrating.

What are the benefits of having a garden?

For those that can commit to maintaining a garden, having one in your new home can provide many benefits. If lockdown has taught us one thing, it's that outdoor space is an essential part of well-being- 35% of Brits claim that gardening helps them to relax! Having a garden is seen as a luxury by those who aren't so fortunate and they are definitely something to consider for prospective homeowners.

Increase property value

Homeowners can easily increase the value of their property by restoring their garden and keeping it well-maintained. Having a garden space can increase the value of your property by 5 per cent and this value could increase even more if you were to invest in a garden room, patio or other extra feature. For buyers, a home with a garden presents a huge renovation opportunity that could add value to your original investment. When looking at gardens, consider those that have the potential to be updated or remodelled and will add value to your home.

Improve mental health

It is no secret that access to green space can have huge benefits for mental health. Even if you don't fancy yourself as a keen gardener, simply being outside surrounded by green space has been shown to improve wellbeing. This is definitely something to consider when choosing a new home.

Family expansion

Buying a home with a garden could make things easier when you choose to expand your family and have children. While a gardenless flat may be perfect for a young couple, larger families will undoubtedly want more space and every child loves to play outside. You may not be rushing to have a family now, but investing in a property with a garden is a great way to prepare yourself for the future.

Ideal for pets

Another way that you may choose to expand your family is to introduce some furry friends into your home. If you think that you may want to introduce a puppy or kitten into your life any time soon, you should definitely consider buying a home with a garden so that they have space to play, without tearing up your home!

Improve physical health

As well as improving mental wellbeing, having a garden could make some positive changes to your physical health as well. Gardening itself is a manual task that can build up an impressive amount of strength. You could also use your garden space for some outdoor exercise or simply taking a short stroll in the sunshine. Any amount of increased physical activity will have long-term benefits to your overall health.

What to look for in a garden when buying a house

Buying a property with a garden is definitely worth it, however, the benefits of having a garden will depend on the type of garden that a property possesses. To get the best value for money from your new garden, there are a few things that you should look for:

• Types of plants and trees: Some species of greenery will be much harder, and time-consuming, to maintain than others.
• Which way does the garden face?: South-facing gardens tend to receive more light.
• Easy access: The way that you can access a garden usually cannot be changed, so it's important to make sure that the garden can be easily accessed before purchasing.
• Fencing and sheds: It can cost a lot of money to restore a broken fence or fit a new shed into a garden. Make sure these features are already standing before you buy.
• Maintenance: It's always worth considering how manageable the maintenance of a garden will be before you make your final decision.

If you are a prospective homeowner looking to get a mortgage for your dream home, our team of mentors could help! We have a whole range of resources to help buyers make the most of their money and receive the best mortgage deal for them. To find out more, get in touch with us today.

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