House on the market - opinions please

Quirky6000

I had originally want to do a part ex with bellway but that didn't work out in the end so I decided to get my house on the market. It's been advertised for almost two weeks now and I've had no word about any interest. I'd appreciate it if anyone would take a look and see if there's anything that could be done better, worded differently, better photos etc.

http://www.vebra.com/property/10920/19616819

cheers folks

Craig

Fire_Fox

Two weeks is not so long; are you confident you have chosen the best estate agent? Have you looked at land registry sold prices (not 'for sale' prices) for similar sized properties on your street or estate? In general the house looks clean, uncluttered, newly decorated and generally very well presented.

However ... Is there anything you can do with the rear garden? It's currently reminiscent of a northern yard, can you add a few evergreen pot plants? Ideally try to find some fast growing climbers for the back fence, tho obviously the seasons are very much against you! You might ask for advice from the Greenfingered board on how to bring in some long lasting colour and texture in at this time of year (post your garden photo in the OP). If possible also a small table and two chairs.

Cannon_Fodder

A family would go for the 3-beds within 1/4 mile, for the same money.

A singleton would go for the mid-terrace for £10k cheaper...

This one http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-26385584.html was £10k cheaper, its now £20k cheaper...ok its a couple of streets away and might need a new bathroom, but £20k...!?

Quirky6000

The only place we could really put a small table and chairs is in the kitchen which we already have. I know the garden isn't great, thats what it looks like after a lot of tidying up. I know we could do more but like you say the weathers not exactly on our side at the moment. We spent a while decorating the entire house and did our best to make the garden presentable. I'll have a look into getting some colour in there somewhere.

Quirky6000

We've only put the house up for that price because a couple of estate agents said that would get a quick sale. The one a couple of streets away may be bigger and cheaper but if you knew the area you'd know why. That side of the main road is council.

Cannon_Fodder

Is this one on the non-council side of road?
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-22274722.html

Just dropped £5k today...

An extra bedroom for no more money - families on a budget will prefer to get the space upfront and do the re-decoration themselves over time.

or

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-26366900.html
mid-terrace but an extra bedroom...for £50. And a really nice garden for kids...


Unless you have to move urgently, sit on the price until after Xmas, but then you will probably need to consider reviewing it.

Lounge doesn't appeal. Would the space work with the sofa against the stairs, a chair by the radiator, TV in the corner by the kitchen door, instead of hidden under the stairs...?

Just psychologically, not to be facing the stairs, which seems weird, for some (possibly irrational) reason. And with a bit of an L shape to the seating, it would help the "sitting round, family friendly" vibe.

Doozergirl

I'd take out the pic of the second bedroom perhaps until your EA feels the need to invest in a wide angle lens. I'm guessing it is vey small but that pic really is making it look that way!

Also, you should be dressing that room with a single bed because peopleare going to ask if a single even fits if you only have a chair in there. You'd be amazed at how little some people can visualise. I'd also change that pic of the lounge with the front door and stairs - it make it look like a hallway - I know it's normal in these houses but the EAs pics don't do much for the sense of space.

Otherwise it looks fine. Quite a typical new build interior, you need something to grab people, whether it's price or design. The market must be slowing down for Christmas by now as well.

Hopejack

Hi - I'm not far from you - in North end of Whitley Bay! I believe M L are a v good agents and v proactive but never used them myself.

House looks good - I do agree about the sofa facing the stairs. But I'm guessing you have your TV aerial point under the stairs and that is why it's there? If not, then I would consider moving TV unit to by radiator under the window or even other corner where you currently have a freestanding light (?) and move your sofa to the stair wall. It may be that you can't get in the door very well but have a go....

I agree about table/chairs out on patio area of the garden - will also help hide the patio which isn't the best tbh. But then like others have said it's not the season really for outdoor showing off! As it's a starter home, most youngish couples won't be looking for a green fingered garden imo.

Also, is it worth injecting a bit of colour into your bathroom - say a coloured glass vase or something funky on your windowsill and maybe matching towels/mats about?

How has Seghill been doing on the whole with house prices? I've no idea but do know it's not a hotspot as opposed to somewhere like Tynemouth for instance - round here seem to sell quite quickly on the whole - some going the day they go up for sale but then there are others sticking - either wrongly priced or need lots doing etc.

Have you spoken to ML to ask why no-one has viewed - I'm sure they'll say it's the time of year blah!

Good luck - let us know how you get on I'm going to be in the 'same boat' early next year - selling our house down at Royal Quays on the Marina - don't fancy buying it do you lol??? Oh, just read you are wanting to buy a Bellway house - where abouts?

Finally, did you haggle your estate agent fee down? I ask because I think a friend of my Mum's haggled ML down a bit - will try it myself if we go with them lol!

Sorry being nosey

SGE1

I actually think it looks ok. I've seen a lot worse.

A few pots and plants might be nice in the garden - it does look a bit bare at the moment.

Can't comment on price though.

nic_santorini

I think it looks ok, clean and tidy and not cluttered, the garden is bare but its tidy and its the winter anyway. To me its a bargain but I am in the rip off south where you can get a garage for that kind of money. Hence why we live in shoeboxes. Very difficult time of the year to sell, but if you think it is worth it, stick it out.

beccad

Your estate agent seems to have taken pictures of furniture rather than rooms! The second bedroom, could you get a bed in there? The current photo makes it look as if it wouldn't fit a bed. Your main bedroom, just a photo of the bed - can't see anythign of the bedroom! Your sitting room has been photographed in such a way that it looks a bit like you've stuck a sofa in the hall. I appreciate it's only a small house, but it could be photographed much better. You also need to have a table and chairs in your kitchen - you don't have an eating area. Did you have the lights on when the photos were taken? It all looks rather gloomy.

Looks like a nice little house in good decorative order, just needs some better photographs. I'd get onto your agent ASAP.