House Pricing Impact of Pools: Experts Uncover Top Ten Factors Decreasing Home Value Upon Sale

House Pricing Impact of Pools: Experts Uncover Top Ten Factors Decreasing Home Value Upon Sale

Rewritten Article:

Charming your way into potential buyers' hearts is crucial when selling a property, but specific aspects from a house number to certain plants in the garden might just send 'em packing. In today's surplus property market, these turn-offs could shave tens of thousands of pounds off your property's asking price or even block an offer — especially in a sluggish housing market. Fred Jones, CEO of house-buying company Upstix, explains, "It's a buyers' market. There's more competition, so sometimes these features might be just the reason a potential buyer moves on."

Online estate agency Yopa has compiled a comprehensive list of the top turn-offs and reveals the estimated cost per devaluation. Here are the top ten features that may leave buyers unimpressed, and ideas for fixing them to boost your home's market appeal.

1. Unlucky House Number: A seemingly innocuous thing like the number of your house could be a significant source of apprehension for superstitious buyers, shaving an average of £16,099 off your home's value. Some new developments skip house number 13 and run from 12 to 14, as it occurs more frequently than 13 on property portals like Rightmove. Unexpectedly, you cannot usually change the house number for personal preference, but you can add a name to the house. Consult your local council to submit your preferred house name, ensuring it does not resemble other house names in the area. Your house number must remain visible, even with a name added. Expect to pay £25 to £50 for the addition, according to the UK Sign Shop.
2. Aging or Neglected Swimming Pool: While a well-maintained swimming pool can boost a home's value by up to 20%, a neglected or seldom-used pool could decrease your property's price by nearly £53,000. Annual maintenance costs average around £650 for chemicals, £450 for water filling, and up to £250 for monthly maintenance services. New buyers may consider getting rid of the pool, but it could cost anywhere from £4,000 to £10,000 to remove, depending on the pool's size and type, according to MyJobQuote. Addressing a downtrodden pool is probably a better option than leaving it as is — the hassle of sorting it out is a substantial deterrent for buyers.
3. Japanese Knotweed: This invasive plant, introduced as an ornamental garden plant in the 19th century, can slash more than £40,000 from your home's price tag. The presence of Japanese knotweed may render a mortgage unobtainable, as it could cause structural issues and additional costs for eradication. Lenders may ask for a higher interest rate when providing a mortgage for properties with knotweed. To improve your home's marketability, disclose the presence of knotweed if you're not able to remove it.
4. Pylons/power lines: A power line or pylon near your property could wipe almost £38,000 from its value. Some people believe these structures carry health concerns, noise issues, and are unsightly. You cannot control the positioning of these structures, but you can minimize their presence by focusing on the positive aspects of your home and its surrounding environment.
5. Flood Risk/Water Damage: A property at risk of flooding can lose over £36,000 in value as buyers factor in potential repairs and increased insurance premiums. More substantial flood damage may even result in rejected mortgage applications. To mitigate the flood risk, invest in flood barriers and waterproofing to create the impression of a low-risk property for potential buyers.
6. Neighbors' Poor Upkeep: The state of your neighbor's property can influence your home's marketability. Overgrown gardens or unkempt homes may deter buyers and affect your property's value. Consider approaching your neighbor politely to express your concerns and propose a solution. If the neighbor disagrees, inform potential buyers about the dispute during the property viewing.
7. Neighbor Disputes: Ongoing disputes with neighbors can reduce a property's value by almost £27,000. Disclose any ongoing or historical disputes with neighbors during the property viewings or when a solicitor asks about them in the conveyancing process.
8. Unruly Garden: An overgrown or poorly maintained garden can devalue your property by around £22,000. Prepare your garden for viewings by focusing on cleanliness, tidiness, and well-manicured lawns. Freshen up the garden with potted plants and flowers to improve its overall appeal.
9. No Parking Spot: A lack of private parking spaces can reduce your home's value by about £18,246. Invest in paving or improving the driveway to accommodate multiple cars to boost the home's appeal and curb appeal.
10. Subsidence: Subsidence can cut your home's value by over £53,000, while expensive repairs can cost up to six figures. Lenders view properties with subsidence as a severe risk, so it's essential to have the issue addressed before selling. Consult a structural engineer to inspect your property and determine the necessary repairs.

By understanding the turn-offs that can affect your property's value, you can prepare your home for viewings and increase its marketability. Focus on creating a clean, tidy, and well-maintained space, and highlight the home's desirable features to attract serious buyers and secure a swift sale.

1. The unlucky house number, often perceived as a source of apprehension by superstitious buyers, can decrease a home's value by an average of £16,099. Changing the house name, however, might help boost the home's market appeal.
2. A neglected or aging swimming pool could lead to a decrease of almost £53,000 in a property's price. Regular maintenance can keep the pool in good condition and increase the property's value.
3. The presence of Japanese knotweed, an invasive plant, may decrease a home's price by over £40,000 and make it difficult to obtain a mortgage due to potential structural issues and costs for eradication.
4. Having pylons or power lines near a property can lower its value by nearly £38,000 due to perceived health concerns, noise issues, and unsightliness. Although the positioning cannot be controlled, focusing on a property's positive aspects can help mitigate its impact.
5. Properties at risk of flooding can lose over £36,000 in value due to potential repairs and increased insurance premiums. Installing flood barriers and waterproofing can create the impression of a low-risk property to potential buyers.
6. The state of the neighbor's property can influence a home's marketability, with overgrown gardens or unkempt homes deterring buyers and affecting the property's value. Addressing the issue diplomatically with the neighbor or informing potential buyers about the dispute can help reduce the impact.
7. Ongoing or historical disputes with neighbors can reduce a property's value by nearly £27,000. Disclosing these disputes during property viewings or the conveyancing process can help manage buyers' expectations.
8. An unruly garden, with overgrowth or poor maintenance, can decrease a property's value by around £22,000. Focusing on the cleanliness, tidiness, and well-manicured lawns can help improve the garden's overall appeal.
9. The absence of private parking spaces can lower a home's value by about £18,246. Providing paved or improved driveways to accommodate multiple cars can increase the home's appeal and curb appeal.
10. Subsidence can result in a significant decline of over £53,000 in a home's value, with expensive repairs that could cost up to six figures. Consulting a structural engineer to inspect the property and determine the necessary repairs is crucial to address this issue before selling.

Read also: