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Could this be the reason your house isn’t selling?

Joanna Faith
Written By:
Posted:
12/07/2021
Updated:
20/05/2022

Is your house on the market but you’ve not had a single offer? A new survey reveals what might be putting buyers off

The number one turn-off for potential buyers is lack of outdoor space, according to new research by GoCompare.

In fact, more than half of people said they would be totally put off buying a property if it didn’t have a garden.

The comparison site surveyed 2,000 UK adults and found other no-nos include damp patches and stains and nasty odours as well as no parking and rubbish in neighbours’ gardens.

Neglected or poor home maintenance rang alarm bells for many. In addition to evidence of damp on walls or ceilings, the survey revealed that buyers are put-off by homes which are in a poor state of repair, had unfinished building work, or by signs of botched DIY.

Bad housekeeping is a potentially bigger deal breaker than outdated décor or small rooms.  As well as being put off by nasty smells and dirty rooms, homes that are generally untidy, have overgrown gardens or cluttered rooms are a big no-no for some buyers.

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Connectivity is also a key issue, with 44 per cent of those surveyed saying they wouldn’t buy a property in a broadband black spot and 35 per cent saying they’d avoid a home with poor mobile phone signal. Some 28 per cent would be turned-off by a property not covered by either 4G or 5G.

Ryan Fulthorpe, from GoCompare Home Insurance, said: “For most of us, buying a home is our single biggest financial commitment.  So, most buyers want to think that the property they’re buying has been well looked after by its current owners and that they aren’t in for any nasty surprises.

“Messy, poorly maintained or damaged properties are harder to sell. Potential buyers may struggle to see past the mess to fully appreciate the property or have concerns that the mess is hiding bigger issues.  For example, they may be concerned that a musty smell, or stains on walls or ceilings could be tell-tale signs of a serious damp problem which might be expensive to remedy.  Unfinished building work or botched DIY can be also expensive to put right and can detract from a property’s value and saleability.

“To help buyers see the potential in your property and give yourself the best chance of securing a sale, before you put your home on the market, make sure that it is clean, fragrant, and tidy.  Also make sure that any outstanding maintenance jobs are dealt with.”