Messy bedrooms 'hit house prices'

By Press Association , Aug 23, 2012
Filed under: House Prices

A messy child's bedroom can knock thousands of pounds off the price of a house, a new study has suggested.

A survey of more than 1,000 adults by mortgage provider ING Direct found that two out of five prospective buyers would be put off a property if it had an untidy boy's or girl's bedroom.

Property

Many said they would use it as an excuse to negotiate a lower price for a house.

Traces of pets, smelly bathrooms, overgrown lawns and grubby kitchens also had an impact on buyers' impressions of a house, said the report.

Property

ING Direct chief executive Richard Doe said: "Parents aiming to sell their home should bear in mind the impact an untidy kid's room could have on any offers.

"Even if the mess doesn't completely dissuade a buyer, it seems that it certainly impacts on the price they'd be willing to pay - so kids keeping their rooms spic and span could really pay off."

Factors damaging property value

Repossessions
 Pre-recession, homeowners would give little thought to the idea that local repossessions could affect the value of their home. 101 repossessions were recorded every day during the third quarter of 2011 and it has become a real concern.
Crime
 A new crime map introduced in March 2011 was welcomed by buyers, but approached with trepidation by homeowners concerned about the impact on local property values. The map allows users to view crime statistics online by postcode to find out the crime rates and types of crime in any area.
Local closures
 It is widely recognized that schools with a good reputation increase competition and property demand within a local area, which in turn increases the values of property within the catchment area. Lose the school and the demand will cease too.
Flood risk
 The devastation caused by flooding in recent years doesn't appear to paint a positive picture for homeowners faced with the financial and emotion cost of a huge clean up, insurance complications and the potential damaging effect on property values.
Transport
 The proposed high speed rail link is depressing house prices for thousands of homeowners on the route and many homeowners feel helpless to stop tumbling property values.

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makalhaxx45

People will use any excuse to lower the price ..... The mess in a childs bedroom wont be there when they move in ! Most people wont like the decor but most will redecorate anyway . Especially at the current time it can take ages to sell a house and if you have children no-one should expect a house to be immaculate all the time .

August 23 2012 at 6:22 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply

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sdowling1277

Some people just cant see past the mess. Wouldnt you expect a seller to tidy up the mess before a viewing? after all, it would be in their own interest.

August 23 2012 at 9:23 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply