These Are the Biggest Deal-Breakers for Buyers

Most buyers have lists of “must haves” and “nice to haves” that they use when evaluating a property, which help them determine whether a home has the features they want and need.

But many buyers also have a list of things that would make them walk away from a home, no questions asked—or, in other words, a list of “deal-breakers.”

So the question is, in today’s market, what, exactly, are the non-negotiables that would make buyers walk away from a property? According to a recent study from HomeAdvisor, some of the biggest deal-breakers for homebuyers include:

  • Exterior issues. For many buyers, if there are major issues with a home’s exterior, it’s a no-go. According to the study, nearly half of homebuyers surveyed (49 percent) said the exterior issues, like bad siding or loose bricks, were a deal-breaker.
  • Too many repairs. Many homebuyers are looking for a move-in ready home—and if a home is more of a fixer-upper? It’s a pass. 46 percent of homebuyers listed “too many repairs” as a deal-breaker.
  • Issues with the foundation. There are plenty of buyers out there that will say “no thank you” to buying a home with foundation issues. 43 percent of homebuyers said that noticeable flaws in a home’s foundation were a deal-breaker—and would make them pass on a home.

The Takeaway:

If you’re planning on selling your home, it’s important to know what qualifies as a deal-breaker for buyers; that way, you can address any potential deal-breakers before you list your property—and increase your chances of selling your home quickly and profitably.