12 reasons why your home might sell for less than you expect
12. Outdated kitchen cabinets
Average value this subtracts from a home: $2,100
"The kitchen is really a main focal point in the house," De Jong says. So, anything you do there could bring a nice value increase.
When it comes to cabinets, she suggests making them look as updated as possible. "Depending on what kind of shape the kitchen is currently in, you may be able to easily refinish them or just replace the doors," she says.
11. A sloped driveway
Average value this subtracts from a home: $2,400
Those short, slanted driveways in hilly, urban areas could be a problem. "We're talking about those really steep ones that you feel like you have to have an SUV to drive up," de Jong says.
There's not much a seller can do to remedy it, but de Jong adds that sellers should set their price expectations accordingly. "Look at other home sales in the area and compare them," she says.
10. Lack of landscaping
Average value this detracts from a home: $2,600
In the front yard, having little to no landscaping could be detrimental to a house's curb appeal. And in the back yard, it just makes the space look less appealing.
"You don't want the grass to have dead patches," says de Jong. "We want there to be bright, colorful, pretty flowers that are inviting."
In today's online real estate market, making your home look good in photos is critical, and landscaping is an important element to that. "Nowadays, that's the real first impression that people have," says de Jong. "They're already forming a relationship with photos of a listed home before even considering going to the house. You definitely want to put the best foot forward."
9. Power lines near the home
Average value this subtracts from a home: $2,700
"If you have power lines going across a backyard or have the actual pole in the yard, people don't like it," says de Jong. "They're worried about their health and they have a constant buzzing sound that be a bit irritating."
But she says power lines can be more of a deterrent in some areas than others. "If you live in a city that's just full of power lines, it's probably not going to be a big deal to people who are just used to it. But especially in the suburbs, comparing one home to the other, if there are two homes that look pretty similar but one has power lines in the backyard, that's gonna be a big deterrent," says de Jong.
And while this is another issue that can't truly be fixed, it is one that she says is worth pricing accordingly for.
8. Low-quality cabinetry
Average value this subtracts from a home: $3,000
Like the mention of outdated kitchen cabinets earlier, low-quality cabinetry is another reason potential buyers might find fault with your home's kitchen.
De Jong suggests evaluating what shape the kitchen is in, and deciding your budget for repairs, or the appropriate adjustement to your expectations. "It depends on what state the kitchen is in," says de Jong. "It may be a big overhaul job."
7. The house is on busy street, or on a corner
Average value this subtracts from a home: $3,800
It seems like it would be convenient to live in the middle everything. But, De Jong says this can actually be a detractor to your house's value.
"A busy street is going to deter people who have families," says de Jong. "If it's difficult to pull into your driveway, that's something that's pretty noticeable to a home buyer right away. And with homes that are on a corner, it may also mean less privacy."
And while a quiet location may be non-negotiable for families with children or who like the quiet, there are some things to do to curb the privacy concerns. De Jong suggests investing in a few good sets of curtains while you're selling, or even planting some hedges near the house to make a small barrier.
6. Carpet in the master bedroom
Average value this subtracts from a home: $3,800
"Carpet is just not in style anymore," says de Jong. "It's always had a bad rap because everybody just thinks about the germs that are sitting in it. Especially when it gets worn in, it can make a house feel dingy."
And that's not a feeling anyone wants in their home's new master bedroom.
De Jong suggests taking on the cost of swapping it out. "There are plenty of inexpensive options out there," she says. "There might be hardwood floors underneath those carpets that can just be refinished — that's really appealing to buyers," she adds.
5. Carpet as the main flooring type
Average value this subtracts from a home: $3,900
It's not just the bedroom where people don't want to see carpeting — it's the same all through house. If your main flooring type is carpeting, it might be worth swapping it out before putting your home on the market.
4. Outdated kitchen countertops
Average value this subtracts from a home: $4,600
Another big ding against a kitchen is the countertops. Formica or tile countertops could be a good idea to replace. "Tastes have gotten better, and we like things that feel a little bit more quality. Formica just tends to feel cheap and plastic-y," says de Jong.
And this might be the only thing your kitchen needs, too. "If your kitchen looks pretty modern, just replacing the countertops can instantly transform it to look really sleek," she says.
3. Unsightly neighbors
Average value this subtracts from a home: $5,200
You may keep your home pristine, but your neighbors could also be affecting your home value.
"It makes the neighborhood look a little less safe," de Jong says. With this issue, there aren't many options. It might be more about pricing accordingly, and considering that when choosing your next home.
2. A sloped backyard
Average value this subtracts from a home: $7,000
If your backyard isn't level, it could really affect your home's value. "You're kind of at a loss for actually being able to use that space if you can't put a barbecue and some furniture out there," says de Jong.
1. Commercial neighbors
Average value this subtracts from a home: $9,600
While the industrial style might be in at the moment, having actual industrial neighbors isn't so much.
"Location is the most important thing in real estate," says de Jong. "People want to buy a home that is in a nice neighborhood that feels safe, and is maybe within walking distance of a park and coffee shops and restaurants and all that good stuff."
"If you're the odd man out in a commercial neighborhood, there's not really much to do," she adds.
It's not something that's possible to change, but it should be something you price for. "It doesn't have that cozy homey feeling that people want when they come home at the end of the day," says de Jong.
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