A third of Australian house hunters are put off buying a home when it’s close to a brothel, but twice as many would be deterred by a rowdy pub, a new survey shows.

The biggest deterrent for buyers was an area with a high crime rate, while homes in a predominantly industrial area were also largely disliked, a survey of 2000 home buyers by Finder.com.au shows.

Nationally, 79 per cent of home buyers said a high crime rate was a turn off and 68 per cent said being within two kilometres of a busy bar was a pet peeve.

Crime was a “legitimate” concern for home buyers, Starr Partners chief executive Doug Driscoll said.

“Crime rates should definitely be a consideration but I truly don’t think enough buyers are doing their due diligence in that respect, and it could be as simple as a quick Google search,” Mr Driscoll said.

“A house on a noisy road might have a 20 per cent variance in price.”Doug Driscoll, Starr Partners

Despite this, crime rates were often higher in desirable areas due to busier retail sectors and nightlife.

He also warned about “geological” factors, such as the impact of climate change on coastal areas, with erosion recently causing devastation for Collaroy beachfront homes.

“Certainly things like noisy roads and railroad lines would impinge and impact on price,” he said.

“A house on a quiet cul-de-sac in comparison to the same one on a noisy road might have a 20 per cent variance in price.”

In Victoria, buyers were particularly concerned with how fashionable an area was, with one in 10 respondents put off by areas that weren’t trendy. This was double the national average.

It’s “hard to say exactly why” Victorians are more concerned about this factor than other Australians, but it likely comes down to lifestyle preferences, Wakelin Property Advisory associate director Jarrod McCabe said.

“While many other cities have a beach-focused lifestyle, Melbourne’s climate and distance from quality beaches similar to those other Australian cities enjoy, sees the focus more on attaining easy access to a trendy cafe lifestyle and laneway culture,” Mr McCabe said.

And it’s not an entirely emotional rationale, with most buyers believing these areas have strong demand and therefore future growth potential, he said.

“An astute buyer may not be a follower of trends because they are a fashion victim, but simply because they want to buy where they feel confident they’ll be able to sell well in the future.

“What makes something a deal breaker is all about context.”

When it comes to property investment, Propertyology managing director Simon Pressley said buyers should look past face value.

“Property research isn’t done with the eyes but with the brain,” he said.

While it made sense to avoid main roads and homes near cemeteries, he said properties near pubs and brothels shouldn’t be a deal breaker.

But those selling a home with “undesirable” features needn’t give up hope for a good sale result, Finder spokeswoman Bessie Hassan said.

“Put yourself in the buyers’ shoes and put some measures in place to ensure you’re addressing potential questions or concerns regarding the area’s crime and noise rates,” Ms Hassan said.

Buyers put off by industrial areas should “keep in mind” that gentrification and urban renewal could quickly change this dynamic. Suburbs such as Melbourne’s Fitzroy and Sydney’s Surry Hills were previously more industrial and have become some of the most desirable neighbourhoods.