Whats wrong with my house? Desperate to Sell

spoodz

Hi,

Been on the market for 3 weeks (I know, not long). Had around 10 viewings, feedback such as 'beautiful house, not for us though', 'too big', 'Its gorgeous, doesn't need anything doing'. Nothing negative, but the offers havent exactly been rolling in. Not had anyone view this week at all - seems the initial rush is over.

We've found a property we love, and have jumped the gun a bit by putting in an offer, which has been accepted. I've attached a link which should hopefully show a slide show of pictures of the house we're selling.

Its a 3 bed end terraced, one of only two 3 bed properties on the street, the rest are 2 bed terraced. The street is quiet compared to the adjoining main road, which has similiar sized properties up for £5k more.

Is there anything in the pics that makes you think 'urgh, not like the look of that much' ? The property is competatively priced IMO - the street parallel has a 2 bed up for 5k less than ours!

Any tips for a quick sale? or am I just being impatient? Our last house was sold within 3 days - this one hasn't really taken off the same.

Link: http://img156.imageshack.us/slideshow/player.php?id=img156%2F7947%2F1150465354eyh.smil

Vincenzo

Spoodz,

Not sure where the house is so difficult to comment. I have experience in the residential and commercial property industries and I can tell you there is one thing and one thing only that prevents a house from selling. PRICE.

On average, in a healthy market it should not take more than 20 viewings to sell a house (provided they are not 20 timewasters!), so you might be jumping the gun a little. A good agent will be able to get offers on a good property even when it is overpriced, although not above market value.

How many agents did you get in to value the property? What values did they give you and what price are you on at?

Also you say you have had an offer accepted. Presumably the vendors who have accepted your offer are still marketing their property? I find it hard to believe anyone would agree to sell exclusively to someone who is not in a position to buy.

Hope that helps.

wigginsmum

It's a lovely house - I'd change the bathroom suite and the colour of presumably the kids' bedrooms eventually, but I could live with all of it as it is. The only thing that would really put me off would be the small garden, but then I'm a keen gardener and a large garden is a priority for me.

spoodz

The house is in BL8, up for 124950. Had 3 agents in that all went for the same price, just below stamp duty. Yes the property we have an offer in on is still being marketed.

I'm not sure how healthy the market is - I've notice for sale boards that have stood for quite some time, but the houses I would consider to be in direct competition tend to be on main roads.

lynzpower

the other thing to note is IS MUCH SELLING? People are maybe sitting tight & worrying about interest rates and the like and waiting to see how it all pans out?

Vincenzo

Spoodz,

Just had a quick look at the area (being a Friday afternoon!). Without doing a detailed analysis, I'd say you are probably just a little impatient (understandably now that you have found your next home).

As to what you can do to speed things up.....keep putting pressure on the agent. Make sure your property is the first one they think of when talking to applicants. Keep an eye on what is on the market and how quickly they are selling - speak to your agent about this. Most agents will tell you the truth if you ask in the correct way!!

If you can't bare to lose the house you want then drop the price 5k, I suspect it will sell pretty quickly then. Alternatively tell your agent that you will be willing to consider offers. This will ensure they don't turn people away who may be interested but cannot go to £125k.

hollydays

What is the parking situation?

jimmmyc

HI, I had the same thing with mine, took a few weeks then suddenly a lot of viewings over 1 weekend, 2 good offers at the same price which we accepted. But now they have pulled out, so very annoyed. We have been back on the market about 2 weeks and it seems quiet again.
Your house looks great, does it have os parking, ours doesn't and it seems to put some people off.
Where did you get the TV cabinet unit or did you make it yourself looks very good?

Goodluck!

silvercar

your house looks great. No grass in the garden may put people off.

Also if yours is one of the few 3 beds in the road it might have reached the ceiling for the road.

I'm sure it will sell soon.

VickyA_2

silvercar wrote:

your house looks great. No grass in the garden may put people off.

Same here.

In addition, I'd change the bathroom suite. Sorry

And I know this sounds silly, but maybe some people can't see past the colours of your children's bedrooms - even though it's an easy thing to paint over. You see those property programmes where buyers walk into a child's bedroom and makes some comment that would take a pot of paint to deal with.

Here's me talking and we're only going to look round our first property (ever) to buy :j :j tomorrow. Well, we're seeing what is out there....

F_T_Buyer

I've just had a quick look, and your house looks fine! The one thing i would question is the parking. Where do you park? I would assume this is on a road? The price, to be honest, seems reasonable to other properties (on rightmove), and this is represented by the number of viewings you have had.

With regards to actual selling prices, they do look a bit less than asking (http://www.houseprices.co.uk/e.php?q=BL8+2PU&n=10). Therefore maybe the asking prices in the area are just far too high compared to local wages.

One thing I would like to see (with every property, not just yours) is a floor plan. It's rather annoying not seeing one, as I would have to visit a house to see if a particular piece of furnature fits. but that's just me!

On a general note, I would say buyers are now starting to worry about rising rates and rising unemployment. I have noticed sentiment is slowly turning, and now there is no hurry to get on the 'ladder'. Therefore you need to look to see how many other sales are happening in your area.