Parking & Other Issues

unclebatman

Hi all,

Long time no post for me, I’m just after a little advice if I may.

I’m about to market my property in the next couple of weeks for sale (already decided on agent & solicitor etc)

I have a three bedroom end terraced, in a fairly popular area, BUT there are double yellow lines outside, meaning, obviously, I can’t park there.
Instead, I have to park in an adjacent street, across a small park area (viewable from front window)

The agent has suggested, given the lack of parking, to market the property at circa £115k, confident that when we get people actually into the property there will be interest, as it’s quite smart, contemporary, and ideal for FTBs.

My question is = how much would the parking issue put you off making an offer?
Would you use this to your advantage to offer a significantly lower price?

I’m also thinking of marketing as chain free (and even fully/part furnished!!), as I’m fairly flexible, and wouldn’t mind doing a short term rent to attract sales this way – good idea or not?

sooz

Lack of parking would put me off.
Even now, I have residents' street parking, & am very annoyed when I can't find anywhere near my house to park. To never be able to park would rule the house out for me entirely.
Is there any front garden that could be turned into parking? Have others done this. You don't actually have to do it, but make enquiries if it can be done.
Or is there anywhere you can rent a garage?
If you gave alternative options on the property details, it might be enough to get people through the door.
Is there rear access?
How do you get deliveries? Or unload the car after a big shop?

princeofpounds

Chain free good idea, will help with execution when deals are breaking down all the time at the moment.

Parking, depends totally on where it is. Just price it similarly to non-parking comparatives and not parking ones. To get a quick sale in this market you will need to price it to get attention so you are first in the queue for the buyer. Or you can price higher, get less attention, and accept negotiation when it comes along.

jenny74

It would depend...

For me, it would be a no brainer as we are a 2 car family, however in my younger car/hubby/child free days it would not have bothered me.

So you are narrowing your market somewhat, but there will be someone out there wo doesn't have a car. :-)

Good luck and pop in to the other thread ' To those selling in these difficult times' - lots of friendly people all in a similar boat.

unclebatman

sooz wrote: »

Lack of parking would put me off.
Even now, I have residents' street parking, & am very annoyed when I can't find anywhere near my house to park. To never be able to park would rule the house out for me entirely.
Is there any front garden that could be turned into parking? Have others done this. You don't actually have to do it, but make enquiries if it can be done.
Or is there anywhere you can rent a garage?
If you gave alternative options on the property details, it might be enough to get people through the door.
Is there rear access?
How do you get deliveries? Or unload the car after a big shop?

Some good points raised here - thanks for your input.

I have previously asked the question of the council if the garden wall can be removed, as there is enough room for a small car there. It can. This will be mentioned in the marketing material. No others have done it as mine is the biggest front garden as the end terrace, they get progressively smaller as the terrace continues.

Garages are available to rent approx 5 minutes walk away.

No rear access, I just pull up, slap the ol' hazard lights on for a couple of minutes, and unload the shopping (as I'll do tonight on the way home from work!!)

Question to prospective buyers then - especially FTBs - obviously a no chain property would be of interest, but would the addition of furniture sway you?
Just a thought.

jenny74

unclebatman wrote: »

Question to prospective buyers then - especially FTBs - obviously a no chain property would be of interest, but would the addition of furniture sway you?
Just a thought.

I am not a FTB, BUT if I were and was coming from furnished rented (Or parents) then yes, it would sway me, obviously depending on the style and age etc of the furniture in question.

HTH

sooz

unclebatman wrote: »

Some good points raised here - thanks for your input.

I have previously asked the question of the council if the garden wall can be removed, as there is enough room for a small car there. It can. This will be mentioned in the marketing material. No others have done it as mine is the biggest front garden as the end terrace, they get progressively smaller as the terrace continues.

Garages are available to rent approx 5 minutes walk away.

Get something in writing from the council, to confirm this, should you be asked to prove it. And then make sure that this information is clearly displayed on your house details.
That alone would be enough to change my mind, & look properly at the details.

00ec25

Asa a FTB I purchased a 3 bed end terrace chain free with no parking!!!!
It was exactly what I was looking for.
Parking was high on my list but what I was actually after is exactly what you have to offer, ie I could add value to the property by installing off road parking for the place I bought in an area that otherwise did not have parking, thereby making my house very much more attractive when I came to sell it and move on.

You have the same opportunity for someone for the future. Obviously you should note the comments about getting the council to confirm in writing and also don't overplay the cost of installing parking in case they ask for a reduction in the asking price.

pipo

unclebatman wrote: »

1) My question is = how much would the parking issue put you off making an offer? Would you use this to your advantage to offer a significantly lower price?

2) I’m also thinking of marketing as chain free (and even fully/part furnished!!), as I’m fairly flexible, and wouldn’t mind doing a short term rent to attract sales this way – good idea or not?

3) Question to prospective buyers then - especially FTBs - obviously a no chain property would be of interest, but would the addition of furniture sway you?

My tuppence, if you will indulge me:

1) A lot. When my partner and I were looking we saw a house that we really loved (top-notch finish, etc), but as parking is on a first-come, first-served basis we canned it. You have to be able to ‘guarantee’ that your buyer can park in that viewable area otherwise your market is limited. I would hazard a guess that most FTBs will have a car.

2) Chain free is a good carrot, again because I presume you’re targeting primarily FTBs who almost certainly will want to move in quickly. Not sure about a short-term let though, as anything that is shown up whilst living in the house not covered by a survey (bad neighbours, amount of traffic, chronic stench from a nearby factory (bit of a far-fetched idea but you see where I’m getting at, etc) will potentially decrease your selling power

3) I think most FTBs will also have their own furniture so would be inclined to say “no” to this question. Also, as somebody else alluded to, it all depends on whether your taste matches your buyers’ really.

GDB2222

Furniture: Say it is available to purchase (fairly cheaply). Don't include it, as that would put people off who don't want it.

Parking: Why not actually install parking yourself?

3 bed property = family usually. So, think of mum with 2 small children in tow. She's going to want to park outside, really. So, is this a property that would suit young people, possibly sharers?

In fact 3 bed at 100k-ish might appeal to a BTL'er. Are you right next to the station or in the middle of a big city, in which case parking might not matter?

getmore4less

FTB with/without cars may not realise there is an issue if they have never come across it before in their rental days.

I would also promote all the transport links within walking distance.

Also let the Agents know the best time for viewing when most spaces are available, a lot of FTB will not check the area out at other times.