Can't sell our house..

The_Palmist

I am sure you have taken notes from the million replies earlier, one last thing. Please make sure the EAs are using a proper camera, looks to me that they are using their phone to take pictures of your house.

Mandog

Can someone remind me why we pay agents a chunk of the sale price, often £1000s?

It's not their job to advise the homeowner on presenting or pricing their home. It's not their job to take decent pics. It's not their job to know fundamental things about the area like schools and transport links, and hone their patter to the particular viewer.

I'm not in the slightest knocking the good advice on this board - the OP obviously has to be proactive given that the agent isn't.

puddy

why are people being so harsh? OP has asked for advice, taken that advice in good humour, made plans to change things over the next week or so and invite the EA back.

there was a discussion amongst other posters about whose responsibility it was to inform vendors that their house looked a mess or was not fit for purpose and someone mentioned that the OP should have tided up - that it wasnt down to the EA to tell her to change things in the house

the OP simply questioned that view and asked whether it was appropriate to get next to no advice at all from the EA about decor, desirability, the market etc etc

she wasnt moaning and asking more questions, give her a break!

m00m00

it's not just the pictures

ANY OFFERS FOR THIS PROPERTY MUST BE QUALIFIED BY OUR IN-HOUSE FINANCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

that would ensure you wouldn't get a viewing from me, if I was in the market in that area.

googler

Mandog wrote: »

It's not their job to advise the homeowner on presenting or pricing their home.

Generally speaking, it is. However, since this one seems to be failing in that respect, it's appropriate to direct the OP to other sources of advice, including that in this thread.

Mandog wrote: »

It's not their job to take decent pics.

Generally speaking, it is. But I don't see that any of the problems with the pics here would be resolved either by a better camera, different flash or other lighting, since they're not photographic problems. They're problems of presentation, and the OP should be looking to sort the presentation before the photographer arrives, such that all he needs do is point and click with a half-decent compact or SLR.

Mandog wrote: »

It's not their job to know fundamental things about the area like schools and transport links, and hone their patter to the particular viewer.

It is, generally, but what's that got to do with the presentation on RM or other websites?

DannyboyMidlands

m00m00 wrote: »

it's not just the pictures



that would ensure you wouldn't get a viewing from me, if I was in the market in that area.

A very good point. I wouldn't view it either. If vendors want to shoot themselves in the foot like that then so be it, there's plenty more fish in the sea.

I find it funny when EA's try to dress up the same kind of vetting/sales pitch as a chance to get on their "prefered buyers" list. What rot.

googler

puddy wrote: »

why are people being so harsh?

Because, after five pages of advice on what needs to be done, the OP says "but I asked the EA what to do, and they didn't tell me anything"

Re-read #89, 90 and 91

It's clear what needs to be done, and it doesn't involve asking the EA for advice.....

puddy

googler wrote: »

Because, after five pages of advice on what needs to be done, the OP says "but I asked the EA what to do, and they didn't tell me anything"

Re-read #89, 90 and 91

It's clear what needs to be done, and it doesn't involve asking the EA for advice.....

she was merely expressing her frustration at that, not dismissing the advice given on here

Scully38

doolallygal wrote: »

But I did ask the estate agent for advise, and they almost seem too worried to say anything for fear of being rude. But I have said please tell me what I need to do. I said that I won't be offended, and when you live with something for so long, it gets very hard to see past it, which is why you want the estate agents to be completely honest. Maybe they just can't do that...

We all know how hard it is to sell your property and remove clutter without making it appear barren, I know i'm selling my house and spent weeks decluttering it, getting cleaners in, boxing things up, painting and decorating. So I know how hard it is to be objective, but trust me it's worth doing all those things. If your EA won't tell you, get a friend in, or a neighbour, someone you trust to tell you what they think you can do. I have been very fortunate and had offers that i've accepted, but fell through, then immediately went onto the market again to get it sold again. You have to live in a false environment for the time your house is on the market and it is a very stressful time. It may be your EA who came to take the pics etc is new and doesn't know how to tell you for fear of upsetting you. Even though you tell him/her you won't be, you will be because its your home.

It's a shame that when EA's value homes that potential vendors don't get a leaflet on staging/de cluttering etc, but they don't because its assumed they are aware of what's out there. So please read the advice. From what the general views on here have said, they are virtually all the same.

http://homebuying.about.com/od/sellingahouse/ht/homeprep.htm
http://www.houserevolution.com/info/preparing-your-house
http://www.channel4.com/4homes/design-decorate/decorating-ideas
http://www.home.co.uk/guides/articles/selling_tips.htm

I wouldn't expect the estate agent to move things, however I do expect them to be honest regarding getting the photo's right. And they don't seem to be very good at that., and telling me what I need to do.

I am not a muppet, every time I speak to the estate agent I ask for further advice, but we always get told 'everything is fine, we just need to get the right people in'. I am trying my best but if people I am paying aren't giving me advice, what else can I do?

There's nothing wrong with the photo's themselves, they cover the necessary areas, it really is just a case of de-cluttering and painting, nothing major.

I apologise for calling you a muppet, but you seem to blaming everything on the EA not telling you to declutter and tone down some areas of your house, when it's obvious. AN EA on here has told you what you need to do even if your EA won't. In fact everyone that has responded to you has told you exactly the same thing, but you keep asking the EA advice. If you don't want to take ours that's your choice, but we are only telling you to help you, but you're not listening, again your choice. Why not spend this week doing the things we suggest, get the EA to come out again in one weeks time and then take different photo's.

We're not trying to hurt or upset you, we are all here wanting you to sell your house as quickly as possible. Please listen to our advice.

lkmartin

googler wrote: »

If the EA is saying - in every room - "it would look better if you...." and before they take the photo, the homeowner is moving shoes from under the bed, tidying away the wire drainer and cleaning products from the sink, moving the bleach, spare toilet rolls, wet flannels from the bathroom, all the while with the EA drumming their fingers and waiting, then I'm afraid I consider that a total and utter waste of both party's time. Or are you suggesting that the EA should join in and move the owner's spare toilet rolls and wet flannels for them? Yes if it gets a better blooming picture

As the last poster said, if the owner doesn't know to put everything away before the EA arrives to do the photos, or get some advice from the EA so that they can sort it out first, then they're muppets. Something that looks fine to the sellar can look wrong to a potential buyer - personal taste and all that!

There's been, and are still, enough programmes/advice on TV, in books and on the interweb to get them on the right lines.

Im sorry I still disagree - many people have not sold houses before - who do you ask about selling houses - um how about an ESTATE AGENT????? What is this Estate Agent Aid or something - they may well have to deal with 'muppets' but it's not like they are not handsomely rewarded!