People could knock £20,000 off house-price due to little-known garden change

People could be losing out on as much as £20,000 due to simple little details inside their homes, according to a property expert.

Terry Fisher, from WeBuyAnyHome, has warned that those with a north-facing garden and without real grass could see £20,000 knocked off their home's value.

Other issues include no off-road parking and having a bathroom with just a shower and no bathtub, reports Birmingham Live.

Terry said: "While everyone has their tastes and opinions, the best approach is to imagine a very ‘normal’ family living in your house and working out what they would and wouldn’t want. That means it’s out with any funky decor, but also some less obvious and even surprising factors that can put potential buyers off handing over their cash."

The property expert noted that people could lose as much as £5,000 for having a north-facing garden as it is an "automatic deal breaker" for many buyers.

Terry explained: "As a sun trap, it is no surprise that north-facing gardens can be an automatic deal breaker for many homebuyers. Outdoor spaces have become much more desirable in recent years and enjoying as much sunshine as possible is important for many buyers.

"If you have a lovely garden that faces north you won’t enjoy the full benefits and that is going to hit you in the pocket - up the tune of £5,000."

The expert also noted that those who have opted for artificial lawns for easier maintenance could be hit with a loss of £15,000. Terry said: "Maintaining a luscious lawn takes time and effort, so many people have opted to have artificial alternatives laid.

"But in recent years this has become a big turn-off when it comes to dipping into the housing market. There is an environmental impact of course, while the look of fake grass just isn’t doing it for modern buyers and it could cost you £15,000 in fees."

Terry also noted that those without a private driveway could see their property value lower due to the growing popularity of electric vehicles. He explained: "The growing popularity of electric vehicles, (EVs) is important.

"If you have a private driveway you can fit a charger and top up the battery without any issues. But if you have to park on the road, you can’t string wires across the pavement so this can put off buyers and therefore lower the property value."

And finally, potentially the most surprising one, having a bathroom with just a shower in it could put off homebuyers as many prefer having a bathtub as well.

Terry added: "Many people favour a shower but you have to think who might be buying your house. Families with young children will want a bath while older people also favour it over standing up for a wash. Others simply just like sinking into a hot tub to soothe their aches and pains. Not having one can be costly."

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