On market for nearly 5 weeks but no viewings

Thrugelmir

I know it's a difficult market to sell in at the moment,

Within a few hundred yards. There's 2 bed terrace, two 3 bed semi, a 4 bed semi, a 3 bed detached and a 4 bed detached. All have been on the market for between 3 and 8 months. The market has dried up.

So plenty of property to choose from in Swindon.

KaratePigeon

Thanks - the estate agent didn't seem like photography was their strong point But they said it'd be ok for us to take our own photos and send them so I think we will do that (after a weekend of intense home improvement!)

The garden office is a really good one, cost us £10k, and is insulated to a high standard and all wired up with electrics, security light etc, which is why we were hoping it'd add some value to the house - but seem to be getting mixed opinions on whether anyone wants that sort of thing so maybe it doesn't. I think we should leave it as apart from the cost it'd be a hassle to get it moved - but it does feel a bit like money down the drain now.

Yeah, a pretty slow market in Swindon, thought it was like that everywhere now though.

halfone

There were a load of '1 double + 1 single' bedroomed houses built in North Wilts in the early 1990s. On first glance, yours looks like one of those. I'd say move some of the furniture in the little 'uns bedroom to make it absolutely obvious that second is a double, and, like BitterAndTwisted said, a floor plan would help with making that clearer.

Incidentally, I think your estate agents' description is pretty good - emphasising the 'courtyard' development and the fact it's two double bedrooms.

The 3-beds you've mentioned you’re competing against are not just in not-so-good areas, they're often tending to be slightly older properties. If you get the clutter out, you'll be able to show that yours is a properly modern house, which is a clear selling point.

Best of luck, and there are some first time buyers still out there, for the record…

inspirespirit

Just had another look and the fact you have a conservatory and office, makes the house a good buy, in my opinion. Definitely take your own pics. Try to make the conservatory look functional as opposed to somewhere to keep the birds. Move the kids toys out of the garden and make the office more of a feature, with the table and chairs outside (maybe lay the outside table with some picnicky type stuff). You have to make people 'want' your lifestyle.
I would move your inside table and chairs into the conservatory and 'dress' it. (then just move it back when you have photographed it).

Have agood weekend. I think you are going to be busy, but will be worth it to sell you property.

KaratePigeon

Thanks for the great suggestions, I'll definately do those things

Orpheo

Lower the price.

tiernsee

I think the home office is a definite plus and should be included in the sale and could make the difference between your property and similar properties. I am glad you have cleaned the conservatory roof that was the first thing I noticed in the photos. Would also suggest that you try and get brighter pictures of the interior - it all looks a little gloomy.

If I was looking for a property like this the conservatory, office and garden size (without the added toys ) would be very appealing and entice me to view.

Good luck

pinkshoes

Photo 1 - The grass at the front looks a little unloved, and conservatory roof looks filthy, and could you not try and take it on a sunny day?! (sunshine makes any property look more cheerful!). Perhaps even a plant out the front? It just looks a little drab.

Photo 2 - looks ok, but would perhaps look better taken with lights on.

Photo 3 - Remove bird cages for the photo, as they make it looked cramped!

Photo 4 - looks ok.

Photo 5 - Kids toys imply that there is no storage space.

Photo 6 - Put the kids toys away, even if it's just for the photo!!

Photo 7 - kitchen looks a little dark, so take on a sunnier day, and perhaps put the lights on.

Photo 8 - Blurred! (but nice Lamaze play mat - my DS loves his!)

Photo 9 - De-clutter!

Photo 10 - De-clutter!

Photo 11 - I like the angle, but would look better taken on a sunny day.

Sun is forecast for tomorrow, so time to get the camera out!

A floorplan is definitely needed too.

Price-wise it seems absolutely fine. I just think the photos look very average and blah, so nothing drawing people to come and view it.

globetraveller

I wouldn't worry too much about the childrens' bedroom but def get rid of the toys elsewhere. Your living room looks a bit dark but in general the interior looks fine. Your main problems( can't comment on price) are the quality of the photos, the state of the garden area and almost totally ignoring one of the best features- your office.
My tips
spend a couple of hours painting that fence, clean the filthy conservatory roof and what is that white pipe beside the door? Doesn't look very good so colour it to match the house stone(kerb appeal)
declutter
photos of interior of office and market that feature for all its worth.
get weed killer for the patio stones. Clear away the toys just for the photo. These are all things your EA should have advised you to do.

main tip- change your EA.
The photos are very poor quality and its not an excuse that photos are not their strongpoint- they absolutely should be.
The photo of the consevatory- why did they focus on the bird cages? Is the other side of it even worse? And if it is - then that is easily fixed.
They should have advised you that an office which cost you £10000 is not something you throw in if the price is right. That is what you do with white goods, not buildings.
Finally - are you sure they are actively marketing it?
Good luck!

Pupnik

Agree with the comments about the darkness, they all look gloomy especially the exterior one with the storm cloud looming! Clean the conservatory roof and take a new picture on a nice day. Declutter the other rooms and again, wait for a break in the clouds and some sunshine. Do you have some roofspace you could chuck those toys into? Or a friend's garage?

I'd leave the office and not put down the price just yet. Having only 2 bedrooms might make it seem small at first but a lot of people want an extra bedroom to use as a study which they can do with the summerhouse- good for anyone who wants to work from home. I'm thinking not just first time buyers but perhaps older people who want to downsize too, but still have the space for their stuff and lifestyle. I think it would be worth checking that your EAs are pointing it out to people who might be asking for 3 bedrooms in case they want 2 bedrooms and a study, the trouble with the property sites is people search by bedrooms so yours wouldn't show up on a 3 bedroom search even though it may be suitable for some of those people searching, but there's not really anything you can do about that except to make sure the EAs are letting people know about the extra non-bedroom space you have.