Top Property Investment Mistakes

A brief property description of: a 3 bedroom end terrace Victorian Home in London containing an expansive lounge and a low maintenance garden, may sound like the ideal property investment at a first glance, but as many buyers are finding appearances can often be deceiving.

Even consequential features of extravagant fittings, swimming pools and over ambitious extensions, are deterring buyers from sealing the deal and investing in property.

As a result property advisors are warning homeowners and property investors alike to be careful when choosing to modify a property. It may look pretty but it won’t necessarily increase its value.


Some to reach their top ten include:

Swimming Pools: expensive to install, run and maintain, swimming pools take up a large amount of space. According to property experts Aylesford International buyers would much rather have an office or a large playroom

Extravagant fixtures/fittings: a 2 bedroom terrace in a poor area is still a 2 bedroom terrace in a poor area, no matter how many gold taps and fine furnishings are installed

Gardens: high maintenance gardens can be a big turn-off for buyers who haven’t got the time to maintain it to the right standard

Reducing number of bedrooms: converting 2 small bedrooms into 1 larger one in a 4 bedroom property may sound like a good idea at the time, but when a seller comes to sell this 4 bedroom property it will look to buyers like an overpriced 3 bedroom home

Converting outbuildings: one holiday let cottage on a country estate will add value to the property, however convert any more and the business element of managing all these holiday lettings will begin to overpower the properties over value

New kitchens/bathrooms: installing tailored bespoke kitchens/bathrooms into a property can often put buyers off who have got their own ideas for the property

Ambitious extensions: buyers tend to judge properties based on the size and price of its neighbour, so whilst an extension will add to the value of the property, be too over ambitious and this can dampen interest

Original Article

More About the Author

Peter Franklin, Property Mentor Delegate

I used to believe stocks and shares were the only way forward, yet after 15 years of property investing, neither of these can compare with the sheer velocity or impact that property investment can have on your bank account. Only with property can you truly experience the power of being in control of immediate cash flow AND capital appreciation. Stocks and shares simply cannot compete. Read more