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17 home features putting buyers off

They're all easy fixes. - by Olivia Hart
  • 26 May 2021

So you’ve put your house on the market and you're wondering what’s next? Before the stress of moving takes over, there are a few final touches you should make to your home to attract buyers.

WATCH: DIY fixes you can do around your home

If you want the property to be as sell-able as possible, start by investing time in general maintenance. A home well lived in is likely to have a few cracks, scuffs and built-up clutter. While you might be accustomed to these eyesores, they’re not as easily overlooked by prospective buyers.

Following a year spent at home and with increased attention to hygiene, it’s no surprise that a messy home could jeopardise your chances of a good offer. Luckily, the top reasons putting buyers off are all fixable issues.  

home clutter
Getty

Rated People’s recent Home Improvement Trends Report surveyed thousands and pinpointed the top features that put buyers off when purchasing a home. When it comes to what buyers are looking for, most are in the market for bigger properties with more outdoor space.

An added self-contained annex or a garden room could score you a higher offer and a quick sell, but if you don’t have time to focus on big improvements then start with the little ones. Rated People’s survey found that the most off-putting issues with a home are affordable fixes.

Scuffs, stains, damaged fixtures and an overgrown garden are all on the list and could be tended to in an afternoon. So, get out your toolbox and reliable cleaning products and get started.  

overgrown lawn
Getty

The top 17 home features putting buyers off

  • Signs of damp/mould
  • Cracks in walls
  • Mess and clutter inside
  • Scuffed paintwork and marked walls
  • No double glazing
  • Peeling wallpaper
  • Dirty bathroom
  • Overgrown garden
  • Outdated decor
  • Dirty kitchen
  • Bad smells inside
  • Rubbish or debris in the front garden/ in front of the house
  • Broken or missing fence panels in the garden/outside space
  • Dirty/stained furnishings (carpet, curtains and sofas)
  • A dirty interior that hasn’t been cleaned
  • Broken/damaged windows
  • Broken/damaged fixtures like kitchen cupboard doors
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Better Life
  • Cleaning
Olivia Hart

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