Page 12 - Outdoor Living October 2023

LIFESTYLE

GARDENS AND BRAAIS:

The Unsung Heroes in Selling Houses

h, Spring! It’s back and homes boasting expansive gardens aren’t just desired but sought fervently. This shift
beckoning South Africans towards outdoor enjoyment has even echoed the escalating preference for estates
Aout of hibernation to revel in offering open spaces, blending security with fresh air.
the sunny embrace of their gardens,
with the enticing aroma of a braai First Impressions Matter, Darling!
wafting through the air. Indeed, our Imagine entering a property and being greeted by a garden that screams ‘love and
penchant for sunshine and braais isn’t care’ with every well-pruned branch. It’s a seductive proposition, isn’t it? A neat,
just a cultural stereotype but a genuine welcoming garden isn’t just eye candy; it’s a silent salesman, clinching deals without
selling point in the real estate market. uttering a word.

Now, while a house’s dazzling features After all, who has the time and energy to tame an unruly garden upon moving in? The
and finishes can certainly woo sight of a manicured garden can often tip the scales in favour of a property when
potential buyers, let’s not ignore the buyers are torn between two similar options.
magnetic allure of a garden that
promises serenity and a braai area Now, we aren’t preaching a garden that rivals the botanical gardens in landscaping
that hints at memorable gatherings prowess. A touch of green, complemented by user-friendly garden centres lending a
under the African sky. These outdoor hand to gardening greenhorns, can often do the trick.
havens not only up the desirability
quotient but add a neat little bump to The Braai Patio: A South African Staple
the property value. Across the oceans, a UK study confirmed the appeal of a spruced-up patio in the
home-buying decision. At home, the braai patio enjoys a revered status, emerging as
The recent pandemic nudged many a focal point in houses and new apartment developments. Yes, even the urban spaces
of us to revisit the comforting bosom succumb to the charms of a communal braai facility, adding a delightful touch to
of nature, giving rise to a trend where patio designs.

OUTDOOR Living | 10