Fifteen things that reduces your home value

If people are putting up their house for sale in Spain, they expect it to sell at some minimum value. However, it gets a lot of times far below their expectations because a host of factors are working against the property and pulling down its value. What's sad is that most of these are completely avoidable and can even enhance its value if given due consideration.

If you are planning to sell your property in Spain early at any time, it is imperative that you know the factors that decrease the value of the property and weed it out before it is placed on the market.

1. Insufficient parking space

Buyers want parking free of hassles. Lack of adequate parking space – particularly in cities of tier I and tier II – is a major negative.

2. Poor floor plan

Small rooms and bathrooms or rooms with no attached bathrooms or a layout that allows one to enter rooms and bathrooms from other rooms would likely decrease your home's value.

3. Large-scale renovation needed

In general, buyers want houses ready to move in. When there is a lot of need-do's needed before they can even turn in, many buyers will get frustrated and steer clear of any contract. The few who would move in would settle for a very reduced price only.

4. Bad place and conditions of local area

Whether your home is surrounded by highways or has intimidating views, or if it is located in the vicinity of an airport or there are train tracks hard by , or if it is closer to the wilderness than to town, the price would be lower. Also, a nearby power plant or mobile tower would likely have a negative effect on your home's value.

5. Poorly maintained property

It reveals how uncared a house is for. Poorly maintained homes have little to recommend, and slash a considerable amount out of the value of your home.

• Rough ceilings

Cracked and neglected ceilings are showing badly on your house, and may reduce the value of your home by a few thousand.

• Peeling Paint, Flashy Decor and Loud

Getting a whole house re-painted is a cost that not many home buyers want to incur immediately after they move in. Therefore peeling paint and loud, flashy colors can dampen your house 's value severely.

• Bad Flooring

Cracked, dull or grim floors can make a big contribution to reducing your house 's value. As re-surfacing or cleaning of floors would have an effect on the wallet of your client, he will most likely compensate for it by deducting the amount from the price he has to pay you.

• An unpleasant or uncomfortable kitchen

An overpersonalized kitchen or one with worn out cabinets or stained sink could dampen your home's value.

• A Bad washrooms

A bathroom that lacks aesthetics will put off lots of potential buyers. If your bathroom has a leaky faucet or an obsolete toilet or is not quite appealing to the eye otherwise, it will deplete a substantial chunk of the worth of your house.

6. Lots of Houses on the Market

The housing market is prone to changes. Lots of decently priced homes come up for sale when there's a slowdown. If your home is out for sale like most other properties and doesn't boast any special characteristics, its value will go down.

7. Disagreeable Neighbors

If you have a dispute over say, property line with your neighbor, it will likely be passed on to the new house-owner. This can have a serious impact on the odds of a good sale — or any sale! And if you can manage a client, you have to let go of a large sum of money to close a contract.

8. Gloomy interiors

Is your home cluttered with personal possessions? Is it too personalized on the walls with lots of family pictures? Is it dark or dimly lit? If your answer is yes, be prepared to settle for a number that is less than the amount you ask for.

9. Lack of Reputed Schools

If your neighborhood doesn't boast prominent schools, your house's worth will suffer. People with school-going children are opting for locations that have close proximity to reputed schools. Many buyers who are aware of the impact schools may have on the value of the property can also consider the aspect before investing.

10. Outmoded Appliances and Assemblies

Outmoded appliances and fixed gadgets needing repair can be a house out for sale nemesis. For example, dilapidated electrical wiring and worn out geysers may cause many prospective buyers to steer clear of your house.

11. Unkempt gardens / Lawns

If you're in poor condition with an unkempt garden or a lawn, you can expect your home to be considerably lower than it would otherwise be. Because maintaining the garden will require extra cost for the customer, he is likely to change it in the sum he pays you.

12. Plumbing Issues

Bad plumbing can significantly diminish your house 's value. A leaky tap or a leaky pipe is enough reason to decrease its value. Plumbing problems can result in damp and mould in the house if left unattended which can make it very difficult to sell.

13. Small Curb Order

If your house does not look nice or outwardly welcoming, its worth can be adversely affected. If the exterior is shoddy and disgusting to the eye, many prospective buyers may not even want to look inside.

14.Low Score on Walk

If necessary amenities are not within walking distance, there will be a significantly lower price for your home than a comparable property with a good walk score.

15.Unsound Foundation

The most crucial and costly part of any home is the foundation it stands on. If there are foundation problems (evident in the form of major cracks and crevices on the construction), the value of your home will be diminished significantly.