Selling your pad in the winter months can present its own unique challenges to have your pad looking its very best. Short, dark days and the great British weather don’t always showcase houses in their best light – it’s tough to look good amid showers, wind and snow after all! However selling your home in winter can actually work in your favour – particularly when it comes to your garden.

There’s no denying that first impressions count. And gardens are at the forefront of that. A garden is often seen as one of the most important parts of a home, and as a result, can make or break a sale. So how can you make it look just as beautiful on the cold, grey, wet days we have all come to know (and sometimes love) as it does in full bloom in the middle of summer?

Dig out your outdoor brush and rake

We know that most flowers and plants will die off, or at least turn wonderful shades of brown, once the weather turns and autumn and winter chills set in. Although many of us love walking through crisp leaves and collecting conkers when autumn hits, loose, wet leaves aren’t the greatest look for our gardens. To keep your garden looking as clean and tidy as it can, make sure you dig out your garden tools and get to work on picking up leaves on the grass and path as soon as they fall. These can turn from wonderfully crisp to wet, slippery mush in a matter of days. Don’t just do this when you have viewings booked in; if you have a For Sale board up, your house is always being advertised to prospective buyers.

Think ‘evergreen’

Evergreen shrubs are perfect for gardens which may soon be swapping hands as they take very little maintenance and always look full, fresh, and most of all, alive. That doesn’t mean you need to fill your garden with evergreens however, simply dot them around to lift plants and trees and really make your garden ‘pop’. Daphne plants are ideal as they flower in winter and spring, but also give off a stunning fragrance which will greet your viewers if placed near the front door. Lavender is another popular choice as they appear silvery in the winter months, contrasting with bare stalks and brown leaves.

Remove dead plants

Dead plants are one of the most off-putting sights in a garden, and when mixed with bare shrubs, can create an altogether unsightly appearance. But the good news is, even if you’re not naturally green-fingered, you can still make your garden look more appealing with very little effort by simply removing dead plants and shrubs. Depending on the size of your garden, this shouldn’t take more than an hour or two, but can really make a huge difference. And after all that, if you think it’s been left looking a little bare, you can always pop in an evergreen to fill the space! A few garden lights, nice tubs or even a sculpture or two can also add interest and fill in spaces where plants have died away.

Invest in professional photography

Although you may get interest from passers-by, the first impression a potential buyer will get of your house is from the images they see online. And as the internet has become the primary method for searching for a house, great photography is even more important. Investing in quality photography is key to grabbing buyers’ attention and getting them through your door. I Am The Agent offer complimentary professional images with the IATA Essential package which really showcase your home in all its glory – including the outside spaces. So what are you waiting for? Dig out those gardening gloves, get to work and get in touch!