Phil Spencer

notanewuser

Because what the seller can get done for £300 will often translate to the buyer as a big job that will cause mess and disruption and cost £1k+.

propertyman

Simple Rules

1 Are the rooms laid out to their best advantage, not personal convenience

2 List all that needs doing- taken together, how high a mountain is that for a buyer and eliminate the simple stuff.

3 Clean tidy and squared away.

While it needs rewiring and the windows have no paint, what affects a buyer is
" but we'll have to tear out those bushes first and its so cluttered there is no space to work and those dirty carpets have to go -no- too much"

paulsad

Mine only sold when I decorated my son's tatty bedroom - just one room made the difference as far as I can see after 2 years of trying - cost me about £70 for a carpet which I fitted and a bit of paint and work. Was well worth it to get a sale.

Dan-Dan

we actually ripeed up some carperts as underneath is some really nice flooring , and the EA has updated the pictures on the ad showing that

one thing going for us , is the house is very very empty so its easy to see the size of the rooms and what can be done with them

sugarwalsh

Dan, can I ask who your market will be for? The reason I ask is my grandparents flat has been on the market for almost 2 years. It is in a retirement place in a very desirable village. It is well priced but it needs work doing and my parents refuse to do what it needs. To me, if I were looking for a retirment flat/home I would not want to go in and have to update the kitchen and bathroom. These are only small in the flat, but it is a big upheavel for someone who is looking for an easy life.

If your potential market is young families moving into the area, I suspect they may be more inclined to take on a project, as long as they can move into something clean and neutral but will need updating as and when they can.

One last thing - I have looked at and noticed several properties where the occupier has moved on and left the home empty. The people selling on often have unrealistic ideas about what it is worth - they get a figure and stick to it. The house can then sit around on the market for ages, being ignored by the agent and then potential buyers start wondering 'what's wrong' with the property. Make sure you are being honestly realistic without trying to have too much emotional attachment, which I know is very difficult.

Mx

olly300

Dan-Dan wrote: »

one thing going for us , is the house is very very empty so its easy to see the size of the rooms and what can be done with them

That could be a blessing or a curse - but then again you know that from watching all those programs.

Dan-Dan

Hi Sugar

we live in the bungalow.....

Its priced `to sell` (or so we thought) its only been 4 weeks though

It`s defintly either a `builders` purchase , as there is only 8 properties in the culdesac and all have been modified in some way ,wether its dormas or extransions etc) ours is the only one left in its original build state
Or its for the middle aged/retired couples market , and its this market we want due to the price because if they have the contacts and means , they can live there and do each room to suit as they occupy the property

obviously a builder wants to make as much as possible so could well not peak there interest until the price drops

Dan-Dan

olly300 wrote: »

That could be a blessing or a curse - but then again you know that from watching all those programs.

I know , i know , but we think decluttered is better than a full on family living there

sugarwalsh

I suspect it is just a matter of time then, if you feel it is priced right etc.
If you are wondering whether it needs any areas tartingup, why not ask an honest friend to have a look and let you know their first impressions? It may be that all you need are some splashes of colour etc. I know the general thinking is that 'neutral' is best, but frankly I can't stand borking bland beige houses when I am looking to buy. I flick through the photos with no interest and they leave my head immeadiately. Even if I hate the decor someone has chosen it is better than indifference! I think it is such a fine balance between 'boring' and 'light and airy'..... Mx

olly300

Dan-Dan wrote: »

I know , i know , but we think decluttered is better than a full on family living there

You have the issue that as it's a probate house people expect it to be a lower price.

The fact that it's not lived in as well adds to this effect and makes people think you want a quick sale.