"Selling a home can be a minefield due to buyer preferences, and the chances are your home will boast one, if not more, features that could deter a buyer and make it hard for you to sell"
- Shepherd Ncube - Springbok Properties
New research from Springbok Properties has revealed the property features and local factors most likely to deter buyers, with some issues prompting offers reduced by more than £40,000.
The survey of over 1,000 UK homebuyers found that three-quarters would walk away from a property entirely if it had a major turn-off. Of those who would still make an offer, 17% said they would lower their bid.
One in five would reduce by up to 15%, equivalent to £40,361 on the average UK house price of £269,079, while 57% said they would cut their offer by more than 15%.
Property-related turn-offs
Problems inside the home topped the list of buyer deal-breakers. The leading deterrents were:
Signs of damp or mould – the most common deal-breaker.
Very small rooms or poor layout – a close second.
Lack of natural light – ranked third.
Strong odours, such as pets, smoke or cooking smells.
Poorly converted garages or lofts, often seen as liabilities.
Outdated kitchens or bathrooms, costly to modernise.
Neglected gardens or outdoor areas.
Unusual flooring choices, for example, carpet in bathrooms.
Taxidermy or unusual collections on display.
Overly themed décor, such as novelty wallpaper or sports team colours.
External deterrents
Issues outside the property also weighed heavily on buyer decisions. The survey identified the following as the most off-putting:
High crime rates – the top external turn-off.
Noisy neighbours.
Lack of parking or contested street spaces.
Busy roads and traffic noise.
Neighbours with large or aggressive pets.
Homes under flight paths or near railway lines.
Poorly maintained neighbouring properties.
Strong political or religious signage, including placards or murals.
Too many short-lets or Airbnbs nearby.
Excess flying of flags, regardless of type.
“Selling a home can be a minefield due to buyer preferences, and the chances are your home will boast one, if not more, features that could deter a buyer and make it hard for you to sell,” explained Shepherd Ncube, CEO of Springbok Properties. “While some factors can be addressed with a relatively quick fix, others can pose a far more significant obstacle, requiring time, effort and money to rectify. That’s if they are within your control, of course, but unfortunately, there are many deterring factors that simply can’t be remedied.
“That’s why it’s vital for sellers to understand how these factors could affect their sale, particularly in a market where buyer demand is muted and homes are taking a very long time to sell – especially at higher price bands. It’s no surprise that with the market treading water at present, many sellers are turning to quicker, more certain sale routes, such as auctions or quick sale platforms like Springbok Properties, in order to make their move.”
