Landscaping and Garden Makeover Tips For Selling Your Property

October 27, 2021

How to increase the value of your property with low cost landscaping

When it comes to selling your house you’re always balancing your budget! Chances are you want to make some improvements to get the best sale price for your home, without losing sight of the return on your investment.

The biggest challenge for home owners when doing a pre sale garden makeover is knowing where to spend those precious dollars:

Do you focus on the front yard?
What about those ugly corners?
What plants give you the best bang for your buck?
And how can you uplevel your garden from ordinary to extraordinary?

Often landscaping is the last thing you think about, but it can be the greatest return on investment. You can make a big impact with a relatively small budget, and create a wow factor that really improves first impressions with these 4 simple tips.

4 Landscaping Tips to Make Over your Garden

Tip #1 – Landscape to attract the right buyer

Where does your property sit in the market? Positioning your landscaping for different markets means fine tuning your efforts to suit the buyer’s needs. First decide which market your property falls into, is it a…

Budget Friendly Home?

A Classic Family Home?

A Luxury Forever Home?

Budget Friendly Homes

When deciding if your home appeals to a budget friendly market consider the priorities your buyers have and landscape to appeal to those needs. Factors such as low cost finishes, simple designs and affordable ongoing maintenance will be important to your market.

Classic Family Homes

If you are designing your garden makeover to appeal to families, then your landscape design needs to be focused around 2 main ideas:

Space and safety for kids to have fun and play
Simplicity and low maintenance to appeal to busy working parents

If these 2 ideas are kept in mind throughout the planning phase of the makeover then you will be sure to create an attractive landscape for you prospective buyers.

Luxury Homes

High end luxury homes will need to have a beautiful landscape to compliment the look and the features of the home. That all important front entrance will be inviting and showstopping, whilst the backyard will be an area to celebrate and socialise in style. To ensure a premium finish, a luxury home will need to include high end design, creative planting and multi-function landscape design.

Want more tips on landscaping to attract the right buyer/ Then read our blog on Landscaping For Your Market Price .

Tip #2 – Create an Stunning First Impression

The front yard and walkway to your home should build anticipation for what’s to come. There are many factors that go into creating a spectacular first impression, but here’s the winning line-up…

Lush Lawns– Your lawn is a winning feature when it comes to first impressions, so start mowing regularly to promote health and give weeds less chance to take over. Reseed any patchy areas and begin weed control spray early.
Perfect Paths– Use paths to add structure and flow to your garden. Ensure the front pathway has been pressure sprayed to leave a clean finish.
Beautiful beds – Replace any dead plants, neatly prune healthy plants and mulch garden beds to give a fresh finish.
Pretty Pots – Use pots strategically to uplift your front yard by adding colour, design and symmetry.
Clean Lines – when it comes to edging the key is to be consistent and choose one type of edging throughout the garden. Avoid having one section in timber, another in steel and another in brick.

Feeling inspired to make a fantastic first impression? Then read our blog on

Garden Makeovers to Create The Best Landscaping First Impressions.

Tip #3 – Forgotten corners

When it comes to a garden makeover there are 5 forgotten corners that sellers often forget:

Side of house walkways – Clean up this area using decorative toppings or gravel.

Tired old fences – Applying some fresh paint can often achieve a brand new look. Creepers Creepers can be a good planting choice to cover a shabby old fence. Install a metal rope trellis and let your plants do the painting 😉

Messy Back Corner – Utilise this space and construct a garden shed. Whether your looking for functionality or a bit of design flare, there are many different options available to suit your needs.

Unsightly Exposed Services – Construct screening to hide your services or use plantings. Creepers can do the job if they are close to a wall or a few well place shrubs able to grow into the size required to screen your services.

Bland and Sparse Courtyards – Use pots to add interest and creativity to your garden. Think carefully about the size of your pots and place them in corners or clumped together in a well balanced series of 3 different sized pots.

Let’s make sure you don’t forget any corners that will become a nasty surprise on home open weekend, take a look at our 5 Landscaping Secrets To Rejuvenate The Forgotten Corners In Your Garden.

Tip #4 Add the Finishing Touches

As a homeowner it’s easy to miss little things that make a big impact on first impressions. These one percenters’ are the wins that can be the difference between ít’s nice but…’ to ‘I’m making an offer!’

Tick all of the boxes in every area with small finishing touches that are easy to implement but so easily forgotten by other sellers.

Lighting – Garden lighting can create elegant night photos for the sales and marketing campaign
Annual Flowers – Don’t be shy here, buy several trays and add some splashes of vibrant colour to your garden
Outdoor Furniture – Make your property into an inviting space, ready to be enjoyed with family and friends, don’t be afraid to go all in and style the table for entertaining
Clotheslines – Think functionality and install these against a wall in a convenient area, ideally out of sight.
Bins – When it comes to your bins, rule number one is to hide them! It’s also crucial to think about functionality and place them somewhere that has a simple route towards the street.

If you want more tips to finish off your garden makeover, Then read our blog on Landscapers winning touches for a pre sale garden makeover.

We provide a full landscaping service, quoted according to your needs and budget. If you want some help, then get in touch here or give us a call on 9013 6588.

Landscapers Winning Touches For A Pre Sale Garden Makeover

October 19, 2021

What are the garden makeover one percenters that really move the needle when selling your property?

Imagine this…you’ve spent hours landscaping your garden ready for the first open home weekend. Everything’s ready, the garden beds are weeded, the lawn is green and the pots are full of colour, but…as prospective buyers walk up the drive, the first thing they see are your bins. Urgh!

Completing a well thought out and spectacular garden makeover is not about doing 1 or 2 things really well. It is about ticking all of the boxes in every area with small finishing touches that don’t cost the earth. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel, you just need a well rounded landscape where nothing has been left out or forgotten.

Here are the top 9 finishing touches that are easy to implement but so often forgotten by the rest.

Lighting

Lighting is a wonderful tool to provide more opportunities for time spent in the garden. By installing some simple garden lights this now entices a prospective buyer keen to entertain and socialise in the warmer months of the year. Garden lighting can help create some magical evening photographs for your sales and marketing campaign, and they are very easy to DIY using simple solar powered lights.

Source: https://modularwalls.com.au/blog/backyard-lighting-ideas/

Top Tip – Avoid lighting the garden up like a football pitch, your goal is to highlight certain features and add mood lighting.

Annual Flowers

Add colour and brighten your garden with beautiful blooming annuals. These are a great way to fill the garden beds and create a lush planting design. This is a very effective and low cost way to enhance the overall look and feel of your garden. At around $2-3 per plant it’s always worth your while!

Top Tip – Pick a colour scheme and match your flowers broadly within this, if you’re struggling for ideas, take a look at this colour palette inspiration – https://www.canva.com/colors/color-palette-generator/

Outdoor Furniture

What’s the use of having a well paved courtyard if there is no furniture there to sit and enjoy with friends. It may seem like an obvious one but ensure you have the right amount of outdoor furniture in the right positions. The idea here is to create a more inviting feel to the landscape, a place where you can appreciate and take pleasure in. If you’re short of time or furniture, hire a staging team and they will design and rent out the perfect outdoor furniture for your property.

Top Tip – Style outdoor furniture with cushions that add a splash of colour (match this to your colour palette for bonus points)!

Clotheslines

Although a purely functional aspect of the outdoor area, clotheslines are still something important to consider. The typical median home buyer is a family with 2 kids. They will want to know there is somewhere they can hang up the clothes to dry. An important thing to consider here is to ensure it will not take up too much space. Generally it’s best to get a retractable clothesline that can be bolted onto the wall and easily folds down when it’s not in use.

Top Tip – Clear your clothesline from clutter during a home open, remove clothing, pegs and paraphernalia that draws attention to this functional item and distracts from your property.

Bins

We have 2 objectives when it comes to bins. Firstly we need to have a practical spot for the bins where it is easily accessible to move them out onto the street. Secondly we need to hide them out of sight! Use plants or construct timber screening to cover the bins from main areas.

Top Tip – Avoid fish waste in the bins in the days preceding a home open as this smell is hard to mask even with the most fragrant flowers!

Garden Art

A fabulous way to add interest and uniqueness to your landscape design. This can be a wall art used to ‘glam up’ a simple fence or feature statues placed strategically throughout the garden beds. There are many different options when it comes to art, be creative and enjoy adding some flare to your garden.

Source: https://www.homedit.com/outdoor-wall-decor-ideas-to-beautify-your-home/

Top Tip – Avoid overdoing it when it comes to garden art. These pieces are best used sparingly to increase dramatic effect and add the wow factor.

Letterbox

An essential item, we all need a letterbox yet there are plenty of styles available to choose from. Be sure to match your letterbox with the overall theme and layout of your garden.

Top Tip – Simple, elegant and understated is the name of the game when it comes out of letter boxes.

House numbering

Try some interesting and classy numbering. Home improvement stores have a wide array of house numbers all in different styles and finishes. You can even spell out the number if you wish. Be sure to install the numbers on your front fence or somewhere else clearly visible from the street.

Top Tip – Avoid overly fancy fonts when it comes to numbering your house, keep it easy to read, clear and highly viable so potential buyers can locate your house.

Organised Storage Area

A garden takes a lot of work to maintain, and in doing this you will need the required tools to perform your weekly gardening tasks. In having a designated area to store garden tools this allows for an organised space. Whether it be a small garden shed or just a garage with adequate space this will be another very useful win on our mission to tick all the landscaping boxes!

Top Tip – Using colour co-ordinated or decorative boxes within a storage area helps to hide a multitude of sins when it comes to the bits and bobs you want to hold on to.

Now your garden is not only landscaped, you’ve changed the overall look and feel with some amazing finishing touches that will add that extra wow factor.

But…

If your open home is fast approaching and you’re short of time, then we’re here to help. Whether you need a garden tidy-up, or a makeover to fix up those 1% wins, get in touch here or give us a call on 9013 6588.

5 Landscaping Secrets To Makeover The Forgotten Garden Corners

October 15, 2021

Do you have a forgotten garden corner? Or messy areas down the side of your house? Maybe you’re at a loss with the wasted space behind the shed?

If any of this sounds familiar, then you need some inspiration to rejuvenate these forgotten corners in your yard.

When we’re providing regular garden care for our clients, we often advise on how to improve neglected and ignored areas. These can be the unseen side of your house, behind the shed, a weedy corner or a worn out fence. They’re often the places that secretly annoy you, but they’re in the too-hard basket to tackle.

Well today that’s all going to change as I share my low cost secrets to rejuvenate those forgotten corners in your garden.

Secret #1: Side of house walkways

Are you unsure how to design the pathways around the side of your house?

The side of your property is usually a functional and practical space as it may not be used as much as the front or back yards. For this reason it can be forgotten and left to be a haven for weeds and unruly mess. A great option to tidy up the side of the house is to add decorative toppings such as tuscan toppings and dromana gravels. Be sure to add a decent layer of crushed rock as a sub base to provide a solid foundation and durability, then at least 50mm of toppings. This will provide a clean finish and make it much more difficult for those weeds to find a home.

Secret #2: Tired old fences

Are your fences looking like they’ve seen better days?

Timber fences can look a bit shabby as time goes on with weathering and sun damage. A quick paint job may do the trick, as you can achieve a fresh and bright look immediately. However, if you want to add some greenery to a drab side walkway, utilise your fence for climbing plants such as star jasmine and mandevilla. It’s a simple job to set up some metal rope trellis lines and your plants will do the rest, providing a beautiful and natural green wall.

Secret 3: Messy Back Corner

Maybe it’s turned into a junkyard? Or even just a few tired and old plants that are not adding to the wonder and glory of your garden?

A messy back corner may have old pots, other random storage items or even just struggling trees and shrubs. This can be an opportunity to clean out the space and construct a garden shed. Having a garden shed will create space for organised storage. Be sure to establish an appropriate foundation to meet the requirements of the size and structure of the shed. To increase the shed’s aesthetic appeal, you can add flare to the design or use paint to bring the right colour to compliment its surroundings.

Secret 4: Unsightly Exposed Services

Do you have hot water, gas and other services that are an eyesore to the rest of your beautiful garden?

These services are a blessing and provide comfort and ease which we can often take for granted. Power, heat, cooling, water and more are thankfully directed into our homes 24/7, yet they certainly are not adding to the glamour of the outdoor space! A useful and effective method to conceal the services is to install screening. A timber lattice installed against 2 fence posts or ready made bamboo fencing are two popular options. Creepers can be planted at the base to add more greenery or a well placed shrub or two can increase aesthetic appeal.

Secret 5: Bland and Sparse Courtyards

Do you feel a sense of dread or that something is lacking?

A broad and well paved area is fantastic and creates a low maintenance functional area, ideal for outdoor seating and tables. Yet it’s important to maintain a balance in your garden and bring the right amount of greenery to create a joyful and peaceful feeling. A great way to spice up heavily paved areas is to add pots. Place in the corners by themselves or in a well balanced series of 3 different sized pots, a wonderful solution to fill a vacant paved space.

When we look after your garden, whether that’s with restoration, makeover or maintenance, we’ll always tackle those forgotten corners, so you can enjoy every aspect of your outdoor space (without any annoying niggles).

Take a look at our garden makeover services all tailored to your needs and budget. And don’t forget if you want some help, get in touch here or give us a call on 9013 6588.

Garden Makeover to Create The Best Landscaping First Impression

September 21, 2021

We all know that all important first impressions can be the make or break for so many situations. Whether it be a job interview, first date or a prospective buyer walking up to the front entrance of your property. Any small mistake can have big consequences when it comes to the wow factor of your front yard, from dirty pathways and unhealthy plants to poor colour blends, patchy grass and messy garden beds. These common issues can immediately lower the value of your property in the mind of the prospective buyer.

On the other hand, with expert help and well thought out design you can stand out from the crowd with a showstopping first impression!

The front outdoor entrance should build anticipation for what’s to come. There are many factors that go into creating a spectacular first impression and we are here to tell you all the do’s and the don’ts

Cleanup

Our priority is to build excitement, anticipation and create a welcoming entrance. There are many simple tasks that should be checked over before you think about adding new features. Here are 4 areas to focus on first:

Lawns

Lawn rejuvenation works! Lawn often takes up a large amount of space in the garden so it must be kept to the highest standard. Regular mowing of the lawn will promote health and give weeds less chance to take over. Reseed patchy areas and begin weed control spray if necessary. Also remember to fertilise in the growing seasons.

Pathways

Use paths to add structure and flow to your garden. Ensure the front pathway has been pressure sprayed to leave a clean finish. If you don’t have the equipment you need it’s cost effective to hire or call us for a garden and paver clean-up.

Garden Beds

Replace any dead plants, neatly prune plants (ensure not to go to hard so they look bare!), trim shrubs and hedges, and mulch all garden beds (for more info on mulching, read the Landscapers Guide To Mulching).

Removal and Disposal

You don’t want first impressions to suggest the garden looks neglected, so dispose of any tired and old features. This may include old pots, letterboxes, lights, struggling plants.

Garden Features

Water features

To create a great front yard first impression, you don’t have to break the budget. Many impressive and wonderful designs can be done without spending too much. A simple way to achieve this is by incorporating outdoor features. A simple water fountain placed in the right position can add interest and a lot of class.

Pots

When attempting to maximise and uplift your front yard landscape the use of pots can be of great effect. Pots are a fantastic option to fill a dead space or to create symmetry and a grand effect for your front entrance. They come in all shapes and sizes and often it is wise to get them painted in order to match your property’s colour theme.

Rocks

Another way to add interest is through the use of rocks. This could be a well placed rock garden in a corner with beautiful ground cover plants draping across the front surrounding a lovely feature tree. Or rocks and pebbles can be used as a border to pathways or garden edges to add another component to the design.

Source: https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/gardens/garden-styles-and-types/18-gorgeous-rock-gardens-pictures

Simplification

Plant Choices

Often it can be best to not overcomplicate things when it comes to planting. Simple well spaced out plantings can create a feeling of peace and clarity in the minds of prospective buyers (try taking a leaf out of the Zen garden designs).

Colours

One of the most important aspects to your landscape design is to remember to choose colors that collaborate effectively with the colours of your home.

The best way to do this is by choosing colours on the opposite spectrum of the color wheel. Red is across from green, yellow is across from purple and orange is across from blue.

Another colour choice is to use colours that are next to each other on the colour wheel. A garden full of pinks and purples looks good against the backdrop of a blue home.

https://www.bhg.com/gardening/design/color/using-the-color-wheel-in-gardening/

Clean Lines and Garden Edging

When choosing the appropriate garden edging there are 2 things to keep in mind.

Firstly it is generally best to be consistent and choose one type of edging throughout the garden. It does not look good to have 1 section in timber, another in steel and another in brick. Keep it simple! Choose one.

Generally it is best to keep the garden edging inconspicuous. It does not have to be the star of the show, its purpose is to create a barrier and clearly define sections of the garden. Given that we are looking to boost our profits whilst keeping the costs down it’s often best to choose a thin timber edge. The timber can be painted to align with the colour theme.

We provide a garden makeover service, quoted according to your needs and budget. If you want some help, then get in touch here or give us a call on 9013 6588.

How to Landscape Your Garden to Attract the Right Buyers

September 10, 2021

Landscaping is a fantastic way to add value to your property, however it is crucial to know your market prior to developing landscape designs, so you can tailor your garden makeover to fit your market.

Are you looking to gain the greatest possible return on investment when selling your home? There are so many options when it comes to landscape design prior to selling it can be hard to know where to start. You’re faced with questions like…

Who is your target market?
What are the best materials to use to create a wow factor that attracts your demographic?
What are the key landscaping features that will excite your prospective buyers?
How can you decide where to spend your money?

A garden makeover doesn’t have to be difficult (or expensive). With some simple tips, you can say goodbye to wasted renovation money and achieve the wow factor your buyers are looking for. First decide which market your property falls into, is it a…

Budget Friendly Home
A Classic Family Home
A Luxury Forever Home