Selling your home is a months-long endeavor that you hope will pay off with a profit. But even if you wait until the best week of the year to list your home, invest in the latest upgrades, and make it more appealing on the outside, you can’t control the offers that come in. An asking price is just that, an offer, and getting an offer on your home that meets (or better yet, exceeds) that threshold usually requires a carefully crafted plan. Unfortunately, even in the hottest real estate markets, homes usually sell below asking price. This could be due to a bad appraisal or a savvy buyer’s agent, but in most cases, you can blame it on poor renovation decisions by the seller.
According to Amanda Pendleton, trend expert at Zillow, Many design choices and decisions sellers make before making an offer can actually be detrimental when they realize lower-than-expected offers are coming in. “These features should be viewed as an indication of what else a home has to offer,” Pendleton explains. “However, potential buyers are likely to perceive a home with design elements like laminate flooring and tile countertops as dated and in need of renovation. That perception will be factored into their offer, and as a result, the home may sell for less than expected.”
You want to make sure you’re investing where it counts before you put your home on the market. Read on to learn 10 design elements and features to avoid to get the highest offers on your home.
10. Wooden cabinets
Amount below offer price: 0.40 percent
Wood cabinets are common in old homes and have a bad reputation. But not all wood is created equal. Potential buyers find shaker-style cabinets and lighter, cooler wood tones more attractive than orange or paneled wood cabinets. If you’re refreshing your kitchen before putting your home up for sale, paint your cabinets in a timeless cream or white.
9. Security
Amount below offer: 0.70 percent
Although they are now commonplace in even the nicest neighborhoods, home security systems can be a bit of a red flag for potential buyers, especially if there are a lot of cameras or lights. Choosing a security system is also a very personal matter, and many potential buyers prefer to select one themselves.
8. Walk-in closets
Amount below offer: 0.70 percent
For a fashionista, a spacious walk-in closet is a major selling point. However, more modest potential buyers may view a large closet as wasted space. Walk-in closets without adequate shelving or hanging rods are also viewed as a bigger project than they’re worth.
7. Oak cabinets
Amount below offer price: 0.80 percent
Like simple wooden cabinets, oak cabinets are perceived by potential buyers as outdated and in need of replacement. Not only do they show the age of the home, but they can also signal to a buyer that the home has not been properly cared for or maintained – however true that may be.
6. Bamboo floor
Amount below offer: 0.80 percent
While hardwood flooring and aged woods topped our 2024 flooring trends report, bamboo flooring is a turn-off for potential buyers. The often yellow or orange-colored wood can look dated, and the material is much more susceptible to water damage and warping than popular alternatives. If you’re replacing your flooring before putting your home up for sale, opt for a more durable hardwood like hickory, maple or oak.
5. A fitness center
Amount below offer: 0.90 percent
Unless a potential buyer is a gym fanatic or professional athlete, a large home gym (similar to a walk-in closet) can be viewed as wasted space. We’re not talking about a single Peloton bike or a basket of dumbbells here—that’s fine. Imagine a Kardashian-style workout room.
4. Elevator
Amount below offer: 0.90 percent
While an elevator is an extravagant feature that makes transporting groceries much easier, one thing potential buyers face is high maintenance costs. With annual inspections required in some states and expensive repairs, an elevator may be more trouble than it’s worth.
3. Roof terrace
Amount below offer: 0.90 percent
Outdoor spaces are usually a plus, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. However, potential homebuyers want outdoor spaces that are easily accessible and usable, like a patio or garden. Rooftop decks are also more prone to wear and tear because they’re more exposed to the elements, and they’re not the safest choice for pets or children.
2. Tile worktops
Amount under offer: 1 percent
Tile countertops are often viewed as old-fashioned, but can result in an offer that is a full percentage less than your asking price. Tile countertops are difficult to clean (due to the grout) and time-consuming to repair or replace if the material chips or cracks.
1. Laminate surfaces
Amount below offer price: 1.10 percent
Although it is inexpensive and loved by DIYers, laminate flooring is definitely not seen as an advantage by potential buyers. Laminate flooring is considered a cheap and basic flooring material and does not exactly exude durability or longevity – two important factors that people consider when investing in a home.
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Amanda is Zillow’s home trends expert. Her practical, data-driven real estate and design advice has been featured on TODAY, Real Simple, Glamour, Forbes, and NBC, ABC, CBS, and FOX affiliates nationwide. She is an Emmy award-winning storyteller and television personality with more than 15 years of experience as a news anchor in major markets. She has a passion for renovating and restoring historic homes, and her design projects have been featured in Apartment Therapy, Seattle Magazine, and Boston Home Magazine.
