A rule of thumb in the real estate world is that kitchens and bathrooms sell a house. So if you’re about to put your home on the market, you’ll want to laser focus on how your bathroom appears to home shoppers.

You especially want to check for anything that will give buyers the ick—that instant enthusiasm killer when they notice a turnoff in your bathroom.

“Bathrooms are intimate spaces, and their state tells a deeper story about the overall care and love poured into a home,” says Jim Olenbush, a real estate professional and founder of the brokerage Austin Real Estate. “For the average homebuyer, issues there could be major deal breakers.”

Why icky bathrooms can be deal breakers

Olenbush recalls flipping a 1920s bungalow that had a bathroom with an awkward layout. It had a lot of old-world charm, but the fixtures were oddly positioned.

“The sink was so close to the toilet that, in theory, one could wash their hands while—well, you get the picture,” Olenbush says with a laugh.

The negative bathroom details did not deter him from making an offer on the home. But it likely turned off other prospective buyers—and caused the seller to leave money on the table.

“It armed me with leverage for negotiating a better deal,” adds Olenbush.

To help you “un-ick” your home, we turned to the professionals. Here are six things that give would-be buyers the ick.

1. The little details

Beware of small things in your bathroom that can repel would-be buyers.

For Erin Hybart, a real estate professional in Baton Rouge, LA, who was shopping for a home for herself, the bathroom ick kept her from making an offer on what initially seemed like a “gem of a house.” But the bathrooms were stuck in the 1950s—an era of pastel toilets and sinks.

And it isn’t only bigger items like fixtures. Beware of small things in your bathroom that can have an outsized impact and repel would-be buyers. Old cracked soap (or no soap at all) can have a buyer wondering why you aren’t more invested in general cleanliness.

2. Old or cracked fixtures

An outdated bathroom, say our pros, is one of the main things that turn off buyers. When buyers see fixtures from another era, they worry that the plumbing is also ancient.

“Age might bring character, but poor plumbing can quickly flush down any rose-tinted sentiments,” says Olenbush.

Another thing that turns off buyers is broken fixtures. If there’s a chip in the sink or a dent in the tub, that’s a visual reminder that someone else shaved or bathed there. No one wants this reminder.

3. Mystery stains, hair everywhere, and carpeting

Carpeting in the bathroom is a huge turnoff for buyers.

Buyers might seem like detectives when encountering unidentified stains on bathroom surfaces.

Are they water stains, coffee spills, or ancient toothpaste art? The mystery can amp up the ick factor.

Another thing that is a universal turnoff is carpeting in this space. The bathroom Hybart ultimately passed on had it—wall to wall.

“The matching pink and blue carpet made the bathroom even worse,” says Hybart, “It likely held 40-plus years of smells and contributed to the overall smell in the house.”

4. Questionable DIY Repairs

DIY enthusiasts might proudly display their handiwork in the bathroom. However, buyers might encounter the aftermath of “creative” plumbing solutions that leave them reluctant to enter the room.

When repairs are made to a bathroom piecemeal, using random materials, it makes a buyer think that the homeowner cheaped out. And if corners are cut here, could the homeowner’s careless DIY effort be hiding something more serious?

Olenbush’s bathroom, for example, had a mishmash of tile.

“It looked like a patchwork quilt, and not in a good way,” Olenbush says. “Each wall seemed to champion a different decade.”

5. Lack of ventilation

No homebuyer wants to deal with mold.

Mold in a bathroom is invariably icky and can even be a health issue. Olenbush’s renovation included mold remediation.

“The lack of a vent or window had allowed the moisture to party hard, resulting in dark patches on the ceiling,” says Olenbush.

No homebuyer wants to deal with mold. When they see mold in a bathroom, they automatically assume it’s black mold—the worst type—even if it’s not. And they also inflate in their minds the price they might pay to have it professionally removed.

6. Privacy issues

The final beige flag in the bathrooms of the home Hybart gave up on was a strange door situation. And we’re not talking about the entrances to the bathrooms. More like the exits.

“There was an exterior door installed in each of the custom showers—which exited to the back patio,” says Hybart.

Maybe the backyard once had a pool or spa. But in most cases, an exit door off the bathroom will not be an attraction because the main thing most of us require in a bathroom is total privacy. Not a quick exit.

Fix the ick

When preparing your home to sell, you must remove all signs that someone else has lived there. This goes double for the bathroom, which should be clean and fresh. So if you spot mold, get an expert in there—pronto.

If your bathroom has carpeting, pull it up before an open house. There are tons of budget-flooring options out there.

Consider updating fixtures and old tile with more modern and stylish options. Ensure all windows have blinds or curtains. A bathroom that offers the necessary level of privacy can help buyers feel more comfortable with the space.

These relatively small investments will not only banish the ick but can also make a big difference in how buyers perceive the overall quality of the bathroom.

Source: "Bathroom Blunders: 6 Things About Your Loo That Give Buyers ‘The Ick’"