3 home features that could devalue your property by 20% and 'make buyers run away'

3 home features that could devalue your property by 20% and 'make buyers run away' If you're planning to sell your home, certain features could be hurting your property value and putting buyers off making an offer – including ugly wallpaper, pebbledash and a bathroom without a bath Homeowners looking to sell up are naturally keen to get the best possible price, but certain surprising features could be quietly knocking down your home's value. You'll never tick every box on every buyer's wishlist, but appealing to the widest audience is crucial — focus on reducing the hassle factor for potential buyers and concentrate on the smaller jobs that make the biggest difference. Hammonds Furniture has pinpointed aspects of a property that could wipe up to 20% — or an average of £59,330 — off its market value, based on the current average house price of £298,806, according to the Halifax House Price Index. Kirsty Oakes, head of product and marketing at Hammonds Furniture, said: "We all have something in mind when we begin a search for our next home, but there are certain features that for many people could be an absolute dealbreaker. However, some of these features are surprisingly quick and simple to amend if you are looking to sell your house." Ugly wallpaper Research carried out by Hammonds Furniture revealed that a quarter of people would be deterred from purchasing a home, or would lower their offer, if it featured what they considered "ugly" wallpaper. While you could definitely strip the wallpaper yourself and redecorate to your taste, this finding was quite surprising. So, if you're planning to put your property on the market, it may well be worth stripping any divisive wallpaper and opting for neutral tones instead. Pebbledash Pebbledash, a trend that reached its height in the 1920s, can serve a useful purpose as it protects the building from severe weather conditions and boasts exceptional longevity. However, at least a quarter of people simply "aren't fans of its aesthetic and will make potential buyers run away". Getting rid of pebbledash can prove tricky, though it can be covered with plaster. If you're putting your property on the market, applying a fresh layer of paint to the pebbledash can help disguise its look, broadening its appeal to prospective buyers - just ensure you use spray paint, as rollers and brushes aren't up to the task. Bathrooms without a bath As the name suggests, a bathroom typically revolves around a bathtub, with traditional bathrooms still showcasing a freestanding bath as their centrepiece. Despite most people no longer enjoying morning and evening soaks, the bathtub remains firmly established as an key part of the bathroom. One that many homeowners will never want to do without, at least for the odd treat when they fancy it. Considering nearly a third of people would have similar concerns about an inadequate shower, it's evident that bathing amenities are really important to buyers.