Introduction

Why on earth would anyone want to devalue a house? While most homeowners are usually in the market to increase the value of their properties, there might be some instances where knowing how to devalue a property could come in handy. This might feel counterintuitive, but hang on, we’ll unravel this mystery as we move along. Let’s dive deep into eight surefire ways to significantly devalue a house.

1. Neglect Repairs and Maintenance

If you’re looking to devalue your house, one of the quickest routes is through neglecting repairs and maintenance. Leaky roofs, faded paint, missing tiles, moldy bathrooms – you name it, all these issues would make potential buyers rethink their decision on your property, resulting in its value plummeting.

2. Poor Landscaping Efforts

Messy yards, overgrown grass, and unkempt bushes could make your house look haunted at best. A poor or non-existent landscaping strategy could directly knock a few thousands off of your property’s value, as the first impression always counts.

3. Unfinished DIY Projects

Started a renovation project and decided halfway it was too much work? Excellent! Nothing screams ‘devaluation’ like incomplete DIY efforts. They send a message of unreliability and neglect, which potential buyers can easily spot and adjust their offers accordingly.

4. Choosing Controversial Colors and Designs

If you’re keen on devaluing your house, consider deviating from the norm when it comes to interior and exterior design. Opt for the brightest, the darndest, the weirdest combinations of colors and styles. Most homebuyers prefer neutral tones, so this would surely deter them.

5. Neglecting Market Trends

Want to keep your house value below the competition? Simply ignore all the real estate market trends. If energy-efficient homes are in, don’t upgrade your windows, ignore the solar panel fad, and forget the insulation. Homeowners love modern amenities, and by neglecting these trends, your home is bound to lose some of its worth.

6. Ignoring Pest Control

If a buyer visits your house and sees a line of ants marching down the kitchen wall, or hears the eerie squeaks of rats in the attic, they are likely to run for the hills. Ignoring pest control is an assured way of decreasing home value.

7. Bad Neighbors

Got a neighbor with noisy all-night parties or one that never maintains their yard? Such neighbors could make your quality property seem less appealing just by proximity and cause its value to decrease.

8. Outrageous Customizations

Lastly, homeowners who seriously want to cut their properties short could invest in outrageous customizations like a cement pond in the living room or a slide instead of stairs. While these might suit your fancy, most potential buyers would view them as expensive to remove or replace, and hence, devalue your house.

Conclusion

Most of these pointers might sound hilarious, but they are time-tested ways to diminish your home’s value. Essentially, it all comes down to neglect and not keeping in line with buyer’s expectations. So, do the exact opposite if you actually want to increase your home’s worth. Happy maintaining!