To those selling in these difficult times Part Deux. AKA sellers support network!

dawn1974

My house has been on the market 8 week's tomorrow.

calmspirit

oh pawpurrs ...... how on earth so you stay so calm......or at least how do you stay sober!

thinking of you as you know I have been there done that and got 3 t-shirts!

it's all SO close for you now !!!

xxxx

I,_Geek

Hi,

Be prepared, this is a long one...

Currently trying to sell my flat (well, technically it is my fiancee's) and we've both gone from 'realistic' to 'frustrated' to 'utterly baffled' over the past 2 months that our house has been on the market. Nobody we know is on the market/buying at the moment so it's hard to get an outsider's perspective on the situation - which is why I came here.

The basics:

Price
- £130k in spring 2007 - 30 viewings between then and summer 2008. No second viewings and no offers. We never said "over 130" or that we wouldn't accept a penny less. Never got any clear feedback on why people didn't want to view again or offer. Someone said they wanted a flat without a communal entrance (so that would be a basement or an ugly fire escape-type entrance?). Price was reasonable - basement flat sold for £130 and it's comparable to ours. Arguably it's worse because the bedrooms don't have windows, potential damp and drainage problems, more likely to be broken into.
- £117k in summer 2008 - reduced price after viewings dried up. Got no more viewings.
- £105k in May 2009 (new estate agent - don't get me started on the last one) - EA valued at £105-110. More than we expected and we wanted to move fast, so went for lower end of valuation. No viewings.
- £99,950 in Jun 2009 - still no viewings.

Property
- 2 bed flat in Victorian terrace house with original features - very high ceilings, bay window, wood panelling, ceiling rose. Large rooms you just can't get for this price in a new flat. I know new/old properties have their pros and cons but we only got positive comments about the age and character of the house.
- Nice view onto old church at front, set back from road, few mins walk from city centre, in the "posh" part of town, secure off-street parking, all 4 flat-owners in the building own the freehold (no third parties are involved), neutrally decorated, house next door is offices so it's quiet all the time. I keep the front garden tidy if anyone drives by to check out the area.

We've been told our asking price is very reasonable and it is comparable to similar flats in the area. Some flats are still asking 20-30k more than we are. There are not so many flats on that you couldn't possibly view them all. We find ourselves saying, "Well, for whatever reason people don't want to view us..." and then going, "But what reason?!!"

At the very least we hoped that viewings would allow us to get feedback - if not an offer, but we haven't even had that. It's not as if I think our flat is perfect, but there is nothing catastrophically wrong with it. In the photos it looks like a warm, tasteful home - even got the cat to pose on the settee.

The flat would be good for rental - professionals or students - so we also expected some interest from investment buyers.

So does anyone else have a presentable house that doesn't get people through the door (or just one or two)?

I don't know if this is possible, but maybe those of us in this position who would like feedback could point each other to their property on Rightmove? Even though it's not the same as a viewing, our particulars clearly aren't doing the job of bringing people in so we could suggest to each other what might be putting people off.

Emmzi

many people post their rightmove links on this board. feel free but you might get more feedback starting your own thread.

ognum

I really feel for all you selling, I am selling and hateing it. So far been on the market 10 days, 12 viewings, 2 second viewings another second viewing booked this week.
What I find difficult is how much to 'sell' the house and how much to just answer questions. What I do do is take people through the house and then leave them when we get upstairs to have a look back through by themselves.
Some people are completely monosylabic others are gushing, the ones that gush are usually the least interested I think.
Oh dear I am confused by it all and just fed up with it and Im only 10 days in to what I feel is going to be a long haul, any advice would be really useful.
Good luck to all trying to exchange.

Tibbie's_mum

Having slagged off our EA yesterday, we've just had an offer from cash buyers wanting a holiday home, it's 10% below asking and not acceptable, but at least it's an offer and a starting point.

Davesnave Do you know of any smallholdings or places with land on the market round our way, that I might not have come across?

kymie

Had AWFUL feedback from the last viewers,so much so I spent most of yesterday crying in despair. The EA started off with something like 'we have to pass on feedback,and its not anything we comment on but...' so I knew it wasnt going to be positive but the best thing they said was the house was in 'utter chaos' and it went downhill from there. I pointed out to the EA that not all of what was said was true (yes there is some drawing on the bedroom walls but I only repainted the hallway the night before so knew that was clear) but that still didnt make me feel any better. I didnt think in this day and age that painting was such a big issue - I would prefer a new boiler and new shower to cleanly painted walls anytime. I cant drop the price anymore and there are no more viewers in sight. I was sooo depressed yesterday but had a small ray of sunshine when hubby and No1 son came up for a surprise visit - I wasnt expecting them til end of August!
On another note - Davesnave or anyone who has bought over distance, did you use a solicitor local to where you sold or where you bought? We have a solicitor in Sussex who moved us twice in 2 years with both being completed in 6 weeks, and so wondered if its worth doing the work with her or if it should be with a local firm up here?
Still thinking of you Pawpurrs! Good luck everyone else too!

tootsmyboots

Our update - had an offer 15k below our bottom line. Our bottom line price was met by our buyer who dropped out. The survey came in at the same price that we need/accepted first time round. I dont believe they will up the offer so the wait continues. Hope everyone is ok.

Davesnave

Sorry to hear about your feedback kymie. I have just been on another thread writing about cosmetic issues with houses, which for me are unimportant, or I wouldn't have bought what I just took possession of today! But some folk can't see past their noses.......

I have mixed feelings on solicitors. For the past 22 years of sales/purchases we've used the same firm of dotty ladies here and had competent, cheap, no-frills service from them. Often, I've been unable to reach them directly by phone though.

This time, as it was an agricultural property, I decided to go with a firm in Devon that specialised. At first they were good, but then the main man fell ill and he was replaced by a lady who sounded exactly the same as the one I last used up here! It was simply luck that she was also the neighbour's solicitor, which was useful, because a shared right of way had to be re-defined and she had some working knowledge of the area already.

Normally, I dont think it matters where your solicitor is, relative to the property. It's just important that they know their stuff & are available. I would say go with someone you know & trust.

Emmzi

sorry about your feedback kymie. I tend to be a lazy buyer and on my own so i say "send me to immaculate places I can just plonk my furniture in."

But then I expect to pay more for them, you can't have both!!! I really wouldn't stress if it is generally clean, someone will be able to look past it, mentally take off a few quid to repaint, and be very happy!