Just like the features that can increase the value of your home, there’s a laundry list of
factors that can decrease the value as well. It’s equally important to think about what
can negatively impact your home’s value as those that can increase it.
Here’s are a few often overlooked features that may negatively impact the value of your
home:
Smoking Indoors
Certainly everyone is entitled to utilize their home according to their lifestyle, however, if
there’s a lingering smell of smoke, that could negatively affect the value. Smoke seeps
into furniture, carpet, and draperies and often is extremely difficult to permanently get rid of.
Odors
Many people become “nose blind” to odors in their own dwelling. As previously mentioned smoke is a big factor but other
odors can be a problem. Pets are usually the biggest factor.
Higher Than Average Crime Rates
When was the last time you checked the crime rates in your area? If you’ve never checked or haven’t done so lately, you
can find them at crimereports.com. Be sure to compare your neighborhood to surrounding neighborhoods to see how the
rates vary. If you’re in an area with high crime rates, that can definitely decrease the value of your home.
Extreme Renovations
We all love personalizing our living spaces to our exact tastes, however, when remodels and upgrades are only pleasing to
a small percentage of people, this can be a big disadvantage when it comes to your home’s value. Try to look at your
home through the eyes of the average consumer – are there any colors or extreme styles that might turn someone off? If
so, and they’re relatively easy to fix, consider doing so before listing your home.
High Maintenance Yards
The yard is often times the first thing potential buyers notice about your home. If the landscaping hasn’t been taken care
of it can look like an overwhelming amount of work to a prospective buyer and they’ll likely take that first impression with
them through the rest of the home. If you have a high maintenance yard, make sure it’s well taken care of before
showings.
Surrounding Homes Condition
The condition of your neighbor’s homes can unfortunately impact the value of yours. When appraisers come around to
determine a value for your home, they take notice of what the surrounding homes look like. If there are heaps of garbage
strewn about your neighbor’s homes or obvious maintenance problems that haven’t been taken care of, that can
potentially have a negative impact on the value of your home – regardless of how well you’ve kept it.