Everyone knows that the right colour palette, great kerb appeal, and strategic lighting choices can all improve your chance of a house sale, not to mention boost its value.
But if you have damp in and around your property, no amount of home improvement can offset the inevitable aesthetic and structural issues of excess moisture.
According to George Edwards, who runs property care firm Timberwise, damp problems in your garden boundaries could seriously affect your home's value.
The expert warned that many homeowners don't realise moisture damage extends beyond the walls of their home.
"The value of your property can be affected if damp is found in fences and walls within gardens, drives, or yards attached to (or near to) a property," Mr Edwards told Britons.
While garden walls and fences are built to handle weather, the expert warned they "will not be immune to the effects of moisture forever".
Even tiny cracks can let moisture seep in, he cautioned, leading to everything from unsightly damage to serious structural issues and safety concerns.
The property guru identified three main trouble spots to be aware of if you want to secure a good price once your house is on the market.
Mr Edwards explained that brick garden walls suffer from moisture creeping up from the ground through capillary action, often caused by inadequate drainage or developing cracks.
Meanwhile, concrete fencing poses another risk. These structures usually have concrete bases supporting wooden panels, and moisture can travel upward through the concrete into the wood above.
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Don't overlook the fences and walls within gardens, drives, or yards attached to (or near) a property
| GETTYWooden fence panels also face their own challenges. When moisture gets trapped between panels, it creates wet rot that eventually leads to mould growth, cracking, and splitting of the wood.
The telltale signs homeowners should be aware of include fuzzy mould growth and green or black algae, particularly in shaded spots on walls and fences.
Offering crucial advice to homeowners, Mr Edwards noted that boundaries can be protected by carrying out regular checks and maintenance.
Next, he advised installing a damp-proof membrane beneath a garden wall or fence before construction.
Poor drainage often causes damp problems, so improving it can prevent future headaches
|GETTY
For existing structures, homeowners can inject a damp-proof course into walls or concrete fencing to block rising moisture.
If damp, mould, or rot is spotted, it should always be tackled immediately with proper waterproofing treatments.
Finally, it's important to check the drainage around your property. Poor drainage often causes damp problems, so improving it can prevent future headaches – and invoices.
The expert warned that what might seem like minor moisture issues can quickly escalate into expensive repairs that put off potential buyers. Taking action early can make all the difference.
Whether it's installing proper damp-proofing during construction or treating existing problems promptly, protecting your garden boundaries helps maintain your home's value. After all, buyers notice everything – including the state of your fences and walls.
Indeed, according to research by DIY specialists Ronseal, an inadequate garden fence could put off almost 50 per cent of potential buyers.
Sussex Damp Experts confirmed that ignoring damp in your gardens is far from clever. Describing moisture as "the enemy of structure, value, and peace of mind", the gurus stated: "Moisture doesn't file a warning – it leaves a bill."
Mr Edwards reiterated that his key checks and tasks remain the property owner's responsibility.
He concluded: "These boundaries still belong to the property owner, and they are responsible for the state they are kept in.
"They must also ensure they are not interfering with, or causing nuisance to, their neighbours."