Selling a property is generally one of the largest financial transactions any person will make. A bit of effort, and some good advice, can make all the difference to the price you achieve.

The atmospheric and visual boost from a beautiful, well maintained garden can be powerful.

Landscape architect Elizabeth Callaghan, of Hortus Design, believes that a few simple tricks can hugely increase a property’s appeal.

“The garden is the buyer's first view of the house. If the garden looks great it gives them a good feeling from the minute they step onto the property, so it’s going to improve the overall impression of the home," she said.

Elizabeth has the following suggestions.

* Paint your boundary fences. Painting perimeter fences a dark colour will make them seem to disappear. Your garden will look larger, and the viewer's eye will be drawn to the plants and space, rather than the fence.

* Create a sense of arrival. This can be achieved, for example, by having an attractive path leading to the property, or placing a pot at the front door with a splash of colour. The viewer's spirits will be lifted as they enter the property.

* Tidy up any forgotten corners. Unkempt patches can ruin the overall effect of the garden.

* Lay fresh mulch. As well as hiding weeds, mulch creates a uniformity of texture and colour that is pleasing to the eye.

* And last but not least, remove any dead plants.

“That’s not spending a lot of money, but it gives you a better feeling about the property,” said Elizabeth.

So grab your paintbrushes, and pull on your gardening gloves. A bit of work in the garden can help you achieve the best price.

Read more:

How to transform unused spaces in your garden  

Vertical gardens on the rise