Newbie landlord advice please

Datolite

Blackpool_Saver wrote: »

Can I be very honest? I don't want to offend you but it looks very dark and gloomy. The kitchen is very dated too. Why not pull it off and re-list it after putting some modern kitchen doors on, a more hygienic toilet seat and pictures with the light of day in them. Open the curtains and let some light in. As it is I am not surprised you have no viewers to choose from. Sorry but you want it to go and at good price and that will help. Also one of the pictures doesn't open.
Also, there is no such thing as DSS, and you need to proof read the text in the description.

I agree with the above. Much more light needed, make it inviting and the light will make it look more refreshing and airy too. Second picture is really small, the garden I'm guessing.

Werdnal

Can you take the photos again on a brighter day? There is nothing like some sunshine streaming in to make a property look far more inviting! I know good weather is limited at this time of year, but whilst I don't think the photos are too gloomy, better natural light would be an improvement - having the lights on in the daytime is never a good look! Pull up the blinds in the bathroom and the nets in the bedroom.

Is there a chance of a photo of the outside of the building?

You mention the views, what about local shops, amenities, schools etc. I always advertise mine as "10 minute level walk from mainline Rail station, in centre of town with shops, pubs etc in easy reach" or words to that effect.

The garden shot is not enlarging, so you may need to change photo settings on that one.

Central heating - gas, electric?

Do you allow pets, smoking?

mumlady1

Hi folks
Some food for thought, thanks. The pictures were taken in the daylight with the flash on the camera and although I agree the flat looks a little gloomy it actually isn't but despite taking pictures with 2 different (and reasonable quality cameras) I can't seem to get a picture which conveys the true image of the light.
Points taken about single/double rooms, access to garden and gas/electric, pets, smoking etc. I'll sort those thanks and I have mentioned that it's a 2 minute walk to shops/banks etc & a short drive to train stations
Regards the voile curtains being closed, I did that because when they are open you can see a really clear view of the street outside - which means that people outside can see clearly into the flat! I thought that might put people off more? Am I wrong in thinking that?
Not offended at all Blackpool Saver by your comments I agree that the kitchen is a little dated and I actually have a list of jobs that I would like to do to update the flat in a year or so but I need it to earn a little income first before I can do that! A bit of a catch 22 I think.
So general opinion - having checked out other similar sized flats in the area, mine seems to be priced in the lower to middle range of the scale. Should I consider lowering the price?

mumlady1

By the way, everyone, I don't mean to sound as though I'm rejecting all your good suggestion! I'm simply trying to explain why the pics make the flat look a little dull or why the voiles are closed!
I'm taking all your advice on board, I've already made a couple of changes to the ad wording & am currently pricing new doors for the kitchen :T
Spare Room is next on my list of things to do!

Kynthia

Good on you for posting the link. The kitchen cupboards and lino are a little dated in style but don't look bad and it's nice to have room for a table. However the lounge looks very beige, dull and bare. I know it might not look like that in person as my sandstone colour walls look bland in photos. Maybe you could paint it a brighter off-white and maybe hang a couple of pictures up (then tenants would know there were hooks they could also use to hang their pictures).

peter_beaver

I use a website called rentify.com as it is free and they put your advert on findaproperty, zoopla and rightmove.

BitterAndTwisted

Be sceptical of newby posters making recommendations. Most especially when they're dredging up threads from older pages.

To be honest, I think only listing your property on Gumtree is not likely to attract the kind of reliable tenants you might be looking for.

The photos and description are much better and the view of the hills in the photo of the outside makes it look like a very attractive spot indeed.

tim123456789

Personally, I think you're stuck with what it is

If I wanted something in a nice quiet, pretty, out of the way location, I'd want something where the front door didn't open straight out onto the road.

Dunno what the solution is really.

tim