10 red flags that always scare off potential house buyers – and expert advice on how to remedy the problems

If you are thinking about selling your property in the not-too-distant future you need to familiarize yourself with the red flags that scare off potential buyers before going to market – in many cases, even small changes and updates will make all the difference to the speed and ease with which you get to move on.

We spoke to a range of property experts for their views on the mistakes they see homeowners making again and again that prevent them from selling their houses. We also asked them for the top ways in which people can make their homes more saleable to get the best price in the least time.

If you have started scanning the property market for your dream home then make sure you are aware of the features house buyers want and make you home as attractive to prospective buyers as possible with our top expert advice.

Red flags that scare off potential buyers

While not all buyers will be looking for the same thing from a property, there tend to be certain factors that will always act as deterrents. Understanding what these are and what you can do to put them right is key to increase the value for your home, and get the best price when you sell.

1. Lack of curb appeal

This is something that all of our experts agreed on – an untidy or ugly exterior.

Margy DeFazio, a realtor in Morristown NJ with over 25 years experience says, 'The exterior of a home is the first impression buyers get. Unkempt lawns, peeling paint and outdated landscaping can significantly impact a buyer’s perception before they even step inside.

'According to experts, buyers form an impression, unconsciously, within the first seven seconds of viewing a home in person. If the initial impression is poor it's very hard for a buyer to want to purchase the home.'

Stacy Brown, director of technical training at Real Property Management agrees. 'The main thing that puts buyers off is the lack of curb appeal,' says Stacy. 'Putting time and effort into the interior of a home is important, but the first thing buyers see is the exterior. Make sure the landscape is refreshed, the sidewalk and exterior of the house should be power washed and add a fresh coat of paint on the exterior, window panes and doors.'

'An unkempt entryway, a dirty front door in need of cleaning or painting, overgrown landscaping and grass, debris in the front yard and so on give a very negative first impression,' adds Kirstin D Conti, broker-owner at Peacock Premier Properties.

'If a property's yard or exterior doesn't appear well-maintained, buyers may assume the inside hasn't been taken care of and choose not to tour it,' points out Laura Adams, a senior real estate analyst at Aceable. 'Investing in landscaping, lawn care, pressure washing and exterior paint can make a property more attractive, inviting buyers to see the interior.'

There are loads of ways to upgrade curb appeal in a weekend or less, including adding pots and plants around your front door and regularly power washing your driveway.

The Sun Joe SPX3000 Electric Pressure Washer from Amazon has two removable tanks that allow you to carry two different types of detergent depending on the surface you are cleaning.

Margy DeFazio

Margy DeFazio is a Realtor in Morristown NJ with over 25 years experience. She helps homeowners sell their properties for the most amount of money in the least amount of time. Margy has won numerous awards for her performance which include awards for her unmatched record selling new construction in planned communities and luxury high rises and she specializes in the luxury housing market. She is a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist, an Accredited Buyers Representative, and a licensed Broker (a higher level of education than Agent in NJ) Margy is also an expert in staging homes to sell and is frequently consulted as an expert by homeowners for short and long-term renovation and home upgrades and to provide accurate advice about how to maximize return on investment.

2. Bad smells, clutter and dirt

Walking into a house and being greeted by bad smells and piles of mess covered in dust is never going to be a good start.

Chrysti Peek, broker/team leader at Chrysti & Co Team brokered by Exp Realty says, 'The top dealbreaker is smell, hands down. Pet smell, smoke smell, cooking smells, damp smells... I can't tell you how many clients have passed over an otherwise perfect home because of questionable odors.'

Learn about the things people with nice-smelling homes always do to get you started.

Margy DeFazio agrees. 'Unpleasant smells from pets, smoking, or cooking can be immediate turn-offs. Pet smells, especially, are often cause for buyers to immediately eliminate a home from consideration. Sometimes, just the sight of a cat toy or a litter box can be a deal breaker.

'Similarly, a cluttered or dirty home can make any property unappealing and can prevent buyers from visualizing themselves living in the space,' adds Margy.

'Upon entering the home, a clean tidy environment that is uncluttered is best,' says Kristen D Conti. 'If any repairs are needed, do those in advance or risk people making much lower offers by overstating the cost of repairs.'

There are certain things that make your home smell good all the time, including certain houseplants and diffusers – we love this Jasmine Aroma Diffuser from Wayfair for its subtle appearance and ease of use.

3. Signs of structural issues

Certain sights are immediately off-putting for any potential buyer so making sure you deal with these before viewing commences is important.

'Signs of water damage (for example from flooding) are a huge red flag to homebuyers,' says Margy DeFazio. 'Even if the initial cause of the problem, like a leaking pipe or roof, has been repaired, failure to correct the resulting evidence of damage to paint or sheetrock can turn buyers off immediately.

'Similarly, cracks in walls or ceilings can raise concerns about the property’s integrity and future repair costs,' explains Margy.

'Any exterior or interior cracks in a home's structure could indicate potential problems with its foundation or raise safety concerns,' says Laura Adams. 'Also, fresh paint on interior ceilings or walls indicate recent water leaks.'

Familiarize yourself with how to paint over water marks and invest in a product such as Zinnser Covers Up from Amazon which is a spray that covers stains in seconds.

4. Non-permitted additions

If you (or a previous owner of your home) made alterations or built some home addition ideas without gaining the necessary permissions, selling it on is going to prove tricky.

'Another big issue here is non-permitted additions or improvements,' warns Kristen D Conti. 'We carefully check the county records to ensure all we see has been permitted. Much of it has not and this problem has been exacerbated by Hurricane Ian. There were not enough contractors or there were contractors who were not licensed doing repairs. This can result in huge issues with obtaining financing.'

Make sure you have all work approved and signed off before trying to sell.

Kristen D Conti

Kristen has a woman-owned small business, and is an OSB Broker-Owner specializing in SW Florida properties. She is a REO expert, short sale specialist, waterfront expert and new home sales specialist.

5. Obvious poor maintenance

Signs that a property has not been well cared for will instantly give buyers the impression that they should expect to walk into a money pit.

'Gutters full of debris, rotting trim and windows and doors that stick, don't open or have gaps will all put buyers on the alert to look for more problems,' says Chrysti Peek. 'Little red flags snowball fast.'

'Deferred maintenance and outdated kitchens and bathrooms are key areas that buyers focus on,' explains Margy DeFazio. 'Obviously, dated appliances, old fixtures and worn-out cabinets or countertops can make a home less appealing. What is less obvious to sellers is that potential buyers can make assumptions about the condition of a home's plumbing and electric. Even if these systems have been updated to current standards, buyers may assume they are in need of attention and/or repair.'

Simply learning how to clean gutters from the roof and getting the job done before selling will help so much. Don't fancy getting on the roof? Arm yourself with this 12FT Telescopic Gutter Cleaning Tool from Amazon which makes life easier when cleaning gutters from the ground.

6. Non hurricane-resistant homes

If you have an older roof you may well run into difficulties when it comes to selling, with many insurance companies swerving these types of property – something which is bound to put buyers off.

For many buyers, if you have neglected to look into how to prepare your house for hurricane season, they will immediately walk away. Learn how much a new roof will cost.

'In states like Florida, home insurance companies won't write new policies on properties with older roofs,' explains Laura Adams. 'So, be sure you understand whether a listing would be insurable for a potential buyer. Replacing a roof before putting a property on the market and adjusting the listing price could pay off for a seller.'

'Red flags here in SW Florida are homes that are not hurricane resistant,' adds Kristen D Conti. 'Roofs older than 10 years, windows and doors that are not hurricane resistant, lack of hurricane shutters, older hot water heaters and HVAC systems, electrical panels that are not updated, and plumbing with older cast iron pipes. All of these affect insurance rates.'

Laura Adams

Laura Adams is an award-winning financial author, podcaster and spokesperson, as well as a previous realtor in the state of Florida. She is a frequent media source who's been featured on major news outlets including NBC, CBS, ABC FOX, Bloomberg, NPR, The New York Times, Money, Kiplinger and Forbes. She earned an MBA from the University of Florida.

7. The presence of mold

If there is one thing that homeowners and potential buyers dread it has to be the sight of mold. Not only is it ugly but it is also a sign that there is something wrong with the way the house is working – not to mention a risk to health.

Matthew Bizzarro, CEO and founder at The Bizzarro Agency says, 'A big red flag is mold. In many ways, mold is worse than asbestos. Asbestos in insulation or floor tiles is a known quantity. Once specialists remove the products it’s in, it’s gone. But mold spreads and can be anywhere in the home, which means it’s hard to guarantee it’s been removed entirely.'

You should first find out what is causing the mold and then look into how to get rid of black mold and prevent it's return. RMR-86 Instant Mold and Mildew Stain Remover Spray from Amazon is a lifesaver, removing black mold and mildew stains with no need for scrubbing.

Moldy carpets may need specialist treatment as often, the moisture used to clean carpets yourself can cause further mold in the layers beneath.

8. No air conditioning system

There are certain things these days that homeowners just assume will be in place, including up-to-date heating and cooling systems. The presence (or lack of) air conditioning can be a deal breaker for home buyers.

'Houses that don’t have central AC can instantly put buyers off,' says Seamus Nally, CEO of TurboTenant. 'While this may have more or less of an impact depending on the area’s weather and temperature norms, it’s usually going to devalue a home by anywhere from 10-20%.

'Central AC is something that has come to be expected, so when older homes that don’t have it are being sold, buyers will instantly recognize that as a home improvement project they will have to take on.'

There are lots of air conditioning types available so be sure to look into this if your home is currently without. It will also come in handy to have this knowledge when looking around properties to buy.

Consider fitting something like the Cooper & Hunter MIA Series, Mini Split Air Conditioner and Heater from Amazon which is ductless meaning less disruption during installation.

9. Noise and lack of privacy

While you can't pick your home up and move it, it is worth bearing this next one in mind to see if there is anything you can do to help attract potential buyers.

'Homes located near busy roads, airports or noisy neighbors can be less attractive,' points out Margy DeFazio. 'Lack of privacy, especially in outdoor spaces, can also be a concern.'

Take a look around at ways you can increase the privacy of your home and in your backyard – could your garden fence ideas be upgraded to provide more privacy? High hedging and fast-growing plants are all brilliant ideas, as are patio privacy ideas, and garden screens.

If passers by tend to peer into your front windows, up your front yard privacy with shutter ideas that will keep out prying eyes at the same time as allowing in natural light. We love these Bali Custom Composite Shutters from Lowes as they can be fitted on a DIY basis.

10. Awkward layouts and wasted space

Before inviting prospective buyers into your home to view have a good look around at how you are using the space. If there are dark corners and areas of space that seem wasted, address these and make them look more usable – even looking into the best ways of lighting a dark room and zoning your interior design will make a world of difference.

'Awkward room arrangements or inefficient floor plans can be a major deterrent,' warns Margy DeFazio. 'Buyers typically look for functional and practical spaces that suit their lifestyle.

'This is where staging can really make an unexpectedly large impact on a potential buyer's impression of a home,' continues Margy. 'Showing how an odd or awkward space can be utilized as a quiet reading nook or exercise studio can go a long way in selling a home.'

FAQs

What small changes can help sell a house?

You'll be pleased to hear that there are lots of little updates you can make before selling your home that will instantly make it more appealing to buyers and that might just mean the difference between them choosing to buy your home or another. Do take the time to look into the outdated features stopping you from selling your home.

'It's worth noting that 23% of buyers' agents polled by NAR said that home staging makes their clients more likely to overlook other property faults,' points out Chrysti Peek. 'They need to feel the value of living there in order to accept the cost of being the next owner.'

'A lot of sellers overlook the fact that deal breakers aren't necessarily red flags, it's just expense,' continues Chrysti. 'Repainting the 90's maroon walls, swapping out the Formica countertop and replacing the gnarly carpet also go a long way.

Chrysti Peek

Chrysti Peek is a Durham, North Carolina real estate expert with a passion for educating both her clients and the community on the local market and homeownership strategies.

There is no denying that selling your home and moving is incredibly stressful but the outcome is usually well worth all that waiting and effort. Our moving house checklist should help the whole process run a little smoother.