8 Home Mistakes That Could Reduce Your Property Value
You may want to think twice about those privacy hedges.
As someone hoping to sell my home in the near future, I’ve been trying to make sure it’s in the best possible shape for potential buyers. But after dealing with a minor flood from an aging dishwasher, along with cracked baseboards and peeling paint, I started wondering which home issues buyers notice most, and which ones could affect what they're willing to pay.
Putting off small maintenance tasks over the years hasn’t just affected me as a homeowner—it could also hurt me as a seller. To find out what else can bring down a home’s value, I spoke to several realtors, brokers, and real estate firm owners about the home mistakes that can hurt buyer interest. Keep reading to learn what to avoid.
Delaying routine maintenance
Not fixing an aging HVAC system, clogged drains, or minor leaks could come back to bite you when you decide to sell. “If it's more than 10 years old, make sure it has been thoroughly serviced and is operating properly,” says Jake Kennedy, a realtor at Compass. If it’s not, it could make sense to replace it before listing.
Relying on DIYs
Haphazard DIYs could do more harm than good, according to Steph Mahon, principal agent and owner of Dwell New Jersey. “Buyers can spot a DIY renovation almost immediately, often because the home feels updated in pieces rather than as a cohesive whole,” she says. “Inconsistent flooring, mismatched moldings, varying paint finishes and different design styles from room to room can make a home feel disjointed and ultimately impact perceived value.”
Doing work without a permit
A beautiful kitchen renovation loses appeal fast if buyers discover the electrical or plumbing work was never properly permitted.
“The immediate reaction becomes, ‘What else was done incorrectly that I can’t see?’” says Kennedy. That can drag down your property value—even if the work looks beautiful.
Making niche design choices
Jeff Lichtenstein, CEO and broker of Echo Fine Properties, says doing anything too personal, like adding custom wallpaper or murals, makes it hard for a buyer to see a place as “their” home. It can also be expensive for them to remove in the future.
Lichtenstein says if you want to personalize an area, make sure it’s a small part of your home, like the powder room. And if you can, paint your walls a neutral color ahead of the open house.
Removing every bathtub
Doing this can turn off families with kids and, in Lichtenstein’s experience, even grandparents who are looking to host grandkids at their home. You don’t need a bathtub in every bathroom, but if you can have at least one, it may improve your resale value.
Ignoring your deck
“Deck maintenance and structural integrity are often overlooked by homeowners, particularly with older wood decks,” says Mahon. “Many sellers focus on cosmetic improvements like a fresh coat of paint or stain to make the deck look refreshed, without realizing there may be underlying structural issues that surface during inspection.”
If the deck is older, consult your real estate agent about whether repairs, disclosures, or an as-is sale strategy make sense.
Blocking views with privacy hedges
Privacy landscaping can be useful, but hedges that block a desirable view can work against you. “Strategic hedges to block out the neighbor or unpleasant things to look at are wonderful,” says Lichtenstein. “But I've seen people put privacy hedges blocking a long lake view.”
He mentions that one home he was working on sat on the market for over a year until the owners got rid of the hedges blocking their view. Then, there was a bidding war.
Overlooking moisture or musty smells
As an owner, you can sometimes get used to that drippy tap or musty basement scent, but they can be red flags for buyers. “Water and drainage issues can immediately create hesitation,” says Mahon. “Mustiness signals moisture, and buyers interpret moisture as risk,” she says.
For minor moisture issues, improving drainage, ventilation, and humidity control can help, though persistent water problems may require professional evaluation.
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