Is it curb appeal or kerb appeal?
We still do not know the answer, but either way if you are selling your home you need to give it some serious consideration.
Read on for some top tips on how to make sure that your home gives the best kerbside impression this gloomy January.
In 2019 the average distance that a homeowner relocated was just 9 miles.
So what does this mean to you?
This means that YOUR prospective buyer most likely lives close enough to your home to “drive by '' & inspect it before even contacting the estate agent for an official viewing.
Whiteley based Property Expert and Bespoke Estate Agent Jack Rees of Jack Rees Estates knows this all too well, and strongly advises his clients to pay attention to the presentation of the front of their properties to make that best impression from the outset.
“The external appearance of a property is often overlooked by sellers when it comes to marketing their homes for sale. It is reported that we have 7 seconds in which to make a good first impression and during that brief timeframe, potential buyers can create an indelible impression of your property”.
Jack Rees, JACK REES ESTATES
Whiteley, HampshirE
We know that maintaining an epic looking front garden or driveway can be tough at the best of times, let alone in a cold January.
“There is nothing worse than looking at a sad and neglected garden
when it's raining outside”.
Jo Head, Plan a Head
Stubbington, Hampshire
But, no fear Home Sellers! Jo Head, owner of local sought after Garden Design Consultants, Plan a Head Gardens has kindly shared with Little Barn Door her 5 quick wins to make your garden look respectable during the winter months:
Remove and sweep up dead leaves and foliage that are collecting in windswept corners and under plants.
Whilst leaving the leaves is actually good long term for wildlife and returns nutrients back into the soil they can look unsightly and clutter up garden spaces.
Bark Mulch is your friend
Add a bark mulch onto the borders. Not only does this look more attractive than bare areas of soil but helps to suppress weeds and protect plant roots.
Add colour with welcoming potted plants.
A display of bright pot with a mixture of flower and foliage is always a welcoming site to any front door in winter.
Ensure there are interesting evergreen plants in there such as Buxus sempervirens; skimmia; variegated euonymous; plum leaf heuchera to bulk out your pots.
Brighten up borders with winter bedding
Winter borders can be brightened up using cyclamen, winter flowering pansies, violas and primula. Larger shrubs such as Viburnum tinus, cornus (dogwood) Daphne odora can also be used to create winter interest. On a dark, dank wall plant a climbing Jasmine nudiflorum with its bright yellow flowers. Winter container gardening relies as much on foliage as well as flower grasses such as Festuca and evergreen ferns like Asplenium scolopendrium.
Secure your garden structures
Ensure that fences and other garden structures such as pergolas and decking are fully maintained and looking as best they can at this time of year. Buyers want to invest in a secure property and not one that will blow away in one puff.
If you are selling your Hampshire home and want more advice or support with adding interest to your garden or driveway, contact Jo for local garden tips, design and personal shopping. Based in Stubbington, Jo is invaluable to anyone needing a little garden advice to sell their property in Gosport, Fareham or the surrounding areas.
Thank you to both Jack Rees & Jo Head for their expert views in this week’s LBD blog.
Find out more about Jack and Jo and their local Hampshire businesses below.
Whiteley Estate Agent - Jack Rees Estates
Garden Design Services - Plan A Head Garden Design
Have a great week,
Natalie