Top News

Home feature that turns off buyers and 'devalues your property by 20%'
Reach Daily Express | May 7, 2026 9:39 PM CST

Whether you're planning to sell your property or simply want to know what it's worth, obtaining an estate agent valuation will prove invaluable. An estate agent's assessment of a property considers both its advantages and drawbacks to determine an accurate price.

While it's straightforward to showcase the aspects you love about your home, have you thought about what could put off prospective buyers and reduce its value? Property expert Danny Johnson from Danny Buys Houses has revealed details about factors that can diminish a property's worth. He said: "After having bought and sold hundreds of houses, I found the following to devalue a house in most people's opinion."

Outdated windows

Nobody wants to live in a draughty home or one that struggles to retain heat. Poor-quality windows are a major factor in determining a property's value.

This is because insufficient windows will inevitably need replacing. Buyers generally expect double-glazed windows as standard in their new properties.

Danny suggested that outdated windows could result in a drop in house value by approximately five to 10%.

Ugly bricks

According to the expert, numerous older properties from the 60s and 70s feature "horrible brick colours" which can immediately put buyers off.

Danny stated, "This quickly turns off a lot of buyers and can devalue a house by as much as 10%."

The most significant decreases in property value arise from poor DIY work. While DIY can be an economical approach to home improvements, it must be done correctly. Shoddy workmanship, inferior paintwork and unauthorised modifications can send prospective buyers "running for the hills" and are an "immediate turn-off".

Danny cautioned that these "bad additions" could "quickly devalue the home by as much as 20%".

It's worth splashing out on professional decorators, builders and home renovation experts if you're looking to boost your property's value.

Outdated carpets

The vast majority of modern homes favour hardwood flooring over carpet, and there is sound reasoning behind this design choice.

Danny explained: "Having outdated carpet reduces the value of a house by 5% or more, depending on how much of the house has it."

Bedroom accessibility

Bedrooms that are only accessible through other bedrooms can prove a significant deterrent for prospective buyers.

The property expert stated: "This negatively impacts the house in the same way as having one less bedroom would."


READ NEXT
Cancel OK