First Impressions Count

First impressions count so they say and not a truer word can be said for selling your property. One of the key areas that could need your attention is the front garden which can make a vast difference to the overall appearance and appeal of your home.  At this time of year it is perfect timing to brighten up your front garden with hanging baskets window boxes troughs and tubs planted with colourful plants. 

You may not be in to the hassle of maintaining a pristine front lawn but there are low maintenance alternatives that can still achieve the same effect and improvement to that first view of your property.

A bit of a spruce up

Using slate chips, gravel or pebbles, all readily available from garden centres, offer a low cost option with a maximum effect. Increasing expenditure could be block paving slabs which can be hosed down. Mix in a few flowerbeds and there you go a stunning easy to maintain front garden.

On the other hand

In some areas where parking is at a premium or in short supply using your front garden as off street parking can be an attractive addition to the selling process of your property, but you will need to consider the cost of planning permission which may be required.  If you need a dropped kerb this will be two separate applications to the council and two separate costs.

 One could argue that while off street parking could add value it could be perceived as not environmentally friendly  as plants encourage wildlife and natural surfaces such as grass and soil encourage water to drain away quickly helping to prevent flooding.

So many choices to make that first impression of your property stunning, however consider what you do is in keeping with the exterior of your home. Ultra modern for example may not sit well with a cottage and it also needs to suit you and how you view a garden. If you hate gardening then low maintenance with maximum effect is probably the way to go. 

Down in value!

Increasingly potential home buyers have to find more capital to buy as house prices rise faster than the market valuation of a property.

And this means?

When a surveyor values a property at less than the purchase price this means that as a potential homebuyer you are faced with a cash shortfall if you want that property. .

The impact of this is that you will either have to put more money into the purchase or you could end up paying a higher mortgage rate because of the effect the devaluation has on the loan to value. 

It is possible that you could renegotiate the price or you even consider challenging the valuation. However not all lenders will deal with all appeals.  You could apply again as there can be some subjectivity and a different surveyor with a different lender may come up with a more suitable valuation. 

David Jordan Estate Agents

are on hand to welcome you as a new client or welcome you as one of our existing clients with lot of advice and tips to help you.

Call us on: T:  01323 898414

or email us using the details on our website www.davidjordan.co.uk