Homeowners hoping to sell their property are understandably keen to achieve the best possible price, but certain unexpected features could be quietly ruining your home's value. No property will tick every box for every buyer, but appealing to the widest audience is crucial — focus on minimising hassle for buyers and concentrate on smaller improvements that deliver the greatest impact.
Hammonds Furniture has pinpointed aspects of a home that could knock as much as 20% — or an average of £59,330 — off its market value, given that the average house price currently stands at £298,806, according to the Halifax House Price Index.
Kirsty Oakes, head of product and marketing at Hammonds Furniture, said: "We all have something in mind when we begin a search for our next home, but there are certain features that for many people could be an absolute dealbreaker. However, some of these features are surprisingly quick and simple to amend if you are looking to sell your house."
Ugly Wallpaper
Research carried out by Hammonds Furniture revealed that a quarter of buyers would be deterred from purchasing a home, or would lower their offer, if they considered the wallpaper to be "ugly". While stripping the wallpaper and redecorating yourself is entirely possible, this finding was interesting. Therefore, if you're preparing to put your home on the market, it may well be worth removing any divisive wallpaper and replacing it with neutral tones instead.
Pebbledash
Pebbledash, a trend that reached its height in the 1920s, can serve as a functional feature for a property as it protects the building from severe weather conditions and is very long-lasting. However, at least a quarter of individuals simply "aren't fans of its aesthetic and will make potential buyers run away". Removing pebbledash can be difficult, though it can be rendered over. For those selling, applying a fresh layer of paint to the pebbledash can help in concealing its look, making it more attractive to a broader array of buyers - just ensure you use spray paint, as rollers and brushes fail to deliver effective results.
Bathrooms Without a Bathtub
As the name suggests, a bathroom typically revolves around a tub, and traditional bathrooms will continue to showcase a freestanding bath as a centrepiece. Despite the reality that most people no longer indulge in morning and evening soaks, the bathtub is still an important part, and one that numerous people will be reluctant to ditch. Considering that nearly a third of people would share the same thoughts about an inadequate shower, it's clear that bathing amenities are a crucial consideration for purchasers.
