5 ways to lose a house sale
Here’s our expert guide to the things that put buyers off your property – and how to fix them
NEEDS REPAIRS
A recent survey by Gocompare.com found homebuyers were put off by: damp (71 per cent), unfinished building projects (55 per cent), an old, inefficient boiler and central heating system (45 per cent), and bad DIY (43 per cent). ‘Buyers tend to be happy to change kitchens and bathrooms,’ says property expert James Shaw of Prime Purchase. ‘But they want to see evidence of a solid building fabric and grounds.’
The fix Ask your selling agent to be brutally honest and advise what maintenance issues need addressing. Do this before viewings start, as a mortgage valuation survey will pick up on faults.
LOOKS UNTIDY
’Vendors should present a pristine living space, with beautifully made-up beds and plumped-up pillows,’ says Samantha Ashdown, a director of independent Lake District estate agency AshdownJones. ‘Pay attention to smells too. In one house, I had to remove an overflowing cat litter tray from the master bedroom!’
The fix Clean everything in sight, empty bins, air rooms, rectify the source of bad odours such as damp, and wash the windows.
ZERO KERB APPEAL
Stone cladding, outmoded pebble dash and shabby render all deter would-be buyers, according to Gocompare.com’s survey. ‘But it may not take much to turn an ugly property into a swan,’ says James Greenwood of Stacks Property Search. ‘Sellers should stress that it can mean paying less for a better location and more space. Going ugly and paying for a facelift can be a wise move.’
The fix ‘There’s a lot you can do by painting, landscaping or re-rendering,’ advises James. ‘Remove or replace unsightly additions such as porches and conservatories, grow climbers, upgrade the drive; one of the most spectacular improvements is to replace or repaint windows.’
UNDEFINED LAYOUT
One of the things that puts off buyers more than anything else is unconventional layouts, says Paula Higgins of Homeowners Alliance: ‘It’s a common problem with large houses converted into flats, but can also be the case with new builds.’
The fix ‘Choose an agent with the right type of buyers,’ says Kate Faulkner, analyst for property advice site propertychecklists.co.uk. ‘The sale will require careful marketing, and the agent has to be proactive. Or put your house on at a great price.’
WRONG SEASON
If you’re selling in summer and the pictures in the brochure show the garden in winter, buyers may think it’s been on the market a while and has issues.
The fix ‘Ask your agent to re-shoot and refresh, or be forceful about selecting good photographs in the first instance that exclude anything that dates the details,’ says Samantha Ashdown.