10 Surprising Factors That Can Decrease Your Property Value — And How to Avoid Them

Watch our detailed video breakdown of these property value killers here.

How can unexpected factors hurt your home's resale value—even when everything seems fine at first glance? With home values having soared 162% since 2000 while income has increased only 78%, protecting your property's value has never been more critical.

Even small issues—like outdated decor, neglected maintenance, or curb appeal missteps—can quietly chip away at what buyers are willing to pay. Here's what to watch for, backed by real data, and what you can do to protect your investment.

1. Bad Neighbors or Troubled Neighborhood Dynamics

The Impact: A neighbor with a cluttered yard, noisy lifestyle, or a reputation in the community can affect how buyers perceive your home. While you can't control your neighbors, being aware of potential issues helps you prepare counter-narratives during showings.

What You Can Do: Focus on highlighting your property's positive features and consider timing your showings during quieter periods.

2. Peeling Exterior Paint or Unusual Colors

The Impact: Cracked, faded, or overly bold exterior paint makes for a poor first impression. Fresh paint improves resale value by over $7,500 on average, making this one of the most cost-effective improvements you can make.

What You Can Do: Invest in quality exterior paint in neutral colors. The return on investment is substantial and immediate.

3. Deferred Maintenance

The Impact: Leaky gutters, missing shingles, or drooping eaves show neglect. Deferred maintenance issues can hurt property value significantly, as buyers often assume hidden problems exist when visible maintenance is ignored.

What You Can Do: Address small repairs immediately. Create a seasonal maintenance checklist to stay ahead of issues.

4. Unpermitted Renovations & DIY Mishaps

The Impact: Unlicensed work or poorly done DIY projects reduce buyer trust and can create legal complications during the sale process.

What You Can Do: Always get proper permits and hire licensed professionals for major work. If you discover unpermitted work, consult with local authorities about bringing it up to code.

5. Overly Personalized or Trendy Interiors

The Impact: Bold, highly customized interiors may not appeal to buyers who struggle to envision their own belongings in the space.

What You Can Do: Stick to neutral finishes and classic design elements. Save bold choices for easily replaceable items like artwork and accessories.

6. Poor Curb Appeal or Unkempt Yard

The Impact: This is where the data gets really compelling. Seventy-eight percent of real estate professionals say poor landscaping and hardscaping negatively affect a home's value, and property values can fall 30% from poor landscaping.

However, the flip side is equally powerful: Investing around $3,500 in curb appeal can yield around $12,000 in increased value (238% ROI), and basic yard care and adding fresh mulch can boost home value by $4,500.

What You Can Do:

• Maintain a well-kept lawn
• Add fresh mulch to garden beds
• Trim overgrown trees and shrubs
• Plant colorful flowers for seasonal appeal
• Ensure walkways are clean and well-maintained

7. Address Suffix Issues

The Impact: Studies show homes on certain street names can sell differently. While this might seem quirky, first impressions matter, and some addresses may have negative connotations.

What You Can Do: Focus on highlighting your neighborhood's positive attributes and amenities to overcome any address-related concerns.

8. Unpleasant Odors (Pet, Smoke, Mold)

The Impact: Lingering odors from pets, smoke, or moisture issues put buyers off immediately and can signal underlying problems.

What You Can Do:

• Deep-clean carpets and fabrics
• Address any moisture issues promptly
• Use professional odor elimination services if needed
• Ensure proper ventilation throughout the home

9. Unusual Architectural Features (Pools, Garage Conversions)

The Impact: These features can limit buyer interest. Pools may feel high-maintenance to some buyers, while garage conversions remove valuable storage and parking space.

What You Can Do: Highlight the benefits while being prepared to address concerns. For pools, emphasize entertainment value and provide maintenance cost estimates. For converted garages, showcase the versatility of the additional living space.

10. Lack of Storage or Bedroom Count

The Impact: Homes with limited storage or bedrooms feel cramped and may not meet buyers' functional needs, especially in today's market where space efficiency is increasingly valued.

What You Can Do:

• Maximize existing storage with organizers
• Highlight built-in storage features
• Consider whether any spaces could be reconfigured to add bedrooms
• Stage rooms to show maximum functionality

The Current Market Context

Understanding these factors is even more critical in today's market. The country's real GDP growth in 2024 reached 2.8%, but growth is projected to moderate, making it essential to position your property competitively.

Your Action Plan

Immediate Steps (This Weekend):

•  Walk around your property with fresh eyes
• Take photos from the street to see what buyers will see first
• Make a list of any deferred maintenance items

Short-term Improvements (Next 30 Days):

• Invest in basic yard care and fresh mulch for an immediate $4,500 value boost
• Address any obvious maintenance issues
• Consider a fresh coat of paint for high-impact areas

Medium-term Strategy (Next 90 Days):

• Plan larger curb appeal improvements with professional landscaping
• Depersonalize interior spaces
• Organize and declutter to maximize perceived space

For a visual walkthrough of these concepts and real examples, check out our comprehensive video guide here.

Ready to protect or boost your home's value in Cochrane or Airdrie? With curb appeal investments showing 238% ROI and strategic improvements making measurable differences, let me help with a prelisting walk-through to identify improvements that will keep your sale timeline short and price strong.

Contact me today for your personalized property value assessment.