A Poor Property First Impression Will See 93% Of Buyers Cut The Price They’re Willing To Pay

The latest research by eXp UK, the platform for personal estate agents & estate agency businesses, has revealed that when it comes to curb appeal, a poorly kept garden and nuisance neighbours are two biggest things that can create a negative first impression, with almost a third of buyers prepared to leave before even viewing the rest of your home.

The survey of 1,010 current UK homebuyers, commissioned by the company, as just what factors play the biggest role when it comes to making a bad first impression and curbing the curb appeal of your home.

The results show that two things top the table when it comes to a bad first impression amongst buyers. An overgrown or poorly maintained garden just edges it as the biggest factor that can impact curb appeal (26%), with noisy or nuisance neighbours coming a close second (25%).

A dated exterior was the third biggest factor when it comes to influencing buyer impressions (17%), followed by shabby windows and window frames (14%) and disused vehicles blocking the driveway (13%).

A worse for wear front door (3%), garage (1%) or blocked gutters (1%) were less of a deterrent.

But what could it mean for the sale of your home should it fail to make that all important positive first impression?

Well, the company found that as many as 29% of buyers would be prepared to turn around and walk away from a poorly presented property without even viewing the rest of the home first.

Even if they do make it through the front door, 70% stated that a bad first impression would negatively influence their thoughts and feelings when viewing the rest of the property.

Perhaps most significantly, a notable 93% of buyers would reduce the offer they are willing to make if your home has a poorly kept exterior.

Head of eXp UK, Adam Day, commented:
“We all know that first impressions are important when selling a home and the front of your property is the first thing that will influence a buyer's perception of your property.

"Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do if you have a nightmare neighbour, however, other factors such as an overgrown garden can be easily rectified with a little elbow grease.

"Buyers are less concerned about small tasks such as cleaning gutters or a quick lick of paint on a front door, but other core features that require more work, such as new windows or a fresh render, can act as a more significant deterrent.”

So if you are preparing your home for market it not only pays to invest in its curb appeal, but it also pays to know where and how to give your home a springtime spruce up.

Failing to do so could see you not only reduce the level of buyer interest in your property but also achieve a lower sold price when you do manage to secure one.”

View the full data tables and sources here