Kerb appeal: Getting your garden ready for viewings

The moment a buyer turns up for a viewing, the assessment has already begun. They form an impression as they walk up the street, before they have rung the bell or stepped inside. Zoopla's guidance on preparing homes for viewings is direct on this point: bad first impressions can lose a buyer, and the exterior of your property is the first evidence a buyer uses to judge how well the home has been maintained. Getting the garden and front of the property right costs relatively little in time and money, and pays back significantly in the impression it creates.

The front garden and approach

The front of your property appears in the main listing photograph on Rightmove and Zoopla. A weedy path, overflowing bins, or an overgrown hedge can put a buyer off before they have seen a single room. Zoopla's advice to sellers is clear: if the front garden looks unkempt, buyers will assume the rest of the property has not been cared for either.

Keep the path swept and free of moss, leaves, and debris. In autumn, fallen leaves accumulate quickly and require regular clearing, particularly on paths and driveways where they become slippery when wet. Pressure washing a path and the front step takes an hour and produces a markedly cleaner result than sweeping alone.

Tidy any planting beds along the front boundary. Remove dead or spent plants from summer, cut back anything overgrown, and edge any lawns or borders. If the front garden is predominantly paved, keeping it weed-free and clean is the primary task.

Ensure bins are stored out of sight rather than left at the front of the property. This is one of the most consistently noted points in agent guidance on kerb appeal and one of the simplest to address.

The front door

The front door is the focal point of the entrance and receives closer attention than any other element of the exterior during a viewing. A door that looks clean and in good condition sets a positive tone. If the paint is peeling or the surface is worn, a fresh coat in a considered colour creates an immediate improvement. Check that the door number, letterbox, and any knocker or handle are clean and in working order.

Lighting

As days shorten through autumn and into winter, a well-lit entrance becomes increasingly important. Zoopla's kerb appeal guide recommends wall lights either side of the front door for evening viewings, noting that a well-lit entrance feels safe and welcoming. Solar-powered LED lights along a path or around the entrance do not require any electrical work and can add warmth and welcome without significant cost. Motion-sensitive lights that activate as a buyer approaches can also create a positive first impression.

The back garden

Zoopla's guidance is to mow the lawn and keep it in good condition. A neatly cut lawn changes the appearance of an outdoor space more than almost any other single action. Give the lawn a final cut while growth continues in autumn, and remove any weeds from borders and paved areas. Where patio furniture is present, ensure it is clean and arranged as though the space is in use.

Tidy away any stored items, equipment, or clutter that reduces the sense of space. If there is a fence or boundary in poor condition, making minor repairs communicates the same attention to upkeep that buyers take as a signal about the property.

Consistency through the marketing period

Buyers may drive past the property more than once and return for a second viewing. Maintaining the standard of presentation established at the photography stage, rather than preparing once and allowing it to lapse, gives every viewing the same strong start.

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