30 viewings, no offers

sarah_elton

Melissa177 wrote: »

But don't most FTBs look for a place they can do up/redecorate themselves?

I looked for a place that was ready to move into, or just needed a lick of paint in a couple of rooms. Most FTBs don't have a lot of ready cash to make improvements. Given affordability, most are single full-time workers, or couples who both have full-time jobs. Most people I know who've bought didn't want to do much, if any work.

I think it's more likely to be second or third time buyers who have released equity when trading up who'd be interested in doing a place up. FTBs are used to renting and less bothered about 'making a place their own'.

Melissa177

Hmm - interesting. On my list of "things I want in a property" was the potential to do it up - I wanted to make it my own.

Perhaps I am 24 going on 40!

kingkano

The only thing I wonder on people who are saying 'reduce the price its too expensive'.... surely its not? People have come through the door! I thought the only time too expensive was a problem was scaring people off from viewing. Once they have viewed surely they make their own decision on the value? And to not even have a cheeky low offer from 30 viewings makes me think its not price.....

Rick62

Is the showerroom big enough to have a bath? I would expect this to be a major issue (not having a bath).

Also the patio looks cheap, with the rubbish flower border, gravel and bright orange panel. If you could pave the whole thing nicely and find some ready made plant on tressel for the fence that might help.

CFC

Not speaking as anybody who knows anything, just speaking as 'a prospective buyer', the outside looks charming and the inside looks depressing. It kind of looks almost like a 'student' type place.

The sheet covering up the stuff under the stairs reinforces that, as does the dining table in the sitting room. There's nothing in the room that makes it look nice. It's totally characterless.

Now, you might well say that people are not buying the furniture. That is very true. BUT there are no features apart from the fireplace and the old window, and there's nothing that draws your eyes to those to show them off. The laminate, sofa, tv and dining furniture look like they're in a holiday home. I think that if your furniture was lovely and the place had a more 'homely' air it would be shown off to its best potential.

So how about taking down the sheet and getting rid of whatever rubbish you have under there, placing the sofa and dining table wherever looks best in the room, may even have to deep six the tv if necessary for the moment, nice rug in front of fireplace with a warm colour, and I have to say the green in the kitchen doesn't make the most of the room, it looks kind of cold next to the floor tiles. Maybe even get in a second small sofa or what have you and place under the window. At the moment psychologically I would think...oh there's not even any space for any visitors to sit down....

Hope I haven't hurt your feelings, we all have different tastes, and I'm not criticising your personal taste, just saying it would not appeal to me as it's very modern in a period house.

roses

What kind of people are coming to see your house? Singles, young couples, older couples etc? If we know who your average customer is then maybe we can give you some tips on how to rearrange your furniture!

Alanland

Thanks again to everyone who posted. A lot of people have a lot of opinions but I still haven't drawn a conclusion as to why we've had so many viewings (34 now). I now feel like one of those useless people on one of those TV shows who just ignore all the fabulous advice and say "oh, but I like my green kitchen!!!" when all the world knows that the presenter is right and the person is soo soo wrong!
In my naivety, I thought that only property developers turned their house into a showhome, I thought normal people would just tidy up a bit, declutter reasonably and hope that buyers could see through all that. Certainly the houses I've gone to see in my search for a new home have been "lived in" properties.
Anyway, aside from commenting on my furniture (sob!), people have suggested that we're aiming the property at the wrong people. Should I be deciding who to aim it at and telling the estate agent this? Again, my inexperience shows as I thought that they would pick the best market themselves. Also, things have moved on a bit from the way they look in the photos. The courtyard looks better anyway and I've now taken people's advice on clearing up the living room. You've all found so many things wrong with the photos, I wonder what more horrors people are finding when they actually get here!
Having a chat with estate agent today, let's see how that goes.
House selling sucks!

Sisyphus

kingkano wrote: »

The only thing I wonder on people who are saying 'reduce the price its too expensive'.... surely its not? People have come through the door! I thought the only time too expensive was a problem was scaring people off from viewing. Once they have viewed surely they make their own decision on the value? And to not even have a cheeky low offer from 30 viewings makes me think its not price.....

well it's either the price or a really bad smell.

Has anyone come to look a second time?

auntie_brenda

Alan, hope chat with estate agent goes well.

My tuppence worth.....

In general I agree with the other comments re kitchen & living room. I've hosue hunted recently & believe I have a good eye for properties, however there is no doubt that pale walls and clear floor space can make a lasting impression.

Re the shower room - you haven't actually said if there is room for a bath in there. Measure it out, and get an idea of the cost. Then you can say to people 'we considered putting a bath in here and it would cost xxxx' - could overcome some negatve thoughts on it.

Courtyard should def. be decluttered - take advantage of the good weather to show this off to its' advantage. Does the area out the front belong to you? If so, phone the council and ask if you would be allowed to move the fence. If you could, again, price this up and tell prospective buyers 'we've checked with the council about moving the fence and we would be allowed to. It would only cost xxxx and woudl mean you got the sun in am/pm/evening as well as am/pm/evening in the back.

Alternatively, how long is that space? Is it big enough for a car? Check with council re dropping the kerb, then it could be advertised as 'potential for off road parking'.

Finally, why are you moving? Do NOT say it's to small for us now we have a baby etc - this will make FTB's think ahead. Say you love the area but need to be nearer family / work etc.

Alternatively, I could phone up and ask to view it. No matter how long a house has been on the market it seems to miraculously sell as soon as I want to view .......

Melissa177

auntie_brenda wrote: »

Alternatively, I could phone up and ask to view it. No matter how long a house has been on the market it seems to miraculously sell as soon as I want to view .......

:rotfl: :rotfl: