why can't I sell my house?

Debt_Free_Chick

Rachman wrote:

you are missing the point - the property's not selling - the OP wants to know why - what is the point in not telling the truth - I am sure they would rather hear the harsher truth and have sold up in less time for more money than sit around because no-one had the balls to tell them the truth.

Nail on the head, I think.

My view (FWIW) - either do it up Sarah Beany style, which means spending money to get the required asking price. Or spend no money, but drop the price and market it as "in need of some updating/redecoration".

earwig

what our other houses going for in your street if they are clearing the 3 hundred thousand mark then it not overpriced

stoptheworldIwannagetoff

I asked for comments and that's what I received. Some I have taken on board, some I have taken with a pinch of salt. I have even posted this link to my friends who have now offered me their true opinions too (and offers of help to change things).

How can I get upset by people I have never met, who don't know me and certainly don't know the area I live in. Like I said, the map is deceiving and I have since found out that the sewerage works are now defunct. The industrial estate is more office block than heavy industry and the M25 - thats a bonus being so close to in this part of the world plus I have double glazing that shuts out any outside noise. The railway station is a 10 min walk away that gets into Liverpool Street in 30 minutes, there are shops and a pub within 10 minutes walk and it is actually a desirable area. Hence the variety of housing size/style and prices.

Today I got rid of the piano and next week I have arranged for a friend to come and help me start the painting. I am getting quotes to sort out the front 'dated' crazy paving to give more kerb appeal.

The main comments re the kitchen - on reflection yes, I agree it is dated however, I also agree with Undercoat11 that painted units will look sooooo obvious. I am going to sort out the lino, declutter and remove the 'large breakfast bar' and put in a 'proper' table and chairs as well as skim over the artex and paint the walls.

Will paint the purple bedroom a more neutral shade, remove the so obviously hideous ceiling fan, and rename the loft room as the master bedroom which will also be repainted and remarketed as Master Bedroom with ensuite bathroom.

When all that is done, I will get a new set of pix for the websites and cross my fingers.

Thanks for making me really think about the house and how blase I had become because I got used to it all and just thought that buyers would see past decor and look at potential. That seems to have been the formula in the past but I guess I have to move with the times.

Spendless

stoptheworldIwannagetoff wrote:

I know that one of the main comments (for which I can't do anything about) is that the house is 'top heavy' i.e. it only has 2 main rooms on the ground floor (kitchen/diner) and lounge, but 2 further floors with bedrooms and bathrooms. However, there is great potential to extend at the side or back to add a dining room etc if that is required.

I've gone back and looked again, taking into account what others have said eg front looks like a car park. Again I think this is personal taste, I'd rather have space for several cars than a front that no-one can use. I've hi-lighted what you've said people viewing the house are saying. You are right you can't do anything about the size, but you can make your downstairs appear bigger than it actually is (by re-decorating, removing furniture etc.) IMO I can't see if being said about the hall (even with the piano;) ) cos what do you use it for -though where do you hang coats? Front room doesn't look that small to me, which leaves the kitchen that I have already given my opinion on. Have you had any feed-back about what exactly it is with the downstairs that your viewers don't like?


ETA-You posted your reply as I was making this post. I think what you've said sounds excellent. Keep us posted and Good Luck

Ems*Honie

I dont think 6 viewers since oct is that bad I would agree with making the front more appealing. Ensure the house is clean and fresh for viewers with any clutter stashed away. I always thought that if a property doesn't sell, its because its over priced. So you can spend that money, and your time altering anything like kitchens etc, or you could reduce to a price bracket that allows the buyers to afford their own work, to their own taste. Also, you are sitting above a price bracket, as mentioned before, I would reduce down under the £300,000 mark, just to pick up more 'traffic' in the browse.

Amazing how you can express an opinion without being nasty and insulting? This site gets really shocking, especially this board, (not everyone on it, just some)

Debt_Free_Chick

Spendless wrote:

You are right you can't do anything about the size, but you can make your downstairs appear bigger than it actually is (by re-decorating, removing furniture etc.)

I would take the second smaller sofa out of the living room - or reposition it, if possible so that it doesn't block the patio doors. As you enter the lounge from the hall, could the sofa be positioned on the right, facing the other sofa?

courtjester

Gorgeous_George wrote:

Would it be easier to doctor the photographs digitally?



GG

A doubtless tongue in cheek solution, but for the record this would of course break various advertising laws (misrepresentation) as it would provide a (deliberately) misleading impression of the current state of the property.

virgo149

I've just taken a look at your website ad after reading all the posts here and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. From all the comments here I was expecting a bit of a minger - and it's not!

Yes the kitchen is slightly dated but that's fixable. I would remove the bedroom cupboards if I moved in so that would not put me off. Paint - well anyone can use a paint brush (except my husband that is). And OK, the front isn't brilliant but you have off street parking which has got to be a bonus with 3 car families these days.

Speaking from a recent dip into the house selling and buying market I can tell you there are a lot worse out there. We have taken some tours around some horrors before we found our 'dream home' (now lost but ho hum).

I think I've read you've had some viewings but can't remember what feedback you have been given from your EA's - what are your viewers feedback? If you are not getting any, I would want a serious word with your EA. Plus exposure on rightmove or similar wouldn't do you any harm - that's the only we really used when looking.

Keep it clean and tidy, keep motivated and keep on at your EA's. There is a buyer out there for your house, they just don't know it yet!

Good luck.

barnaby-bear

virgo149 wrote:

I've just taken a look at your website ad after reading all the posts here and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. From all the comments here I was expecting a bit of a minger - and it's not!

I think the point is that the poster wanted full asking price (most properties sell 92-96% ) and he's already turned down a 90% offer. He's also asking 25%over 'ceiling price' for a semi in the road, so whereas people do see past decor they also don't want to pay full whack if lots and lots to do and the more people put off the less competition so the lower the price.

barnaby-bear

stoptheworldIwannagetoff wrote:

I asked for comments and that's what I received. Some I have taken on board, some I have taken with a pinch of salt. I have even posted this link to my friends who have now offered me their true opinions too (and offers of help to change things).
.

Were the friends more open/honest than they would be otherwise?