A well-manicured lawn might be your pride and joy and it will definitely show off your garden to its best potential in Spring, but put yourself in a potential buyer’s shoes.

All they’re going to see is hard work - mowing, trimming, watering, fertilising - to keep it looking that way.

People who have busy lives don’t want to invest their time in gardening unless it’s a particular hobby or passion. They want a versatile, good looking garden where they can entertain and which stays that way all year round with little effort on their part.

A low maintenance garden, therefore, will be high on the list of viewers and this is one area that you should definitely focus on to attract buyers when selling your house.

As we’ll show you, it’s not that difficult to create a low maintenance garden, and if you’re on a tight pre-inspection schedule, you might be surprised how quickly you can transform your garden from a high maintenance nightmare, to a fuss-free outdoor space.

Less grass, more features

Problem: A substantial amount of grass will instantly be a red flag for buyers because a lawn is a high maintenance feature. It means they’ll either have to invest time in mowing it or invest money in a lawn mowing company. Then there’s fertilising, watering and pest control etc. ...too much hard work!

Solution: We suggest you get rid of the lawn and create low maintenance landscaping instead featuring mulched garden beds interspersed with gravelled or flagstone pathways. Mulching means no mowing and less watering/weeding, and buyers will breathe a sigh of relief. An alternative to mulch is using crushed stones but be sure this complements the exterior of your house.

Swap out annuals, add perennials

Problem: Swapping out the lawn for garden beds works only if you select the plants in them wisely. Fussy ornamental or exotic plants require too much watering and annuals need to be replaced every season.

Solution: Add perennial plants which flower year after year without needing too much attention. Lavender is a good example of a perennial which keeps on giving. Bulbs, native plants & grasses, flowering herbs and shrubs also require less watering and feeding than exotic plants.

Ditch the hedge, use fencing

Problem: A well-maintained hedge around the periphery of your property looks great and creates privacy. But who wants to trim a hedge on a regular basis? No one that’s who. Your would-be buyers will be moving on to their next property viewing quick smart.

Solution: We suggest you replace the hedge with a smart looking fence. There are lots of low maintenance options that won’t break the bank such as pine timber, and you can save money on labour by painting it yourself.

Avoid fussy, create functionality

Problem: Even if your garden looks pretty it may not tick the box for being functional. Just because someone doesn’t like gardening, chances are they’ll still love being outside for entertaining and relaxing.

Solution: Create a low maintenance outdoor living space, such as a patio or deck area, where you can place a BBQ, table and chairs and/or relaxed shaded seating spots. You can be sure potential buyers will note there is less lawn to mow and more time for them to enjoy being in an easy to care for garden.

Looking for landscaping services in your area? Head to Bricks+Agent and list your job to receive quotes from local specialists. Remember, it’s a good idea to get quotes from three or four companies to compare what they offer. Once you’re ready to connect you can simply enlist the services of the company you choose.

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