Real Estate Agents Agree: Homebuyers Are Quick to Pass on Listings That Need This One Fix

Homebuyers want a move-in-ready property, not one that comes with years of deferred maintenance. Visible repairs or outdated features often signal extra time, effort, and expense—factors that can quickly turn off potential buyers.

To help sellers prepare, real estate experts share the types of home projects buyers are most reluctant to take on and why completing these repairs in advance can boost a home’s value and appeal.

The Home Project That Will Turn Buyers Away

One of the projects that will turn buyers off the fasters is an outdated kitchen. Since the kitchen is the center of the home, when it feels stuck in another decade with dark cabinets, worn countertops, and old fixtures, buyers immediately start to consider exactly how much it will take to update it.

“It’s more about expense and uncertainty rather than appearance,” says Lawrence Bellido, President of the Orlando Regional Realtor Association (ORRA). “Kitchen remodels can easily run into the tens of thousands, and buyers worry about what they’re not seeing: hidden plumbing issues, electrical work, or permits that were never finalized.”

Even if the rest of the home is great, the kitchen is often considered the heart of the home and is a top priority for most buyers. An older kitchen with outdated appliances and worn fixtures creates a negative first impression, and while many buyers may say they can look past it, the truth is that they rarely can.

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Why Do Outdated Kitchens Turn Buyers Off?

Having an outdated kitchen often signals to homebuyers a need for expensive, time-consuming renovations, which can cause them to overestimate the exact cost involved with updating the space and turn them away from the home.

“Kitchens are expensive to complete, and even a few unfinished details can make buyers worry about hidden costs or the amount of work it will take to make the space functional again,” Bellido says.

• Renovation costs: Most homebuyers see outdated kitchens as a significant commitment and are frequently deterred by the project costs and hidden fees associated with currently unseen problems.
• Outdated appliances: Replacing old, mismatched, or inefficient appliances is a huge turn off for home buyers who become concerned about the cost of replacements, seeing them as a significant expense for a newly purchased home. Old, mismatched, or inefficient appliances are a major turn-off.
• Poor layout: When the kitchen is cramped or has an inefficient layout, buyers may become uninterested because the space is not practical or comfortable for cooking, cleaning, and socializing.
• Lack of storage: While open space shelving may seem like a trendy choice, buyers can be turned off by the way it makes the space feel cluttered. Similarly, a lack of storage space may be perceived as inadequate for their needs, forcing them to consider the cost to add more storage.

4 Other Home Projects Turning Buyers Away

Cracked or Drafty Windows

Buyers will often see outdated or failing windows as a heavy expense to replace, while leaving these windows in is an even less appealing option due to the poor energy-efficiency and higher utility bills.

If the windows are cracked, foggy, or damaged, it presents a poor first impression of the home when the buyers first come to see the property, which may turn away prospective homebuyers.

“To ensure that a buyer feels comfortable purchasing a property, document the costs of repairs and completion times outlined by a contractor, as well as any transferable warranties that are available,” Alexei Morgado, Licensed Real Estate Sales Associate and Realtor and CEO and Founder at Lexawise.

Old or Damaged Roof

Putting in a new roof is one of the most expensive home repairs that most homebuyers will not want to undertake. Missing, curling, or discolored shingles make the entire property look neglected and uninviting, turning homebuyers away before they even get through the front door.

Also, Morgado says that when a “roof design is not finished, such as some sections exposed to the sun or some base coat remaining, there is a risk that the insurance company will not honor the sale.”

Foundation and Structural Problems

A home that requires significant foundation and structural repairs create immediate stress factors for potential homebuyers due to the safety concerns and costs to make these repairs.

But if the foundation just has minor cosmetic cracks, you may still be able to move forward with the sale before making any changes.

“If certain repairs are still needed, the price of the property will need to reflect this, with the areas in question safe, clean, and ready to be shown,” Morgado says.

Just make sure that you are completely transparent, that you disclose any problems, and that you are fair when negotiating a lower price to reflect the unfinished repairs.

Outdated or Poorly Maintained HVAC System

HVAC systems are essential for heating in the winter and cooling in the summer. An outdated, non-functioning, or poorly maintained HVAC system is a big red flag for any potential homebuyers, and may even have a negative impact on the appraisal of your home’s value.

“Be upfront with buyers about what’s left to do, and if possible, provide quotes or plans so they can see a clear path to completion,” Bellido says. “Adjusting pricing realistically can help buyers overlook a project if the value reflects the work still needed to be done.”

If this doesn’t work, then the best possible solution is to upgrade the HVAC system and include the new system as a prominent selling point when you list the property.