Heather Bien

When you’re in a hot housing market, there’s a give and take to finding (and affording) the perfect house. For me, my compromise was that I chose to buy a major fixer-upper, rather than a move-in ready home. But the second compromise I made was a little less expected — and had to do with the strange layout of the house.You’ll often hear that you can find “deals” on houses that have quirks that might appeal to a specific buyer.

They’re so essential.

Ah, the ’80s: A time when design trends were over-the-top, and everything was glamorous. Black marble. Bright brass. Glass blocks. Whether it was a penthouse in New York or a suburban home on a cul-de-sac in Nebraska, the design style was big and bold. There’s no doubt that the design trends that followed were a reaction to this era; by the early 2000s, neutral stone-look tile and soft brushed nickel took over.

Avoid these hues if you’re hoping to entice new buyers or renters.