The biggest property turn offs for buyers
First impressions matter. And when it comes to selling your property, you never get a second chance at a first impression.
Buying a home is a major investment and as a result, buyers have the right to be slightly picky when choosing their next purchase. In this blog we look at some of the top 'turn-offs' for buyers to help you make sure your property's first impression is a good one.
Damp stains on walls and ceilings
According to a survey by Go Compare Home Insurance, the number 1 turn-off for prospective buyers is the appearance of damp or mould on the walls and ceilings.
In the survey, a whopping 69% of prospective buyers who were interviewed voted this as the number 1 turn off. This is because it's a physical warning sign that the property is suffering from a potentially serious problem that will need immediate attention.
Addressing this issue before putting your property on the market will definitely help when it comes to first impressions and improve your chances of your property being snapped up!
Smells and odours
Next on our turn off list is the presence of bad smells and odours in a property. 63% of people surveyed said bad smells would deter them from purchasing a property, so it's vital to consider this before putting your property on the market.
Whether it's cigarettes, damp (see number 1), pet odour or cooking smells, if a bad smell is the first thing that a prospective buyer notices when entering a property it can often be an impossible task to get them to see past it.
As minor as the odour of a pet, smoke or even mould may be to you, buyers have been put off countless times by the smell of a property. Before viewings take place, try and aerate all rooms, perhaps take the time to clean the fabrics in your home and apply fresh bedding.
Poor state of repairs
Next on our list of property turn offs is a home that looks like it has been neglected. With busy lives and precious free time available, a lot of property buyers are looking for that 'move-in ready' property that requires little to no work, or at most, simple redecoration to suit their tastes.
Things such as rotten window frames, leaking gutters or missing roof tiles do a stellar job of ruining that all important first impression.
Bad D.I.Y
With people spending more time at home this year, many have been spending that time making improvements to their home. And whilst it may have been a great time to perhaps tackle some of the things we mention in this list, 38% of people surveyed by Go Compare Home Insurance said poor D.I.Y 'handywork' would deter them from buying a property.
So whilst it's definitely important to tackle some of those much needed improvements, consider sticking to the simple fixes and using trades people for those bigger jobs!
Clutter
Trying to see past the clutter when viewing a property is extremely difficult for some buyers. Not only is it distracting, but it can also lead them to think your property does not have adequate storage.
De-cluttering is a great way to help buyers imagine themselves in your home. But don't think you have to banish your belongings all together. Putting some of your possessions into a storage container is a cost-effective solution and allows you to present your property in its best light.
No Garden
After 4 months of lockdown and being stuck at home, we wouldn't be surprised to see this bugbear be number 1 on many people's list going forward.
We appreciate that for some of you, resolving this deterrent without any outside space is an impossible ask.
However, if you do have outdoor space, there is no excuse for letting a lack of a presentable garden ruin your property's first impression and you are doing your chances of selling your property a disservice.
Clearing away overgrown plants and bushes, mowing your lawn or deweeding and cleaning your patio can all help to make a good first impression when selling your property.