EVERYONE wants to make the best impression when they’re showing off their home to potential buyers.
But many sellers may not even realise that seemingly insignificant issues could wipe as much as much as £50,000 off the house price.
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For example, flaky paint and an overgrown garden could reduce the amount people are willing to offer.
That’s according to Luke Saywell, a partner at Nottinghamshire estate
agents Gascoines.
He said: “While buyers have different opinions on the perceived value of a home, there are common issues that can slash potential offers.
“It pays to be aware of the key problems that are stopping properties from achieving their maximum price potential.”
But luckily many issues require simple and cheap fixes.
Here are the top 10 problems and how much they could take off property prices, plus how to fix them.
Poor kerb appeal – £10,000
One of the biggest turn-offs for potential buyers is a lack of kerb appeal – how attractive a house is from the outside.
Luke said: “People often decide within seconds if they are interested in seeing more based on the outside of the property.
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“It can also devalue a home if big jobs such as rendering or if new doors and windows are required, and buyers can try to knock it off the total price.
“A well-presented property can appear a more secure purchase if it is well-kept, which could be a particular concern for families.”
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Smartening up the front of your home doesn’t need to cost a fortune.
It’s amazing the difference a good clear-up can make and costs nothing but a bit of elbow grease.
Collect litter that’s blown in, along with piles of leaves and any weeds that are creeping through the soil or paving.
If you have grass in your front garden, cutting it will instantly lift the look of your house.
Regular mowing and trimming will keep it smarter.
Artificial lawn – £1,000
Artificial lawns can really divide opinions among buyers.
Some people see them as a low-maintenance option while others prefer a traditional lawn that invites nature into the garden.
Luke said: “On balance, we wouldn’t recommend that anyone considering selling their property invests in an artificial lawn to attract buyers.
“Instead, money would be better spent on other improvements to
encourage a sale.
“However, if a seller already has an artificial lawn, it can be considered a bonus among certain buyer groups, such as families, as they often find it more practical with children.”
Overgrown garden – £5,000
If you do keep your lawn natural, severely overgrown grass could have a worse effect than an artificial garden, according to Luke.
He added: “An unkempt garden gives an impression of neglect, which buyers often think is reflected on the interior too.
“A manageable garden can save buyers money in the long run,
and ensure your property gains its maximum market value.”
Bad odours – £3,000
The old trick of baking bread when people come round to view your house to give a homely impression is a cliche – but it turns out there’s some truth in it.
Buyers are put off by smelly houses, and it implies the place isn’t very clean.
Luke said: “Buyers are instantly filled with the smells of a home as soon as they step foot into a property and these can linger on their mind throughout a viewing.
“A thorough clean and airing can do the trick to avoid this being an issue that could decrease value.”
Poor lighting – £2,000
Poor lighting can be detrimental to your home, even if it’s otherwise a lovely property, Luke said.
“A poorly lit property can give the perception of a space feeling small or cramped,” he added.
“This can devalue a home if buyers feel they need to spend money remodelling the layout to get the desired bright and open look.
While it’s not possible to change the position of a home to get more sunlight, there are easy and cost-effective ways to make it seem brighter.
Luke advises swapping out dark and heavy curtains for lighter colours and materials to open up a room.
You can pick up a pair of sheer voile curtains for between £4 and £12, depending on the size you need, at Dunelm.
He added: “Strategically positioning mirrors to reflect the light back into the room is a great technique.
“Maintaining large trees from the garden that don’t serve a purpose for privacy can also transform the light inside.
“But it’s important to determine whether removing a tree would
detract from the outside appeal.”
High maintenance features – up to £10,000
Every home is unique and it’s great to add features to a house that you enjoy as an owner.
But Luke said when it comes to selling a property, buyers have to be able to see themselves living in it.
He added: “One way that sellers can devalue their home is by having high maintenance features that can really turn a buyer off.
“This could include ponds, swimming pools, agas, thatched roofs or other period features.
“If people believe a certain feature will require long-term maintenance and it’s not something particularly desirable to them, they may want to reduce the price as maintenance often
means money.”
But Luke said it can be a balancing act, as some buyers are specifically looking for unique properties with plenty of character to bring back to life.
He said: “Every home will have the right buyer but it’s
important that it’s marketed to the right audience.”
Bold decoration – £3,000
Similarly, decorating in a bold style can be a negative for some buyers.
Luke said: “Fussy wallpapers, bright colours, and quirky interior choices are fantastic for making a house feel like home.
“But when it comes to putting the property on the market, people can find they’ll need to redecorate every room to their liking, leading them to offer a lower price.”
When considering selling, Luke said there’s no harm in sellers dialling back the personal touches and painting some rooms a neutral colour for a blank canvas.
You could choose to redecorate a particular room or single wall if you think it might put people off.
You don’t need to fork out loads of money for wallpaper and if you shop around you could find a real bargain.
For example, Dunelm is selling rolls for as little as £10 but you could get it for even less in a clearance sale.
Shoppers at B&M have previously spotted rolls going for just 50p.
Flaky paint – £1,000
Poor finishes of paint can make a home show its years and put off people looking for a fresh move.
Luke said: “If it’s peeling off then buyers will feel that they need to immediately repaint once they move in, and therefore parting with a larger initial investment in the home.
“A fresh lick of paint on your door can however transform the front of your home and slightly increase the value of your property for a low outlay.
“Fortunately, this can be a quick fix. From £10 per
tin of paint, a blank canvas can restore any reduced valuation.”
Luke said subtle colours are often better than bright reds or green as they are easier to paint over.
Uncleanliness – up to £5,000
Time to get the marigolds out – buyers think a dirty home is a real turn-off when viewing a property they might purchase.
But fortunately, Luke said they are one of the most straightforward fixes for sellers.
He said: “While a space needs to feel lived in and homely, having to navigate through people’s belongings can make for an unpleasant viewing and it being difficult to picture what spaces buyers have to work with.
“It can also give the impression that the sellers may be disorganised and therefore difficult to work with in securing the sale.”
Giving everything a good scrub before people come around will give a better impression of the state of your home.
Shared driveways – up to £10,000
“A shared drive can create indecision for buyers who may not be familiar with using one”, Luke said.
“They might not know what is required on their part in terms of maintenance.
“A poor condition shared drive could be extra off-putting if the responsibilities to maintain it aren’t clear and you don’t have strong relationships with the neighbours.
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“This could lead to a more reluctant bid being placed.”
Meanwhile, we reveal what will happen to house prices in 2024.
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