Call us
    T: 0161 428 3663E: sales@mkiea.co.uk
    Get a Valuation
    Register
    Address required
    Search
    LogoLogo
    • Selling
    • Auctions
    Sales

    5 things buyers DON’T want to discover about your home

    about 3 years ago
    5 things buyers DON’T want to discover about your home

    Whether the property market is running hot or cooling down with the seasonal shift, buyers will always have a vision of what they want their next home to be – and your property for sale might be full of off-putting aspects. 

    A new study by Tapi has identified the top five home-related turn-offs, together with five aspects that make people feel positive about a property. 

    1.     A property that needs a lot of work doing to it

    While some buyers have their heart set on a ‘doer-upper’ that can be ripped apart, stripped back and rebuilt to their own liking, almost half (45%) of those questioned said a home that needed too much work was a non-starter. What many purchasers are looking for is a home they can move into and enjoy from day one, without booking a plumber, electrician or builder.

    1.     A property in need of complete redecoration

    Buyers are not fond of homes where the standard of decoration is of an acquired taste or of a tatty standard. In fact, 22% of those taking part in the study said the need to completely redecorate would put them off a property. If your rooms are painted in vibrant shades or the walls covered in crayon scribbles, a trip to a DIY store may be required. 

    1.     An old kitchen

    While some kitchen cabinet, tile and worktop combinations can stand the test of time, 28% of buyers would discount a property if it had an old kitchen that needed replacing. As well as a dislike of dated doors, damaged surfaces and greasy tiles, 12% of people taking part in the same survey said they were looking for modern appliances.

    1.     Too much noise

    Sometimes it’s not what’s in your property that will put off potential buyers but what’s outside. Lots of external noise was a negative for 43% of those taking part in the study. While there’s not much you can do about living under a flight path, next to a railway line or beneath a heavy-footed family fond of shuffling furniture, you can investigate a number of ambient improvements, such as triple glazing, soundproofing, more absorbent floorings and using trees as a noise buffer.

    1.     Unsightly surroundings in eye view of the property

    An attractive view is very important to some buyers, with 36% saying an eyesore visible from the property would prompt them to discount it. If the offending sight is within the seller’s boundary – such as an overgrown garden or a skip on the driveway – they have the power to change the view quite easily. If it’s a sight outside of their control, it may be possible to obscure the view with screening, plants, fencing or partial frosting to windows.

    5 things buyers DO want to discover

    The same Tapi survey identified property aspects that buyers did want to see when viewing a property.

    1.     private outdoor space (52%)
    2.     a new kitchen (51%)
    3.     a new bathroom (42%)
    4.     freshly painted walls (20%) 
    5.     neutral colours (19%)

    With this knowledge, sellers can upgrade their property before it goes on the market, with a few tweaks giving it wider appeal. When it comes to more ambitious improvements, consult with us as to whether the cost of a new kitchen or bathroom will be recouped when selling. We can also discuss pricing your property to take external factors – such as noise and visual distractions – into account.

    Share this article

    More Articles

    Cheadle Property Market Update August 2025

    Cheadle Property Market Update August 2025

    Published 17 days ago

    The July/August property market has brought plenty of movement — but not all for the same reasons. Sellers are seeing more competition, landlords are enjoying strong rental yields, and buyers suddenly have more choice. But what does this mean for your next move? In our latest blog, we break down the key trends in SK8 & SK3 — and what they mean if you’re thinking of selling, letting, or buying in the second half of 2025.

    Read More
    Saying Goodbye: The Emotional Journey of Selling a Parent’s Home

    Saying Goodbye: The Emotional Journey of Selling a Parent’s Home

    Published 21 days ago

    It’s not just a house; it’s the home that built you. It’s the wall where your height was measured, the garden where they taught you to play, the kitchen that always felt like the centre of the world. Now, in the quiet after their passing, you’re left with the heartbreaking task of selling it. If you're navigating this painful journey and feel overwhelmed by the thought of it all, this article is for you. We see the story behind the front door, and we’re here to help you honour it.

    Read More
    Cheadle Mortgage market receives a summer boost

    Cheadle Mortgage market receives a summer boost

    Published 25 days ago

    Although Labour has long been associated with better rights for renters, it recently showed that it is equally as committed to promoting homeownership. A raft of financial reforms designed to help mortgage borrowers, which will apply across the UK, were announced in July.

    Read More

    Sign up for our newsletter

    Subscribe to receive the latest property market information to your inbox, full of market knowledge and tips for your home.

    You may unsubscribe at any time. See our Privacy Policy.

    Back to Home

    Office Hours 

    Monday – Friday
    9am – 6pm
    Saturday
    9am – 4pm
    Sunday viewings available
    12 – 3 pm

    Information 

    Sellers
    Landlords
    Tenants
    Solicitor Services
    Mortgage Advice
    About the FIA
    CMP Certificate

    Contact us 

    69 High Street
    Cheadle, Cheshire
    SK8 1AA
    t: 0161 428 3663
    Email us

    Logo
    Logo
    Logo
    Logo
    Logo
    Logo
    Logo
    Logo
    Logo
    © 2025 Maurice Kilbride
    Privacy Policy|Terms & Conditions|Cookie Policy|Complaints Procedure
    Powered by