Survey finds top home assets that deter Brits from buying a property

• Now is the ideal time for prospective home buyers to make the leap of purchasing a new home, as the market shifts to a buyer’s one. 
• For those looking to sell their homes during a buyer’s market, it’s vital your property is in the best possible condition to stand out from the crowd. 
• Carpet and flooring retailer, Tapi, have surveyed 1,500 Brits to reveal UK home buyers’ biggest turn-offs when they’re searching for their next home. 
• Tapi partner with property experts to reveal how to get your home market ready

With property experts sharing that house prices fell in January, as well as the new buyer demand[1], it’s crucial for those looking to sell their home in 2023 to exceed buyer expectations and beat fierce competition.  

So, to understand just what UK homebuyers look for in a property, Tapi conducted a survey of 1,500 British people to reveal the top interior features that would turn them off viewing a property, putting an offer in and reducing their offer amount. 

Top five interior assets that would decrease prospective buyers’ money offer 

Lastly, Brits were polled on which interior factors would make them lower their offer on a property they viewed. The top five were: 

• Unmodernised kitchen (49%) 
• Visible signs of mould (47%) 
• Unmodernised bathroom (43%) 
• Water stains left from previous leaks (43%) 
• Unkept, dirty or worn carpets (30%) 

Top five interiors assets that would stop prospective buyers viewing a property.

The survey asked Brits what features would stop them from going to view a property if they spotted them in the listing photos. The top five were:  

• Visible signs of mould (53%)  
• Water stains left from previous leaks (46%) 
• Rooms look small (37%)  
• Lacks natural lighting (35%) 
• Unkept, dirty or worn carpets (32%) 

Top five interior assets that would prevent prospective buyers making an offer. 

Then, the survey went on to ask Brits what interior factors would prevent them from putting an offer in on a property after they had viewed it. The top five features were: 

• Visible signs of mould (52%) 
• Water stains left from previous leaks (46%) 
• Lacks natural lighting (35%) 
• Rooms look small (35%) 
• Unmodernised kitchen (30%) 

Six expert tips on how to get your home market-ready 

With the survey revealing the interior features that can negatively impact the home buying and selling process, Tapi teamed up with property expert Jonathan Rolande, and James Roberts from Sanctuary Bathrooms, to share their top tips on ensuring your home has the best possible chance on the market. 

1. Remove personal touches ahead of photo day 

Making sure your home looks its best on photo day has never been so important when trying to stand out amongst the crowd on property listing sites.  

Property expert Jonathan Rolande advises home sellers to remove anything that might reveal the date, such as Christmas decorations or Easter cards. 

He also advises to take down any personal photographs and valuable items as they’ll be online for all to see. 

For those with pets, Jonathan says: “Remove anything like baskets and bowls – some people won’t want to buy a house that’s been home to a pet!”  

2. Create an inviting space for guests ahead of viewings 

Before any viewings, Jonathan recommends the property is clean, clutter free and ‘dressed’ well. For example, avoiding cooking anything with a strong smell for at least 24 hours ahead of viewings. Having well-made beds and plumped-up sofa cushions can make all the difference.  

He adds: “Make sure the house number is clear and always leave outside lights on in the evening. Ensure you have turned on lamps even in rooms you’re in, as overhead lights aren’t as welcoming.”  

3. Tackle mould and water stains before you try and sell 

For those who have tackled mould or water stains in the past, Jonathan advises you check the source of the issue before putting your home on the market. Once it’s been addressed, he recommends wiping mould away with a mild bleach solution and waiting for it to dry. If it doesn’t re-appear, it’s safe to paint.  

He also suggests using a stain blocking paint first to ensure any stains don’t bleed through.  

4. Give your bathroom a ‘hotel’ feel 

In the bathroom, think ‘hotel’. Jonathan says: “A nice bathroom doesn’t have to be brand new, but it should be very clean, and you should hide anything like toothpaste, brushes, shampoos, and cosmetics.  

“Consider buying new fluffy towels, a battery candle or a diffuser to give a spa-like calming feel.” 

James Roberts, Director of Sanctuary Bathrooms, reveals how you can jazz up your existing bathroom with new fittings and fixtures. 

“If you do have a little cash to spare, something that can really revive a bathroom and provide a new lease of life is refreshing some of the décor. From a simple lick of paint to changing accessories and fixtures such as taps, shower fittings, toilet brushes and roll holders, and even a new bath panel can help to bring a whole new look or simply create a more cohesive theme.  

“For example, switching from colours can help change the dynamic and style of a room, with something like an elegant brass theme is a popular choice to replace chrome.” 

5.  Modernise your kitchen quickly 

For the ultimate kitchen refresh which doesn’t require a brand-new refit, Jonathan advises home sellers to refresh their kitchen by painting kitchen tiles and cupboards and replacing handles on older units ahead of putting the property on the market. 

6. Deep clean your carpets and floors 

Before any pictures of in-person property viewings, doing a deep clean of your carpet and smooth floors is highly recommended by Brand and Communications Director at Tapi, Johanna Constantinou. 

Johanna says: “One of the quickest and most dramatic ways to make your home more buyer-friendly is to improve the appearance of your floors. As revealed in the study, they can be detrimental to the sale of your house, so it’s good to give them a well-needed refresh before any photos are taken and before anyone comes to view it. 

Further home buying turn offs from the study can be found here: https://www.tapi.co.uk/the-ideas-hub/lifestyle/britains-biggest-homebuying-turn-offs