Low click through rate on Rightmove

paint

Running_Horse wrote: »

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Shepherds+Walk,Bradley+Stoke&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=17.623121,39.331055&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Shepherds+Walk,+Bradley+Stoke,+Bristol,+Avon+BS32,+United+Kingdom&ll=51.535418,-2.552047&spn=0,0.019205&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=51.535363,-2.551927&panoid=0e9-oYo8bYtYKut2Lg02iA&cbp=12,86.54,,0,0.1

Have just seen it on Streetview. Is your house adjoined to that block of flats? No wonder the agent used that angle. But then that is one of the most tightly packed developments I have ever seen. No wonder there are so many primary schols in such a small area.

Wow, I've never seen anything like that before. Can they actually market that as an end terrace, when it's attached on two sides?

anoneemouse

paint wrote: »

Wow, I've never seen anything like that before. Can they actually market that as an end terrace, when it's attached on two sides?

That would be my thoughts too.

Namely that it isn't the photo so much that is the problem. Maybe other people are having the same reaction as I am to it "Yes - I have read the description and can see that it's being described as end terrace. I feel a bit worried about someone describing a house as 'end terrace' when it has more than one unit of accommodation attached to it. 'End terrace' means exactly that - that is there is only one other unit of accommodation attached to it - the next house in the terrace."

I would be worried that the fact that the estate agent had "played with words" to try and make out that it was "end terrace" by virtue of the fact that it had one terrace house attached to it - but it wasn't really 'end terrace' in fact (ie one attached neighbour only) might mean that there was some more 'playing with words' in the description of the rest of the house and I would be wasting my time going to view it in case of that. Plus I would be more concerned than normal to make sure that I pulled out any furniture, etc, sitting up against walls to check in case the furniture had been placed there deliberately hiding a fault in the wall (eg damp).

It's the "trust factor" that is your problem here I think. The estate agent needs to remove the description "end terrace" from the details and then would-be buyers won't think "Trying to pull the wool over our eyes about having more than one attached neighbour. What else might they not be quite straight about?"

Other thoughts:
- the back yard is very unappealing. It needs to be revamped and the description needs to be changed from "garden" to "courtyard garden". Most people seeing the word "garden" picture a garden and not a back yard. To me - garden means there is a reasonable size patch of grass and some shrubs growing round the outside. I can translate "courtyard garden" into "You mean it's a yard then". However, the trust factor comes in again to see a yard described as a "garden".

- the colour the house is painted. Mustard - yuk! Most people would be factoring in work and expense to get the house repainted white and might not be prepared to do that for a first time buyer house.

So - my summary of changes necessary is:
- have the words "end terrace" removed from the description (it's misleading)
- have the house painted white
- revamp the back yard
- use the words "courtyard garden" to describe the back yard and stop calling it a "garden", because it isn't.
- remove that "feature wall" wallpaper in the sitting room. That will only fit with the tastes of a small minority of people. Most people will be instantly trying to picture that wall with the wallpaper ripped off and replaced with a plain neutral-coloured painted wall.

BeauBelle

I think your house is very nicely presented. I do agree that it shouldn't be described as an end terrace.

I like the presentation of the rooms, the feature wall wouldn't put me off, if someone wants to change it then they can when they buy it. Not expensive to strip one wall of wallpaper and paint if wanted.

The colour of the house is fine IMO. It matches the rest of the estate and you may find there is a clause that you cannot change the colour to anything else if the developer wants to keep the look of the estate the same.

The garden could do with some TLC, maybe paint the fence on the right, sweep the path etc. I think its a garden though certainly not a courtyard which to me says concrete and nothing else. I could happily let my kids out there to play in the garden as its big enough.

Anyone that thinks a house is going to be totally to their taste when they buy and not have something to do is looking for the impossible IMO. If I were viewing houses I would be looking at the size of the rooms and not the way in which they are decorated.

Can't comment on how well its priced as I don't know your area at all but I wish you all the best in selling.

BB

sooz

Well, your click through rate will have improved now

Your house looks ok. The garden could use a tidy, but there is nothing hideous in the pics.

But your house is not an end terrace, it's attached on the side your agent is claiming 'end' to a block of flats!! If the listing lies about something so obvious it does make me wonder what else is not true....

hazyjo

I agree about not changing the colour, and don't change the decor. It's fine.

Know you've not really asked for critique, but if you're happy for another opinion, I think you're right about the first pic - you need to see more. It's too close up and you need to see what's next to it. It's not end of terrace (I agree with others there too). From the RM pic, the green at the bottom just looks like weeds (probably not, but it is what it looks like). I thought there was a something green in a hanging basket, but have realised it's the top of a tree in a black pot. The pale green doesn't do it any favours. I'd lose the tree and just put some low height coloured flowers in.

I do think the layout inside could do with changing and it would be good to define the dining and living spaces, having maybe the back of the sofa backing on to the dining table. It's a corner sofa so can't really see what's on the opposite wall to see if it could go there. The table's ever so squashed into a corner and I'd rather see that in the middle of the dining space. Lose the dresser if you have to - it could go in someone's garage or storage temporarily, I'm sure...

I think there might also be a bit of a hitch in that it's a bit top heavy, as in 3 beds and 2 bathrooms, yet only the kitchen and a medium sized living space downstairs (and loo). If it's priced at the top end of what the 2 beds go for, someone would be lucky enough to gain a third bedroom that they weren't expecting. If it's priced in the middle or high side of what the 3 beds go for, you might have problems...

Saying all that, I think your main problem has to be price (mainly cos of the fact the downstairs would be more reflective of a 2 bed house IMO).

Good luck!

Jx

celyn90

I clicked on virtual tour and it just gave me the floorplans.

I think you need to take the first shot from further back so people can see more of the enviroment.

I like your decor, I think it's lovely

I don't think it looks like an end terrace either.

cel x

jonewer

Right OP.

You can completely ignore everything said above. We are talking about click-throughs here, not a fine examination of your taste in wallpaper, how attached the house is, size and insolation of back garden etc. None of these will be apparent if people arent making a twitch of one finger to click on your ad in the first place.

Right? So whats wrong.....

Looking at rightmove, yours is on a page of houses where it is one of only 2 terraces. The remainder are semis. Why click on a terrace when you're in semi territory already?

The problem is that your house is to priced well into the semi-detached price range.

On another note, I'm quite suprised you have had any viewing at all. Your house seems to have some fairly serious drawbacks including being attached to a block of flats and a rather mean back garden. There are houses like this one

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-18315240.html

That are substantially cheaper and seem to offer a great deal more (semi, decent garden, garage) without the drawbacks.

I'd be quite suprised if you sold without a very big reduction in price, but stranger things have happened.

Good luck.

Running_Horse

jonewer wrote: »

Right? So whats wrong.....

Nothing is wrong.

The OP has had 7 viewings, which in the current market suggests everyone who wants to view this type of house in this price range has done so. This whole clickthrough thing sounds like confusion from an agent, when the real problem is the quiet market.

In a faster market, the overhanging roof of a neighbouring block of flats might not be such a problem. But right now buyers are incredibly cautious and selective. I wouldn't buy next to a block of flats, possibly full of BTLs, because of noise. Blame John Prescott for demanding so many houses per acre when in office, while living in a mansion himself.

nic_santorini

I like your decor, particularly your feature wall. Where did you get that wallpaper? See it is just personal taste, I like it, someone else did not. Don't want a bland house, however, the garden blue fence needs to go, it looks cheap and nasty. The courtyard garden advice was really good. I too, don't like the colour of the front of the house, but that again is personal. Good luck and oh, who jumped on your bed covers before they took the photo (white bed covers), looks like someone has done a superman dive in the middle of your bed.

fwiw

Running Horse.

The agent does pay extra for the Premium Listing.

The RRP is £125 but the agents may be able to offer discounts or different pricing. In terms if performance it is not a silver bullet but it [FONT=&quot]will get you 34% more views of your prop details and 21% more enquiries (on average)[/FONT]

Other stuff that may be useful to the OP (bit salesy as it's from Rightmove but as it's based on their data it at least rings true):

A picture speaks a thousand words: the main photo is by far the most crucial element of your property listing. If the main image is not strong, your property may be overlooked by potential buyers. If the outside of your house isn’t as pretty as it might be (after all, not everyone has white picket fences and rose bushes round the front door!), try an internal shot of the best room in the house, or an impressive view from one of the bedrooms perhaps. Make sure that all the pictures show your property in its best light; tidy up, put the kids toys away, arrange some flowers, plump up the cushions. If you think your photos could be better (or if it’s the middle of summer and your photos show your house covered in snow), give your agent a call. They’ll be happy to advise and update your pictures.


It’s all in the wording: your property is in direct competition with lots of other properties so as well as having a great photo, it’s important that the features of your property jump out when users are scanning down the list. A good property description is short, to the point and relevant. Make the plus-points about your property really stand out. If it’s a great property for a commuter then highlight the fact that it’s close to the tube station or maybe it’s a family home in the catchment area of a popular local school. Consider carefully what the selling points of your house are (cast your mind back to what made you buy it in the first place) and make sure these points shout out from the screen.


Ring the changes: do remember that when people are seriously searching for property, they will frequently just scan the property pages. They do this quickly and regularly and if they see the same property again and again, there’s a high chance it’ll be ignored. Changing the pictures and/or re-writing the description can be really effective at stopping regular home-hunters in their tracks and getting them to look again at your property.


There are two useful things to look into when deciding on what your house is worth. The first thing to do is some research into what similar properties are on the market for in your local area (this will show you the other properties your potential buyers are looking at as well as yours). Secondly, look at what properties are actually selling for. The Rightmove price comparison report will help you do both these things. Just click on the link, enter your postcode and off you go…
Put yourself in your potential buyers’ shoes, you need to make sure you have the best priced property they can find. If interest in your property has waned, you can use these tools to review the asking price and then speak to your agent to double-check that your price is still competitive and realistic.