Real Estate Agents Reveal Most Common Home Features That Turn Away Buyers 

In a recent publication, expert real estate agents revealed some of the most common home features that immediately turn buyers away from a property. When thinking about putting your home on the market, a lot of the time the focus can be on the amenities that make the space stand out and allure potential buyers. 

However, the turn offs are arguably the most important features to focus on when selling a property, because in a split second a buyer can decide the investment is no longer worth it if they see some of the following features. 

Jan Ryan, a broker owner of RE/MAX Direct, told The Spruce that neglected yards and outdoor spaces is one of the biggest turn offs for buyers due to the amount of effort that it takes to fix it. 

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“Think a patch of dead grass, an overgrown lawn, unraked leaves, dead plantings, an unmaintained deck, or a cracked walkway. Your property’s outdoor areas in disarray can be as much of a dealbreaker as neglected interior repairs. It’s a game-changer to have curb appeal and an enticing backyard,” Ryan said. 

“Even a small patch of healthy green lawn in the front yard goes a long way in making a house more attractive,” she said.

Sellers should consult with a landscaper before placing their home on the market, or at least get the process of fixing the yard going, however it needs to be done, as they’re selling to ensure buyers that it will be fixed by the time they move in. 

Sellers who have carpet in their homes should also be wary. Old carpeting can not only be unsightly, but unhygienic depending on how long it’s been there. The aesthetic can also impact whether or not a buyer is attracted to the home, and don’t want to think about the process of ripping up the carpeting itself to either refurbish the floors underneath, or spend the money on completely new flooring. 

The Spruce also reported that it’s a good idea for sellers to remove and store potentially “polarizing and distracting decor.” Think sentimental knick-knacks, mounted wall decor, and pieces that are on the more personal side. 

Buyers want to be able to envision themselves in the space, so the more generic staging decor, the better. 

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“This also extends to the outdoor areas. Yard art of any sort is a bad idea,” said Jonathan Self, a real estate broker at Compass.

The same sentiment is said about outdated fixtures and hardware. Ryan specifically wants sellers to “be on the lookout for now out-of-style fixtures such as brass-and-crystal light fixtures, old-fashioned (circa 1980) doorknobs and bath faucets, or cabinet pulls that belong in grandma’s kitchen.”

One of the easiest things that can be fixed is overly bold paint colors, again, the more generic the better. 

“That lime green accent wall might have felt fun at one point, but buyers can’t see past bold and dated colors,” says Ryan.

Neural earth tones are always a solid choice, and gives the seller the chance to see the potential of a space. Also, Self recommends hiring professionals, as the more DIY a space seems, the less appealing it becomes. 

“If I walk into a house and see more than one DIY job, it’s going to trip alarm bells: If the seller is too thrifty, I’m going to assume s/he also hired the cheapest electrician or plumber,” Self said.

“In addition to sagging roofs and mold issues, buyers notice minor maintenance issues, including peeling paint, loose door handles, and dripping faucets,” Ryan said.

“If they see small things ignored, they worry about the big-ticket items.”