Yahoo Finance 
20 of the biggest property turn-offs
Damp stains, bad smells and an unkempt appearance have been revealed as the biggest turn-offs for potential property buyers.
A new survey from GoCompare home insurance reveals evidence of damp would deter a potential buyer from putting in an offer on a home.
A home that lacks modern features is also a turn off, as just under a quarter (24 per cent) said they would be put off by an outdated kitchen; 22 per cent by a dated bathroom; 14 per cent by outdated or over the top décor, and 14 per cent by carpets.
Poor maintenance is also a red flag; with 46 per cent revealing they would be put off by a dirty property; 31 per cent by broken or rotten boundary walls or fences; 17 per cent by an overgrown garden and 15 per cent by cluttered rooms.
See the top 20 below:
1. Damp stains on walls and ceilings – 69 per cent
2. Bad smells (e.g. damp, food, cigarettes, pets, etc.) – 63 per cent
3. Property in poor state of repair (rotten window frames, peeling paintwork, etc.) – 59 per cent
4. No parking – 56 per cent
5. Broadband blackspot – 53 per cent
6. Unfinished building work – 53 per cent
7. No garden – 52 per cent
8. Property not connected to mains gas – 51 per cent
9. Rubbish strewn in neighbouring gardens – 48 per cent
10. A dirty house – 46 per cent
11. Outdated electricals/wiring – 46 per cent
12. Poor natural light/dark rooms – 43 per cent
13. Dilapidated neighbouring property – 43 per cent
14. Proximity to major road or motorway – 43 per cent
15. Small room sizes – 40 per cent
16. Small kitchen – 39 per cent
17. Bad DIY – 38 per cent
18. Student let next door – 37 per cent
19. Old boiler or central heating system – 37 per cent
20. Stone cladding, render or pebble dash on exterior walls – 31 per cent
'Buying a home is a major investment and most people are put off by outdated properties or those in a poor state of repair,' said Ben Wilson, GoCompare’s home insurance spokesperson. 'While dated décor can be remedied easily and relatively cheaply, major flaws from poor maintenance or badly botched DIY can be expensive to put right. In particular, if a property shows evidence of damp – whether it’s a stain or mouldy smell – it’s a warning sign, which depending on the cause, could be costly to repair.
Ben suggests that, although difficult, house hunters should try to not be too picky when it comes to finding their dream property.
'Anyone who’s bought a home will know it’s almost impossible to find the perfect property,' he said. 'Unless you design and build your own home, there’ll always be compromises to be made.
'While there are many design aspects of a property, such as the decor, which can be altered to suit individual tastes, there are others which can’t be or are harder or more expensive to change. For example, its location, whether it’s in a broadband blackspot, isn’t connected to mains gas or sewerage or, is close to a major road or motorway. So, when viewing a potential new home try to look past its aesthetic flaws and focus on the bigger issues.'
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