Messy neighbours prevent property sales
People are far less likely to take out a mortgage on a property if they don't like the look of the property next door, a new report has revealed.
A third of all house-hunters would think twice about buying or taking out a mortgage on a property that was next-door to a house with broken windows, overgrown gardens or any other signs of disrepair, according to the Yorkshire Bank.
The report also showed that, unsurprisingly, houses with funny smells are unpopular with anybody looking to buy or take a mortgage out on a property, with 22 per cent saying odd odours would stop they buying an otherwise perfect house.
Gary Lumby, head of retail at Yorkshire Bank, explained: 'When selling their home, most people think of giving it a spruce-up so it looks its best for potential buyers.'
'However, our research shows sellers should try giving their neighbours a nudge to do the same.
'Buyers are becoming increasingly fussy, with many now put off buying before they've even stepped foot inside a house.'
The fussiest homebuyers would appear to be those in the south-west, where an amazing 47 per cent would not buy a property with messy neighbours.
A further 30 per cent would also not buy or take out a mortgage on a funny-smelling house. | 
