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Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

Is your outdoor space your biggest asset?

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Whilst we focus on the square meters within our four walls, the space outside might actually be your property’s biggest asset.

Charlotte Vermaak, Principal of Chas Everitt Nelson Mandela Bay, explains how important the external living space is when it comes to selling your home.

“We’re lucky in that we have a lot of outdoor space available, and depending on your lifestyle there’s a suburb to suit you,” says Vermaak. “Beach, bush, bustling – we have it all. And with our temperate climate, but infamous wind home buyers are quick to look at how sheltered outside spaces are from the wind, and how they can best utilise their prospective garden.”

Bathrooms and kitchens sell houses, true. But so do gardens and views. “We have some great properties on our books which have fantastic outdoor spaces to enjoy the coming winter sunsets, enjoy time with friends around a fire, or for children to simply play and get covered in mud!” adds Vermaak.

When it comes to the financials of your outdoor space, Charlotte says “Large, established and well maintained gardens do not necessarily result in a higher selling price, they do however contribute to justifying paying a higher asking price. But an uninterrupted sea view can enhance the value of a property, in some instance it can add up to 10-30% to the value of your home.”

What are buyers looking for?

  • First impressions count – a well maintained property and attractive garden can help to appear to a buyer’s emotional need for a ‘home’ and not just a house
  • A beautiful garden will influence a higher selling price (the assumption is that a beautiful garden usually comes with a beautiful and well-maintained home which naturally attract a higher price)
  • If a garden is not in a good state, buyers instinctively draw the assumption that the rest of the house isn’t well maintained and decide it to be less valuable
  • Large gardens mean a lot of upkeep – keen gardeners will not have a problem with this whereas other buyers will see this as a negative
  • Buyers with children are looking for space to play outside whereas retired buyers may look for smaller gardens for limited maintenance
  • Small gardens that promote braai areas are very popular with buyers as most buyers are wanting outdoor entertainment space to enjoy summer outdoors at home
  • Swimming pools are not as popular as one may think.  Pools are a bonus to some buyers, but the maintenance is endless and some buyers don’t want that hassle
  • For those with a pool, it is important to keep it in a good condition to ensure that the property is appealing to buyers
  • Buyers feel that upmarket properties should come with irrigation systems, either automated or manual
  • A borehole is favourable.
  • There is a tendency towards low-key gardens with the focus areas on water features and paving – this reduces the need for maintenance
  • Buyers tend to prefer level lawn areas
If it’s space you’re after, there’s a magnificent thatch home set on 1,8ha of rolling green lawns with breathtaking views over Sardinia Bay in prestigious Westmead Drive, Chelsea.
If it’s space you’re after, there’s a magnificent thatch home set on 1,8ha of rolling green lawns with breathtaking views over Sardinia Bay in prestigious Westmead Drive, Chelsea.

Author: Kimberley Clare Ogden
Website: http://www.chaseveritt.co.za

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