What do Japanese Knotweed and swimming pools have in common? They both have the capacity to devalue your home, according to estate agents.
It will come as no surprise the invasive plant, which is native to East Asia and has the potential to cause devastation to your home, might put off potential buyers.
According to NAEA Propertymark, which represents estate agents across the UK, it can damage the foundations of your home and significantly devalue the property if it’s at risk of subsidence as result of the plant’s insidious grip.
But, sellers may be more surprised to learn swimming pools are also listed among the particulars which could reduce a property valuation.
For while they might be fun for a weekend or two in the summer, pools tend to put off UK viewers who fear they will be too expensive to maintain, use up a lot of space and be redundant for most of the year.
NAEA Propertymark said they are deemed as being a lot more fuss than they’re worth and advises filling it in if it’s looking rundown. If it’s in great condition, then think about selling your home in the summer when your pool is up and running and looking its best.
The advice to anyone who thinks they can see Japanese Knotweed in their garden is to call a professional to excavate it as soon as possible.
What else can put buyers off?
Other more common features or issues which can lead to properties being devalued include general bad condition and poor presentation.
There are large numbers of buyers who want a property which is ready to move into and which require just a minimum spend to spruce up. Issues such as damp, cracks in the walls or poor roof condition can therefore severely impact the value. What’s more, an old boiler and single-glazed windows can also act as red lights to buyers.
More easy to remedy is bad presentation. NAEA Propertymark advises homes should be clean, clutter-free and smelling clean and fresh. Any outstanding DIY jobs should be completed.
It also advises against over-personalising your home, as this too can devalue a property. Bold or very colourful décor might act as a repellent to potential buyers and estate agents said modestly-decorated homes tend to be the most desirable.
Darkened rooms, worsened by plants and bushes close to windows, frosted glass or net curtains, could prove unattractive. According to NAEA, bright and airy homes will – nine times out of ten – be worth more than dark and dingy ones.
Mark Bentley, President, NAEA Propertymark said: “Sometimes the improvements and changes you have made might make the property less attractive to buyers, so before you start marketing your home, it’s worth taking stock and making any necessary alterations to give you the best chance of securing your asking price.
“You can ask friends or family for their honest opinions, or your estate agents can help advise on any small changes you may want to make before placing your home on the market.”
That is bad advice to just say “call a professional to excavate it as soon as possible.”
Excavation is not normally the prefered option in many residential properties as it might not be possible, is expensive and environmentally potentially more problematic than in situ herbicide treatment.
Every single situation is different problems you need an appropriate but common sense approach to solutions specific to your site and the normally over the top requirements of mortgage lenders!
Most require a Japanese knotweed Mangement Plan to be implemented by a Property Care Association to ensure good practice is followed and Insurance Back Guarantees available, again if required.