The SHOCKING Truth About Garden Gnomes

Published: 06/12/2018

We recently reported on how having a certain plant in your property can reduce its price by thousands of pounds, even tens of thousands.

As it turns out, this is not the only unexpected factor that can severely influence the price you receive for your house, flat or piece of land.

If you are thinking of selling your property in the near or even distance future, it’s a good idea to make yourself aware of the main factors that can turn potential buyers off, so that you can avoid problems down the line and get anything that requires maintenance sorted out sooner rather than later.

We asked our property team to compile a list of the biggest no-no’s when it comes to selling a property, for the best price and in the quickest period of time. Let’s have a look…

Things Property Buyers Hate That Will Down Value Your Home

• Garden gnomes.

  Yep, you read it right. According to research by UK firm Privilege Home Insurance, 11% of respondents would consider gnomes in the garden a huge turn-off when deciding on a property to buy or rent. The vast majority of people view them as creepy or weird, research suggests. Who would've known! Well, we guess we do agree. Anyone who read or watched Goosebumps as a kid will know that gnomes are a little scary.

• Poorly-executed renovations.

  Potential buyers would usually prefer an outdated home with original features that can be renewed rather than properties with badly renovated kitchens and bathrooms that are trying to be modern but are actually just a bit of a disaster! We would advise anyone considering renovations to research modern trends beforehand and to enlist the assistance of qualified and reputable contractors. Otherwise all your hardwork and money could do more harm than good. This advice is particularly relevant to current landlords - who may now think it’s a good idea to make quick and cheap modernisations, especially if housing students, but could regret it later on, if they wish to sell up.

• Outdated, tacky decorations.

  The aforementioned research by Privilege listed the following as massive turn-offs for potential buyers, and we can’t say we’re too surprised! They include: Toilet rugs, bright walls & patterned wallpaper, chandeliers, floral or patterned soft furnishings (rugs, cushions etc.), feature walls, velvet sofas, inspirational quote artwork, vinyl flooring and, although we do think this one is a little harsh, family photographs!

• Unclean kitchens and bathrooms.

  Research by Rightmove among 4,000 buyers found that dirty kitchens and bathrooms were the biggest turn-offs, with more than half of respondents selecting these from a list of gripes which included dated decor and unkempt gardens.

• Clutter.

  What else is there to say? Clutter is a killer. Tidy your house before any potential buyers visit and throw away junk!

• Bad smells.

  Well this one is a no-brainer. We always recommend lighting some fragrant candles or even baking a cake before people come to view your property.

• Feline friends.

  Sorry cat lovers, but apparently having moggies roaming around your pad isn’t exactly a good look for some potential buyers, who may be concerned about allergies and cleanliness issues. Consider popping the litter tray away and sending your furry friends on a day trip to the neighbour’s place.

In contrast, there are a number of features that are more likely to entice potential buyers to make an offer. According to the Privilege research, these include:

• Cleanliness 57%
• Outdoor area 56%
• A walk-in wardrobe 37%
• Kitchen storage 37%
• Fast broadband speeds 36%
• Neutral walls 33%
• Wooden flooring 31%
• Bath 23%
• Double bathroom sink and mirror 20%
• Smart Home Technology 18%
• Washer/dryer 16%
• Fresh flowers 16%
• Indoor plants 10%
• Waste disposal units 10%
• Modern artwork 7%

Why are we the best solicitors for you?

GWlegal are a property solicitors based in Liverpool, specialising in buying or selling, remortgage, declaration of trust, bridging and buy-to-let landlords.

If you have a legal matter you wish to discuss don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can call us on 0345 373 3737 email us hello@gw.legal with your question.

Who are GWlegal? We’re a national firm with local values.

Buying a house?

Content correct at time of publication.