19 viewings, no success

gloomynorth

Good evening MSE. I'm looking for some advice on selling my flat, and hope you can help.

It's a ground floor flat on Tyneside, identical layout to every other one in the area. Unfortunately I bought back in 2006 and was almost certainly conned... however, I've taken this into account and dropped my asking price down to £60k (about a 20% loss) to facilitate a quick move.

The place has been completely neutralised, repainted and decluttered. Kitchen, bathroom, boiler and double-glazing all 5 years old. No onward chain.

It seems competitively priced, with identical properties on the market for 20k more... and these flats usually let for £400-450 pcm.

19 viewings since the end of March, and no success.... Any ideas?

go_cat

If you post a right move link we can critique your flat if you want

savingmummy

Sounds like you`ve done everything i always advise, de clutter to make rooms look spacey, make rooms look light, clean and spacious.

Is the surrounding area nice ie no burnt out cars laying about the street:rotfl:

Have you had feedback on the viewings you`ve had already?

gloomynorth

Ha ha, I think that might just push me over the edge

I know I've got cheap furniture and it's hardly The Ritz, but I assume the sheer volume of viewings I've been getting means the price is right?

Feedback usually centres on two areas:
1) "It's too dark inside"... but it's already painted white/ magnolia and as I say, they're all identical.
2) Clients "don't like the area".. again, not much I can do about that. There are worse areas around here.

go_cat

What has your estate agent go to say for themselves? Are they actively marketing it ? If the price is indeed £20k below comparable houses then they should be knocking down your doors to view on price alone??

ETA how long have you been on the market?

savingmummy

Do you have any pics or rightmove link?

Furnishings don`t matter. Potential buyers are literally looking through furniture to be honest.

Maybe more lighting is needed to remove the dark look... Side table lamps, lighter window dressings, Mirror on the wall to reflect light, furniture away from windows.

gloomynorth

EA just keep telling me they can't understand why it hasn't sold yet... not much help. I'm considering sacking them (28 days notice applies), but they're certainly getting people through the door.

Several work colleagues have houses up for sale, getting only one viewing every few months. Obviously nothing is selling... They keep telling me that I should be thankful for the viewings, but I'd be a helluva lot more thankful if someone bought it!

Forgot to mention, I had an offer of £67k (asking price £69 950) a month after putting it up for sale.. but the guy lost his mortgage deal the next day under peculiar circumstances. Most people claim to like the flat, just nobody offering.

go_cat

I know you may not want to but by putting a link we can offer good advice on pictures, layout etc its hard to say why something isn't selling without seeing it

gloomynorth

I'm not allowed to post links so you'll have to decifer this-
right move: property-30516613

(round of applause for the twigs-in-a-vase and the sateen bedspread, thank you)

go_cat

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-30516613.html

go_cat

Ignoring the sateen bedspread

I would personally remove the red rug in the lounge it does make it seem dark .. although i know it co-ordinates with your feature walls

Very confused by the curtains in the bathroom especially when it is proper bathroom glass .. does it get cold in there?

Second bedroom lovely

The yard - is it shared? Could do with some TLC flowers / pots / hanging baskets

This is being picky from a outsiders point of view

Good luck with selling