Brits have revealed their biggest property turn offs – with dark and small areas, overgrown gardens and dirty trainers left lying around among the worst.
Research of 2,000 adults revealed a listing which doesn’t have enough photos and no video content is also likely to put off potential buyers.
Not having a floorplan, rooms decorated in garish colours and having dirty clothes on show are other no-nos when selling a property.
But making rooms look light and airy, presenting them well and having a good clean will make a home more attractive to those looking to buy.
The study, commissioned by technology-led estate agent Purplebricks, also found that in the age of virtual viewings, one in six even believe if a property ticked the boxes, they’d be willing to put in an offer without setting foot in the door.
And more than a third of homeowners expect virtual viewings to become the norm when house hunting.
Angela Wallace from Purplebricks, said: “The current pandemic has thrown up many new challenges for buyers and sellers across the UK.
“But this has heralded a new era of virtual house hunting and homeowners are quickly adopting this new way of buying and selling homes.
“Buyers are enjoying the speed and ease of doing viewings from the comfort of their own sofa, and sellers have welcomed a new way to show off their property - so it’s more important than ever to make a great virtual first impression.”
It also emerged one in six adults have been put off a property when seeing the toilet seat being left up, according to the research via OnePoll.
However, it’s all in the detail for nearly one in five, who are thrilled when they find an extensive floor plan of the property available.
Selling the house from the exterior was also important to 19 per cent, who want to see a home looking smart from the outside as well as inside.
Purplebricks has worked with interior expert Kate Watson Smyth to provide tips on how to make your house look appealing online.
She said: “There are a number of practical things you can do to make a great first impression, but the hardest part of showing your home virtually is giving people that feeling or vibe you get when you step into a house.
“While you can’t delight them with the smell of freshly baked bread or coffee brewing as they walk in the door, there are some clever tricks you can do.
“Place fresh flowers to brighten up a room, make sure all of the rooms are clean and tidy, show off any storage space, pull back the curtains to let in the light, and stage the rooms to encourage buyers to see themselves in the home with their family and friends.”
TOP 10 HOUSE HUNTING TURN ONS
1. Rooms looking light and airy
2. Well-presented and well-dressed rooms
3. The home looks sparkling clean
4. The property is smart on the outside
5. An extensive floor plan
6. Keeping any mess out of photos
7. A video of the house
8. Making virtual viewing available online
9. The home looking unique in style choices
10. Bold, coloured front door
TOP 10 HOUSE HUNTING TURN OFFS
1. Areas that look dark and small
2. Overgrown, disused garden spaces
3. Not enough photos
4. No floorplan available
5. Rooms made to look bigger than they are
6. Garish indoor colours
7. Dirty windows
8. Clothes and washing left on show
9. Dirty old trainers and shoes in photos
10. No video content
KATE WATSON SMYTH’S VIRTUAL HOME VIEWING STYLING TOP TIPS
1. First impressions still count: Online viewings start from your hallway, so make sure the tidiness sets the tone for your home - no piles of coats, bags and shoes spilling out.
2. Social media savvy: Make sure there’s a full 360 pan of each room so they can see the corners and understand the space and know that you aren’t hiding a broken window or a pile of laundry.
3. Acknowledge problem areas: If you have a small dark room then dress it to be cosy and inviting and show how you use it – e.g. as a kid’s TV room, a home office, or a guest room.
4. Clean the windows: you want your home to appear light, bright and well-cared for. While this may not actually show on camera, it will add to a general sense of cleanliness and a cared for space.
5. Tidy up the obvious things first: make sure the pictures are straight on the walls, the cushions are plumped and the curtains fully pulled back (this lets in more light).
6. A bit of routine maintenance helps achieve a house sale: make sure all the handles are present and fixed on, touch up any scuffed skirting boards and paintwork.
7. The sitting room: While virtual viewers may not be able to smell fresh flowers, they still look pretty. Make sure any big leaves are shiny and remove any brown or droopy leaves.
8. The kitchen: Storage is key in this room. Make sure at least one cupboard is tidy (and open it to show viewers). Declutter the worktops so keen cooks can see there is plenty of prep and storage space.
