It depends on the feature, it depends on "how in your face" that feature might be, it depends on the buyer. I had a home for sale last year with a koi pond, which the buyers did not want. My sellers adopted out the koi and buried the pond. No biggie.

I think a koi pond is a wonderful feature. In my area however, any kind of water feature is a problem. Between the extreme heat and mineral rich soil and water, it's a lot of upkeep. Plus we have a lot of seasonal and vacation owners who just aren't around for maintenance.

Having said that, a water feature is usually not a huge deal to drain and fill. So if the rest of the property is right, it's not insurmountable.

Advertise the features, someone will be in the market for Koi ponds.

Accentuate the positive.  Among many "issues" today are that people seem unable to think independently.  I personally do not care about what others think.  I read clients however I also ask them and communicate with them - do you like the koi pond? If not, you can relocate the fish and create something else in that space. 

I don't divert attention or try to spin anything.

It is only "unique" if it appeals to the customer. Promote it if it appeals to them. Pass it by if no interest.

I don't 'divert' their attention - I address any negatives head-on and if they are clients who like a particular unique feature, then it's icing on the cake for them and I support their line of thinking.

However, if it's going to impact resale, I defintiely make them aware of that going in.

What Nina Hollander said. It depends on how significant the feature is and how difficult it is to remove the feature for those that don't care for it. If the feature really makes up the pure essence of what the property is all about, it's better to promote the feature and hopefully only attract buyers that like the feature.

I tyically point out features good or bad rather than try to divert attention away from anything.

Interesting question, Kodama Koi Farm However, it's too cold where I live for koi ponds.

koi ponds can easily be filled in.... 

Do you ask because you are in the koi business?

Not sure what your question is here, Sorty.more info here.

I showed a home to a couple with their two small children in tow.  They walked into the master bath and stopped dead in their tracks.  "EEEW, what is that?" she remarked.  I informed her it was a bidet, to which she reacted appalled.  Her husband asked about it and she implied it had to do with sex.  I nipped it by enlightening them about how one bad meal  (montezuma) or flu would make them appreciate the cleanliness this may provide them and the children.  Hmmm...suddenly they liked the idea.  Unreal.

Parked and reading.

I love Koi ponds but I don't have the time to take care of it or the fish.  If client likes the home, they can always hire a professional to remove or bury the pond, give the fish away to pet store etc.  I would suggest that but tell them it's their decision.  I would not encourage them to make an offer on the property, though, especially if their not liking the pond is based on some superstition.  If something goes wrong, we'll be the first they blame because of bad luck. Also in many cultures, words travel faster than a comet. 

I'm with Nina on this one. If buyers like everything else about the house, easy remedy is to get rid of the pond.

Kodama,

We had two koi ponds at our home in Los Angeles in the canyons.  The hawks, owls and other raptors assumed we had a gourmet restaurant fot them.  When the last koi was gone, we planted a lemon tree instead, and another tree in the upper pond.  Next door in the office building we were in, they have a koi pond in the large lobby.  I thought it was wonderful.  A

You are being "coy" .....

I just try & put whatever the homeowner's offering in the most positive light I can put it in. If it's that unique you can always add into the listing "sold with or without the (the unique item)."

Some will love a koi pond and some will wish it was not there. Same for swimming pools in many areas. Find out your client's criteria and try to find houses that satisfy their needs.

If it is your listing, put a positive spin on it and realize that not everyone will buy in.

I don't believe in making someone like something they don't SPIN is for politicians market the homes features so that the RIGHT match happens. Some people want a koi pond others don't I don't try to sell winter coats to people living near the equator. So my suggestion is to target those who do want the homes features rather than try to convince those that don't to buy the house.

You can't hide what might be considered a negative feature but you can focus on the positives.  No home is going to be perfect.  Compromises are made.

The buyers make that decision. We look for features they want.

Here in Florida, pools have the same issue. Those moving in from Indiana want a pool. Those moving here from Orlando say, "Been there. Done that. You can keep your pool."

There is NOTHING to do in this situation except say, "This house is not for you."  It is much more expensive to remediate a $95,000 pool than a $3,00 Koi pond.

My recommendation to you is to not focus on FEATURES but absolutely invest in the resources that allow you to control the narrative; to dictate the terminology in which the house will be referred.

For example, one big water view house had a long linage of occupants who were very well recognized writer, publishers and scholars.  Everything in the house confirmed to the visitor felt and WERE smarter just being there.

Yep, buyer and their agents used the dictated narrative of the 'Jepordy House."

The feeling of greatness was conveyed in the Babe Ruth house.

Would it not be better for the owner who hired you to realize the house is referred to as 'The Babe Ruth House' and not that 1925, 716 SF bungalow across the street from the hobo park.

CONTROL THE NARRATIVE.

The features will sort themselves out.

I put a postive spin on everything. Focus on what people love

I can't remember the last time I've seen a koi pond out here in So Cal.  I think the last one we had was at a Japanese restaurant and they've taken it out and turned it into a dry river bed.

It varies with house to house.

Have to see what others have to say.

It is what it is.

Why yes ... in my area I wouldn't mention it at all ever.

No.

ignore them. I have to say racoons are the fastest koi snatchers.....

We call it as we see it, however, there are always two sides to an argument