Blogging my Sale

earner

Yesterday the estate agent called, somebody else wants a viewing immediately. I had to say "no" but it was rearranged for today at 9am.

I spoke to the estate agent to ask "what's wrong with my house, what can I do" and the first one said "nothing, it's lovely, spacious, clean, ALWAYS clean and tidy" and she put me through to the other one who said "It's SO clean and tidy ... but it might be a bit TOO tidy. Maybe mess it up a bit - and flowers and fruit. Put coffee on".

So I ripped through the house like a demon, even painted a wall! Then went shopping. Spent money on a HUGE bag on bright mandarins and a big bag of apples and some seedless grapes + a bunch of flowers (last they had so no choice). Also got a great air freshner. So, £10 poorer, back home to make the house look a bit lived in. Couldn't do the suggested "put coffee on" as I don't have a coffee maker, nor do I understand those strange bags of coffee. I'm an own brand instant person. But I figured the fruit was cheery anyway.

They came round, didn't even look round. The woman said it was the wrong layout and she couldn't work out which walls to knock down to give her what she was after! So all that effort and they didn't go round most of the house. The estate agents HAVE a copy of the floorplans.

Oh well. I know what's for dinner/tea for the next week now.

I just hope I don't forget those flowers in the living room .... or I'll go in there in 2 weeks' time and they'll be in brown water and dead.

Doozergirl

Move the flowers to a room you do live in! Put them next to the PC and enjoy them at least! They're for you as much as anyone.

lynzpower

Couldn't do the suggested "put coffee on" as I don't have a coffee maker, nor do I understand those strange bags of coffee. I'm an own brand instant person. But I figured the fruit was cheery anyway.

Dont blame you, I always think this looks a bit "overstaged" dont waste your money on this sort of silliness I wouldnt.

It sounds like you are doing the right thing though. Was the buyer looking at changing its use then?

earner

All the buyers are looking at changing its use.
Not one has looked to live in my house.
They want to turn it into flats, or start a B&B or have it as a house of multiple occupancy.
To be honest, if somebody bought it, took advantage of the planning permissions, split it into 4 separate homes, they could make £130,000 in 6 months even if they were rubbish at it!

lynzpower

with this in mind then, wouldnt it be an all round better bet to think about sending it to auction? Only it will be more investors there surely? In fact many investors find properties via auction only, they want to acqure the
property quickly ( I think from auction it has to be 28 days no longer to completion)

I mean, at least you will get it over & done with sooner rather than later, and lets face it not one of us actively ejoys living under these conditions.If you place is as unusual as you say it is, then maybe the auction market would suit you better.

Auction viewings generally have one day so everyone would crowd in and nose round. Yes, that wont be pleasant, id sign off work for a day and take myself out and let the auctin staff do the show round, and theres also packs distributed with the all important plans etc in them for people to take.

If it doesnt work, I believe you dont pay much- anyone else know?

Doozergirl

I think it's about £350 +VAT to put into auction in this bit of 'up country'

earner

I can't sign off work for a day. I don't get any days off.
And at auction, things do go for a ridiculously low sum, so I don't think that is the way forward.
I've got a lodger moving in now in 2-3 weeks, might stop me going mad at least.

The lodger is an online friend of mine who has sold his house (at last). His went on the market before mine (last May) and is a good sized 2-bed house in a good location. Took him ages too and it was only about £125k.

Things just move slowly/differently down here.

fivemice

Most houses on the market up here seem to stay on for 6 months plus before selling. Quite a few houses have been on for over a year too. Perhaps the market is just slow nationally rather than down there?

I must say though, you really don't sound happy, maybe it's time to make some big changes? Life is too short, after all.

earner

On Saturday I sacked the current agent. And had 2 others round.
They both were very surprised the house hadn't gone already, especially as it had had so many viewings.
They both suggested I put it on at £265k (down £2.5k) and think it will go quickly (sales talk huh!).

This afternoon I signed an agreement with a new estate agent.

1.75% - got her down from 2%. They wanted 3% for multiple-agency.

So, she's coming over tomorrow to measure up.

Doozergirl

earner wrote:

1.75% - got her down from 2%. They wanted 3% for multiple-agency.

:eek: That's expensive. What did the other agent and your previous agent want, commission wise?

Have you checked all the other agents in the area to see what they charge too?