You may say that the house you are selling boasts many amenities that can easily draw buyers into it, but Realtor Mag says some of these amenities that are often viewed as favorites by owners, may actually make the home more difficult to sell. Jamie Wiebe listed in her article posted on Realtor, the real estate professionals' official website, some design and architectural details which might actually hold back the house from being purchased.
1. An adjacent school
If you have young kids attending school, then this might be a breeze, but for others, the traffic and the sight of children wandering through the streets, plus the noise from the playground, may not be a pleasant experience, especially when you work or would want to rest at home.
2. Center of all activities
While many would love to have restaurants, bars and other commercial establishments just a few steps away from home, not all homebuyers love to live near busy streets.
"Homes that are on busy streets command less value than interior homes," says Bob Ripp, a real estate appraiser in Fort Collins, CO.
3. A multi- storey home
A home, with its grand staircases leading into the foyer may be so romantic, but when it comes to selling, this two-storey home might bring you a challenge, especially if you have older buyers who can't go up and down the stairs and the master bedroom is not on the first floor.
"In general, one-storey ranch homes are highly sought after in certain age groups such as baby boomers or seniors," added Ripp.
4. A swimming pool
If you live in a mild or cold climate, don't expect this amenity to help you when you decide to put your home on the market.
Ripp says pools can detract buyers such as when it requires significant maintenance compared with the amount of year it is usable. It can't add that much value, and the only return it gives is fun, not money.
5. Fancy renovations
If your neighborhood does not offer features such as high-end granite countertops or an elaborately landscaped yard, then over the top renovations might not help. If the home's features are high-end, then you might just be pricing the property out of the market.
"People do over improve, and there can be consequences to that," said Ripp.
6. Over or under sized backyard
The size of the back yard can be a significant factor. You may love your spacious lawn and garden, but some buyers might get discouraged with the upkeep.
"Some people actually don't want any maintenance and prefer to have a very small yard. Others want a yard for their kids or want privacy," says Realtor® Amy Cook in San Diego. But both big and small backyards have their downsides. Lawns that are small without any kind of barrier to provide seclusion may not be easy to sell also.
7. Tile flooring
Since tiles are one of the most difficult flooring types to remove, prospective buyers may be dismayed to find them, especially the basic white, dated tiles.
"Tile is very difficult and expensive to change, and often what owners choose just isn't very attractive," explains Cook.
