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A new study by an online kitchen granite worktop specialist has found that 25% of potential house buyers are put off a property if it has a small kitchen.
The survey, conducted by MayfairGranite.co.uk , asked 1,006 UK residents over 18 who were looking at properties what deterred them most.
Kitchen size was the key factor, with a lack of natural light also featuring on the list. Other more superficial deterrents included grease, fat stains and mould, and a lack of storage space.
Participants were asked: ‘What do you find most off-putting in a kitchen when buying a house?’ and asked to choose from a list of possible answers. The results were:
Kitchen size (too small) – 25%
Grease/fat stains/mould – 20%
No natural light – 17%
Lack of storage – 13%
Outdated cabinets and worktops – 10%
Awkward kitchen layout – 8%
Broken fixtures and fittings – 7%
Londoners were most likely to be put off a property because of a small kitchen (38%), while 20% of the city’s residents were discouraged by a lack of natural light. 18% of Londoners also said that grease and fat stains would make them think twice about a property.
The survey also revealed that first time buyers aged between 18 and 24 were more likely to overlook outdated and badly laid out kitchens if the size was right, but they did vote grease and fat stains high on their list of turn offs. Meanwhile, those aged between 55 and 64 voted that a lack of storage and natural light would deter them.
Those respondents who cited out-of-date cabinets and worktops and an awkward kitchen layout as negatives said they were more likely to put in a lower offer, even if they liked the property on the whole – with some claiming they would offer up to £15,000 less than the asking price if the kitchen needed replacing.
Neil Beard from Mayfair Granite said: “From the survey, it’s plain to see that people still regard the kitchen as one of the most important rooms in the house when it comes to buying a property, and in many cases a bad kitchen can put people off putting in an offer entirely. In this volatile housing market, it’s important that home sellers create the right impression to potential buyers.”
He added: “Home sellers cannot do anything about the size of their kitchen. But simple things like cleaning, removing clutter and fixing broken fixtures and fittings can make a big difference to potential buyers – and can help sellers achieve an offer on or – as close to – the asking price as possible.”
Grease and fat stains in the kitchen are big turn offs for potential house buyers
