The Top 13 Things That Put Off Prospective Tenants Or Buyers
The importance of first impressions, something we are all too aware of in the property industry. Whether itâs how shiny your shoes are, what car you turn up in or (unsurprisingly) the condition of the property you are trying to sell or let, first impressions can make or break you in this business.
If you are currently in the process of trying to sell or let your property weâre sure you have already absorbed, and tried to action, as many âgood practiceâ recommendations as you can. Listening to self proclaimed experts is all well and good, but have you ever wondered what the people that really matter think?
Thankfully oceanfinance.co.uk were wondering just the same thing and used their considerable resources to find out the answers. They posed the question âIf you were viewing a property, which of the following would most put you off buying or renting?â to over 2,000 UK adults and asked them to tick their top 3. So strap yourselves in and prepare to find out what could be dragging your property down.
THE 13 TOP PUT-OFFS FOR PROSPECTIVE BUYERS OR TENANTS
1. Noisy neighbours (55% said they would be put off by this)
2. Mouldy rooms (49%)
3. General poor state of repair (43%)
4. Lack of central heating (30%)
5. Untidy neighboursâ gardens (28%)
6. Unpleasant smells (e.g. animals or tobacco smoke) (27%)
7. Badly kept communal areas (flats) (16%)
8. Lack of double glazing (14%)
9. Half-done decorating / building work (8%)
10. Stone cladding (7%)
11. Brown or green bathroom suite (4%)
12. Untidy or overgrown garden (4%)
13. Decorating ânot to our tasteâ (2%)
Unfortunately not all of these different variables are within your control. Obviously thereâs little action you can take with regards to noisy neighbours (short of hoping and praying that they wonât be in when your property is being viewed). The same can be said for untidy neighbours gardens. However, many of the things on this list are well within your control and are deserving of your attention. If you smoke why not start nipping out to the garden to partake. It may involve you going out in the cold but hey, thatâs what jackets were invented for. If it adds value to your house or makes it easier to sell then itâs worth the effort and uncomfort.
Any and all decorating put-offs are relatively straightforward to solve as well. We know you have been meaning to finish painting the hallway but you just havenât found the time. The fact of the matter is that you need to find the time if you want to sell your property for what it is really worth. It also goes to say that you may have been putting off cutting back that bush and digging up those old tree stumps in the garden for so long that you had forgotten they even existed but believe us, people viewing your house will notice them. Realistically speaking, youâre looking at an afternoons work to get your garden looking ship shape again.
Of course, not all of these issues are easy fixes. When it comes to things such as fitting central heating or double glazing you need to do a simple cost analysis of whether youâll make more money from selling the property then it will cost you to carry out the improvements.
THE AGE OF THE CLIENTS MATTERS
Itâs worth noting that different age groups find different things more important. For example, whereas 21% of 18-34 year olds would be put off by a lack of double glazing only 10% of the over-55â˛s would see this as an issue. However, in a role reversal 65% of people aged 65 plus said they would be put off by noisy neighbours whereas just 35% of 18-24 year olds saw this as an issue.
So, our advice? Correct as many of these issues as possible whilst making your house as attractive to prospective buyers and tenants as you can and you will be putting yourself above the competition, something that is incredibly important in this cutthroat property market, particularly the central London one!
Written by Lajla Turner | Lettings Manager
Featured Image Attribution: Pennello
Messy Room Image Attribution: Hector Alejandro
Broken Window Image Attribution: robokow