To those selling in these difficult times

Davesnave

themanbearpig wrote: »

House on the market since January. Started at 265, then 250, then 230, now accepted an offer for £210,000. A 21% drop from original, but at least its sold.

I expect ATLEAST a 30% drop when I buy again, so I guess its not the end of the world.

I do hope you get that scale of reduction, though it seems around 20% is the norm on properties that are actually selling.

I play a little game with Rightmove, making some of my saved properties ones that I think will sell quickly, even if I have no interest in them. I'm much more often right than wrong, but even these 'dead cert properties' quite often reappear on the market again; there's just so much that can go wrong at the moment.

If it's any consolation, my drop was much like yours.

draconian_2

Hi Guys

we have our house on the market right now - 3 weeks on with one viewing every weekend (apart from today) and so far its been pretty abysmal.
The house is advertised in the right places but I am slightly confused as to what people want from a new property these days?

Our house is 5 years old but we refurbed it last year and so it has new bathrooms/kitchens etc and fully landscaped gardens.

The finish is plain white walls - very little personalisation and located in Northants just north of Milton Keynes.

The challenge is I think the house is superb but the three people who have viewed it one was an old couple (just the LED plinth lights put the off!) and the other two didnt think it was child friendly!

In my experience you need to present an uncluttered clean house - which is what we are doing. I just think myself the local EA is bringing anyone round so that they appear to be doing something!

There are two other properties of similar style and size for sale and neither of those two are sold so I think the people are just "brick kickers" are we all getting these types??

Cheers

D

scousethife

draconian wrote: »

Hi Guys

and the other two didnt think it was child friendly!


D

How exactly is it not child friendly?

draconian_2

scousethife wrote: »

How exactly is it not child friendly?

I think because we have white kitchen units and the floor is polished granite. The rear garden is currently decked, but we arr removing a large outdoor unit and would replace with turf - but the EA doesn't (imho) know how to handle objections!

I think some people like to see a dity and messy house - I dunno!

If you had a family and saw a white gloss kitchen with black granite worktops and flooring would you think your kids would ruin it!?

Cheers


D

Davesnave

draconian wrote: »

I think because we have white kitchen units and the floor is polished granite. The rear garden is currently decked, but we arr removing a large outdoor unit and would replace with turf - but the EA doesn't (imho) know how to handle objections!

I think some people like to see a dity and messy house - I dunno!

If you had a family and saw a white gloss kitchen with black granite worktops and flooring would you think your kids would ruin it!?
Cheers
D

No, but I might think I would ruin it! Seriously, modern houses appeal to some people and older, more mature properties appeal to others. Many people like the sparkling new look, as it implies no repair bills, messy refurbishment or hassle for some time to come. However, such folk also tend, in my experience, to lack practical vision, or have an aversion to physical labour. Even something like the lack of a grass space for the children might put them off.

Where an older property scores is often in the reputation of the road; something that can't be created quickly. In my road, and in some of the others nearby, people are buying into a very established community where families stay for a long time. Most of the people who've been serious about my house have been locals, who can do a full ID check on my neighbours using the school gate grapevine! Virtually all the families that have come here in the last ten years have done so with the idea of extending and/or remodelling the houses long term, so not exactly faint-hearted types.

Horses for courses. I have watched people walk away from my house in its very peaceful location and buy something more modern on a main through-route instead.

pawpurrs

Do you think reducing to our bottom line will help? With a fixed price, Im thinking that people would still come in with offers?

Strapped

draconian wrote: »

I think because we have white kitchen units and the floor is polished granite. The rear garden is currently decked, but we arr removing a large outdoor unit and would replace with turf - but the EA doesn't (imho) know how to handle objections!

I think some people like to see a dity and messy house - I dunno!

If you had a family and saw a white gloss kitchen with black granite worktops and flooring would you think your kids would ruin it!?

Cheers


D

The kitchen wouldn't put me off but a non-kid-friendly garden might, esp if it was tiny. Having said that, we bought this place which had a patio + raised cottage garden (no lawn) but we are in the process of changing it to suit our family, plus there is a park at the top of the road.

ETA: And I agree with Dave - the reason we compromised was to "buy into a community" - location, location, location and all that.

Davesnave

pawpurrs wrote: »

Do you think reducing to our bottom line will help? With a fixed price, Im thinking that people would still come in with offers?

Unfortunately, yes, people are generally reciting the mantra '10% off whatever it's on for' and your agent is legally bound to pass on whatever offers he/she receives, no matter how daft.

With only 3000 houses sold last month in England & Wales it is a real uphill task, but you have had viewings. IMO there may be no harm dropping to your bottom line at this point in the year, as there's only about a month to go before people's thoughts turn to Christmas, and next years bottom line may be somewhere else. However, it is easy for me to say that. I can't for the life of me remember what % you've dropped so far, but it looks like 18- 20% is quite 'normal' now.

BettiePage

themanbearpig wrote: »

House on the market since January. Started at 265, then 250, then 230, now accepted an offer for £210,000. A 21% drop from original, but at least its sold.

I expect ATLEAST a 30% drop when I buy again, so I guess its not the end of the world.

How much did you originally pay for it though?

moneysavingfamilycomp

we have the location if thats what you would call it 3 familys on our street have lived here for aprox 40 yrs the rest have been here for 10yrs or more we are the newbies we have only been here 7yrs lol. we also have refurbished and yes we have a white kitchen lol only ours has oak wood flooring and worktops. in another month or so ( once work on drive is done )im going to try another EA . does anyone know what the rules are for multiple EA marketing your property. i can check my contract and do searches but im feeling lazy today and usually some lovely person on here knows the answers and can explain in simple terms. most of our EA arent open weekends either or only sat morn. theres only one ( the one with the highest fees ) that is open all weekend.