Left field suggestions for flat sale?

DennC

Hi,

I'm new to the site so apologise if this has already been covered before.

My girlfriend is trying to sell her flat at the moment but is struggling to get any interest or viewings. She's followed what I would imagine is the normal selling route (I say imagine 'cause I've always rented) of advertising his flat through a local estate agent (its been on their books for about a year), and putting the flat's details on Rightmove, as well as advertising her property on Sarah Beenie's property site too.

Despite the above standard selling stuff (and a recent reduction in the sales price), she's just not getting any interest from potential buyers. I don't think there's anything wrong with the property itself. Its part of a modern flat conversion and the flat next door to hers (which is identical) was purchased by a new buyer last year.

Now I know that the property market isn't a vibrant one to say the least at this difficult economic time, but with all the above in mind, I just wondered if there was anything else she could do to promote her property to potential buyers e.g. anything left field, or slightly out of the ordinary?

As I've always rented I really don't know what to suggest to her, but as I've often visited Martin's site, I thought, hmm, I know a place where there might be folk with experience and knowledge in this area, who could suggest new ideas to promote the sale of the flat.

So any thoughts or suggestions welcome!

Thanks

DennC

iwilldoitthistime

hi

can you post the rightmove link?

googler

The inescapable truth is that FTBs are struggling to get finance.

If the flat is suitable for/aimed at/likely to appeal to FTBs, then she'll struggle.

No amount of left-field suggestions will change the availabilility of mortgages, and this is essentially the problem. The sale of the one next door may have gone to the one lucky FTB who could afford it last year (was your one up for sale at the same time?)

Thrugelmir

Reduce the price. When its at a competitive price level in the market she'll start to get viewings.

DennC

Thanks for the replies folks.

Iwilldoitthistime...I've tried posting a link to Rightmove but the website isn't letting me post it due to my new-to-Martin's site status.

googler

Post the link as text only by stripping out the http www, then someone can repost it. Or tell us the postcode and price.

DennC

Thanks Googler,

Check out the following...

rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-32482538.html?premiumA=true

And she's just reduced the price again by the way!

Thanks

DennC

dotchas

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-32482538.html?premiumA=true

Is there only a 2 seater sofa in the living room, it looks small. Is that a fridge freezer in the left hand side of living room pic 6?
Lovely flat though, bedroom lovely, bathroom a bit dated but OK.
Wish you could buy that where I am for that money!
Is there a hospital or even college nearby where you could put a schedule on a notice board?

JimmyTheWig

I personally don't like the front picture. I think picture 8 would be better as the main one. Or maybe even an internal picture first.
My point is that if I was looking for a one-bed flat then I wouldn't look at that one because it doesn't look like one!

atush

First of all it is nicely presented if small. Two things to make it look bigger. For Viewing days, put the Sofa against the wall to make the room look bigger.

And in the kitchen, that shelf unit (and the things on it) really look nice. But it makes the kitchen look small perhaps? Can she move it elswhere while selling?

grimsalve

IMO needs a de-clutter. All those pictures in the hallway, kitchen, and lounge would put me off, and I'd get rid of the tables, storage units, footstools, chairs, etc. to make more of the limited space available. The external photos don't make it clear which flat is for sale (does it have a front and a side door?). Possibly turn the sofa round so it's facing the window? How much is the management charge?

Streetview doesn't show the flat but the surrounding area looks nice and quiet. Doesn't seem to be anything wrong with the flat so unfortunately it could be the asking price that's the problem.