This is why your home won’t sell

Quoting Nick Cunningham, Rachel Johnston, Clare Coode, Ed Jephson of Stacks Property Finders

Decking

Nick Cunningham of Stacks Property Search warns: ‘Unless it’s obviously part of a design scheme and beautifully installed, decking can be viewed as a cheap and lazy option – think quick home transformation TV shows.’

If you have decking and don’t want to scrap it, make sure it doesn’t show its age through insect damage, rotting boards, or exposed screws becoming trip hazards; a thorough re-sealing and re-painting will boost appearances.

Smelly homes

‘Buyers use all their senses and smelly houses are a hard sell,’ says Rachel Johnston of Stacks Property Search. ‘Some are an easy fix – for instance niffy teenage bedrooms and bathrooms, or pet and cooking odours, but they can still lead to bad impressions. But other smells are more damaging when it comes to selling; proximity to pungent farms, or an underlying smell of damp.’

And what buyers love:

Open fires

‘An open fire is essential in a period house,’ says Clare Coode, regional director of Stacks Property Search agency. ‘I saw a beautiful country house that took four years to sell, chiefly because there was no fireplace in any reception room. A period house without a fireplace is like a summer’s day without sunshine.’

Big windows

‘Light sells,’ according to Clare Coode. ‘Big windows with a view are always a winner, as are window seats, conservatories and roof lights.’

Energy efficiency

This is measured by the rating on the Energy Performance Certificate that’s displayed when your home goes on sale. A is the best, G the worst.

Ed Jephson of Stacks Property Search says: ‘When EPCs were first introduced, they felt like just another box to tick with little real value. However, as awareness around energy efficiency, environmental impact and rising energy costs grew, ratings have become a key consideration for buyers.

‘A bad EPC can be a big turn-off for buyers, especially those who aren’t planning any renovations. A bad EPC on a property that requires modernisation is something that may be tolerated; but on a property that is beautifully finished and ready to move into, it’s a big headache as retrofitting is costly.