Do you have curb appeal?

If you have your heart set on a new home but can’t sell the existing one – or if you have simply moved into a new place and want to make the most of it – paying attention to the great outdoors will pay dividends.

In this coldest of spring, even the keenest gardeners may feel like bedding down indoors rather than applying attention to the flower-beds. But some forward planning now will enable you to reap the rewards. Bellway Manchester has some tips to help you make the most of your garden.

Whether you want to spruce up the surroundings to attract would-be buyers or simply want to enjoy the garden yourself, consider some simple, cost effective ways to make you glow with pride.

Sales manager of Bellway Manchester, Lynne Duxbury, explains: “Creating the wow-factor outdoors doesn’t have to cost a fortune yet by preparing and presenting your home so it is appealing to buyers you’ll be able to move into your new home all the sooner. And, once there, if you are moving to a new home well, everything indoors is ready for you and so all you will have to do is apply your creative imagination to the exterior features. Just remember the three Ps – planning, preparation and planting. ”

You only have one chance to make a first impression. That means the outside of your home must look inviting and meticulous. Buy some attractive containers and use these to provide a structure and interesting shapes in your garden. Pick planters and plants that echo the accent colours inside the home so that the garden feels like an extension of your interior design. If designing a new garden, plan the overall look and feel and get the basics in place – hard landscaping, trellises and hedging and the overall design.

Ensure the ground is prepared thoroughly and select suitable plants by spotting what is thriving in other nearby gardens. Then pick your favourite colour scheme.

Now comes the exciting part: you could still plant some spring plants for instant colour. Guarantee year-round colour by adding early and late summer flowering plants and shrubs and pay heed to how the garden will look in the autumn and winter. Consider including some striking architectural plants which give structure and interest but combine this with plants that will be environmentally-friendly by attracting bees, butterflies and birds to your garden. Flowering plants such as lavender and poppies, climbing plants rich in nectar, plus fruiting trees and shrubs, will all attract insects and birds. Include a water butt to ensure that you always have a ready supply of water.

Remember to include some garden lighting and comfortable furniture and as with the plants and containers, choose cushions and other accessories that complement the interior colours and textures.

Then sit back and enjoy. If you are keen to speed up that buying process, Bellway can help. The Bellway Opening Doors* and Part Exchange** schemes operate in several of their developments taking the hassle out of moving.

For further information on the latest designs and developments from Bellway Manchester, visit Bellway.co.uk.

*Opening Doors is only available on properties up to the value of £250,000. The scheme allows the cost of the mortgage to be reduced by 25% for 10 years. No interest is payable on the 25% funded by Bellway.
**Part Exchange is available on selected properties and is subject to assessment. It’s simple: you buy ours and we’ll buy yours, at the full market price.