- Bessie Hassan
- Head of PR & Money Expert
- finder.com.au
- +61 402 567 568
- Bessie.Hassan@finder.com.au
Media Release
Aussies spill the beans on their top property turn-offs
- 64% of Aussies turned off by asbestos and a neighbourhood's crime rate
- Turn-offs can sometimes shave thousands off a property
- How to get your home looking real-estate ready
30 July, 2019, Sydney, Australia – Aussie homeowners should be wary of common property turn-offs before putting their house on the market, according to Finder, Australia's most visited comparison site.
Finder surveyed 1,013 Australians about their number one turn-off when looking to purchase a home.
Asbestos and a suburb's crime rate topped the list, with 64% of Aussies admitting they'd reject a home if it had been built using the potentially harmful material.
Nearly two in three (64%) Aussies would avoid buying in a suburb with a high crime rate, while 61% would rule out purchasing a smelly property.
Bessie Hassan, money expert at Finder, said these turn-offs can sometimes shave thousands off the value of a home.
"Buyers can nab a bargain if they're prepared to think outside the box when coming up with solutions to property bugbears.
"There's nothing you can do about living on a main road, but installing high fencing or soundproofing can work wonders. A lack of parking can also be supplemented with a rented garage or parking space."
More than half (55%) of the respondents would refuse to live near a noisy bar or pub, or in a location with bad parking.
Living in close proximity to an industrial estate, main road, flight path or brothel also made the list of turn-offs.
Despite the potential for savings, Hassan also urged prospective buyers to be realistic.
"Sometimes there's only so much you can do to improve a property. If you can't think of a reasonable way to fix it, then it's best to keep looking.
"It's a good idea to seek out pre-approval before you start hunting around. That way when the perfect house does turn up, you'll be ready."
Top 15 property turn-offs for Australians
| Rank | Turn-off | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | House with asbestos in the walls/ceilings | 64% |
| 1 | Above average crime rate of suburb | 64% |
| 3 | Bad smells (pets, cigarettes, dampness) | 61% |
| 4 | Located near a noisy pub/bar | 55% |
| 4 | No parking | 55% |
| 6 | Located in an industrial area | 54% |
| 7 | Close to a major road/highway | 52% |
| 8 | Being on the flight path | 51% |
| 9 | Located near a brothel | 49% |
| 10 | Lack of natural light | 46% |
| 11 | Bad broadband connection | 44% |
| 12 | Near housing commission | 39% |
| 13 | Near a cemetery | 34% |
| 14 | Being too far from my family | 30% |
| 15 | Deceased estate | 18% |
Source: Finder
How to get your home looking real-estate ready
- Replace the carpets. These absorb years of dirt, stains and general grime which can start to smell and look shabby over time.
- Spruce up the halls with a fresh coat of paint. Not only will this hide dirt and scuff marks, a lighter colour can transform a dingy space.
- Get your green thumb on. Despite not making the list, having a scraggly and unkempt garden can also be off-putting for potential buyers. Mow the lawn, pull out any weeds and clear leaf matter out of the gutters.
- Use a high pressure hose. For houses made of brick, this is a simple yet effective way to get rid of any dirt or moss that has built up over the years.
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For further information
- Bessie Hassan
- Head of PR & Money Expert
- finder.com.au
- +61 402 567 568
- Bessie.Hassan@finder.com.au
Disclaimer
The information in this release is accurate as of the date published, but rates, fees and other product features may have changed. Please see updated product information on finder.com.au's review pages for the current correct values.
About Finder
Every month 2.6 million unique visitors turn to Finder to save money and time, and to make important life choices. We compare virtually everything from credit cards, phone plans, health insurance, travel deals and much more.
Our free service is 100% independently-owned by three Australians: Fred Schebesta, Frank Restuccia and Jeremy Cabral. Since launching in 2006, Finder has helped Aussies find what they need from 1,800+ brands across 100+ categories.
We continue to expand and launch around the globe, and now have offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Poland and the Philippines. For further information visit www.finder.com.au.
12.6 million average unique monthly audience (June- September 2019), Nielsen Digital Panel