Homebuyers prepared to pay an extra £11,500 for a property with a garden
BRITAIN’S green-fingered homebuyers are prepared to pay an extra £11,500 for a property with a garden and up to £150,000 in London, a survey has found.
More than half of horticulturally-minded househunters would not consider buying or renting a property which did not have an outside space to enjoy.
In fact, access to a garden or patio is the third most popular item on the typical wishlist, according to a poll of 2,000 people.
Of those asked, 72 per cent would take out a larger mortgage to buy a home with a garden.
The average premium is almost £12,000 but in the capital the amount differs depending on the location and the size of the plot, from around £150,000 in prime central areas to £30,000 in outer London areas like Croydon.
However there are more similarities when it comes to the size and design of the outside space.
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The availability of a garden is the third most important consideration
The average back garden is 45ft long and 36ft wide, boasts ten types of flowers and a garden gnome.
It will be home to a set of garden furniture, BBQ, water feature, shed, greenhouse and vegetable patch.
There will also be a sun-lounger on the patio, a washing line and a birdbath.
One in three gardeners have a competitive streak and try to leave neighbours green with envy over the condition of lawns and flowerbeds.
Roses are the most popular garden flowers followed by lavender, tulips, and bluebells.
Fuchsias, geraniums, hydrangeas and clematises are also favourites because of their bright colours.
Around one in five Britons call in the professionals and hire a gardener to ensure it is kept in pristine condition.
But despite loving their herbaceous borders, people only get to enjoy them for around 12 hours a month due to hectic work schedules, busy social lives - and bad weather.
The results of the poll appear to have identified the demise of decking, with more people preferring a lush green lawn rather than a wooden surface.
Location is the main deal-breaker for potential buyers, with house size, a garden and parking also considered essential.
A garage, good access to local transport links and a reasonably priced council tax band are also must-haves.
Surprisingly another key factor was the condition of the next-door neighbours’ gardens.
The size of the bathrooms and the interior decor also made the wishlist.
A spokesperson for estate agency Foxtons said: “We are supporting the Royal Horticultural Society’s ‘Greening Grey Britain’ campaign, and wanted to find a bit more about the UK’s outdoor spaces.
“The availability of a garden is the third most important consideration for those looking for their new home, after the location and the size of the property.
“According to the results of the survey, 55 per cent of us would not consider renting or buying a property without a garden.
"Over a third of us believe that a garden is more valuable than an extra bedroom, with 46 per cent considering both equally important.”