What Do Home Buyers Dislike the Most?

When the time comes to selling your home, it can often seem like a daunting process especially if it is your first time. As such, there is a lot more that goes into selling your home than simply putting a for sale sign outside. The way your home is presented and also advertised is what will entice potential buyers to view your home and hopefully lead to a sale!

It is important to remember that the style of your home will not be everyone’s cup of tea, but you should try to make an effort to appeal to the widest audience as possible. However, there are a number of things which potential buyers really dislike and can be a deterrent. We have taken a look at some of the things property buyers dislike the most.

Noise

Whether it is from the road outside your home or from your neighbours, noise can be a complete turn off for potential buyers. Of course, this aspect is out of your control especially if you live by a road, but you can take some measures to help reduce any noise from outside your home. Investing in double or triple glazing can help reduce the noise when you are inside, but this can be costly. You can purchase ‘soundproof’ curtains and blinds which can block out some nuisance noise. 

When outside, you will notice any noise a lot more and so will potential buyers. To make the outside a little more enjoyable, you can incorporate the sound of running water by having a fountain or even a pond. 

Clutter 

When potential buyers look around a property, they will want to imagine what it is like living there and how their belongings will fit in. If a room is overcrowded or cluttered, it might make a room feel smaller than it is and does not let potential buyers see themselves living there. 

Before you think about putting your home on the market, you should make sure you tidy up as much as possible and remove any unnecessary clutter from each room. However, it is important to remember that you still want your home to look welcoming and homely, so don’t completely strip out furniture and personal items. 

Overgrown Garden

Having a garden is a huge selling point and is often a sought-after feature. If you have a garden, you should make sure that it is in a presentable state before you put it on the market. From mowing your lawn, weeding and picking up any debris, it is incredibly easy to make your garden look a lot nicer. 

As mentioned above, potential buyers will see an outside space as a huge selling point, so you should ensure that it looks the best it can before they come for a viewing or before photos are taken. 

Outdated Rooms

Unless you are selling your home as a project, each room should be modernised to some extent. Nowadays, potential buyers want to move into a property without any fuss, which means that each room should be brought into the 21st century. Bathrooms and kitchens, in particular, are some of the most important rooms in the house to modernise but will also be the costliest. 

Bad DIY

One thing that can put off potential buyers the most is dodgy DIY. Whether you have tried to fix something yourself or have poorly redecorated a room, this can really put a buyer off. This is something that should be corrected before anyone views your property. 

Dark Rooms

This may be something that is out of your control, but dark rooms can make the space look a lot smaller as well as creating an unwelcoming ambience which potential buyers do not like. 

However, even if the room is naturally dark, there are a number of ways you can brighten up a room to make it look a lot less dingy. Painting the walls white, hanging mirrors and ensuring that the room is lit can really help brighten a room where it doesn't tend to get much natural light. 

Damp and Other Defects

Damp is a common problem found in homes, and this is one defect which can really put off potential buyers. Damp can often be found in rooms such as the bathroom due to it being exposed to moisture the most, but rooms which aren’t very well ventilated can also struggle with mould. 

If your home is persistently damp, you should seek the advice of a professional as there may be an underlying issue. It is also important to remember that many home buyers will get a survey before they move in just to make sure everything is okay with the property structurally. 

These are just a handful of problems and issues potential buyers dislike, but many of these can be easily resolved and should be before your home is put on the market. If you require any advice regarding the sale of your home, we are experienced Dartmoor estate agents who also cover West Devon, so please do not hesitate to get in touch on 01837 54504.