Why do buyers not do their research??!!

Windsorcastle

hazyjo wrote: »

Lots of people won't touch houses with flat roofs. Might be worth getting a few opinions... Big no-no for me. Not so much for insurance, more for lifespan.
Jx

OK thanks hazyjo. That's another thing for me to worry about, which I hadn't even thought of!! Not that I can do anything about it, because I can't just get a pitched roof built so I guess we'll just have to wait and see whether it deters people...

aileth

My parents went through a tonne of this when they were selling. I'm sure it was just people being nosy. One man's feedback was there wasn't enough space to fit his massive camper van (clearly said single drive), another said there wasn't a double garage (again clear...), another didn't like the sloping garden (lots of pics of this and in the info), another didn't like the french windows (pics!) and the best one was saying that he didn't like the colour of the roof tiles.....duh!!!

They also got a fantastic offer in and then a week later the couple were denied a mortgage. Why put in an offer if you don't have a mip?!

hazyjo

aileth wrote: »

Why put in an offer if you don't have a mip?!

An Agreement in Principle does not guarantee a mortgage.

Jx

aileth

hazyjo wrote: »

An Agreement in Principle does not guarantee a mortgage.

Jx

True, but according to the EA they were massively overshooting with their offer and hadn't even enquired into possible lending. They seemed to think banks would throw cash at them. EA told us they apparently made an offer on a house a third of the price that finally got accepted, as they were just as taken aback by us by how far-reaching they were!

Seabee42

On your original question I think surprisingly some people do not know what they want and just have a budget. By looking at properties they start working it out.

As far as the main road goes people are often not sure whether they can cope with the noise and if they love the property might consider it (usually being on a main road will lower the price relevant to the area). (Not all busy roads are the same).

I would also not purchase a property with a flat roof but since its got it you can just do as advised i.e. recently refurbished last 3 years etc as previously advised.

Most of all good luck.

zzzLazyDaisy

Years ago I sold a beautiful detached house in a lovely tree lined street, with a huge garden. It had three double bedrooms. Most of the feedback was either 'we want four bedrooms' or 'the garden is too large'. It drove me insane, because both were obvious from the estate agents particulars.

Roll on a few years later, and I was looking for my 'forever house'. I looked at 50+ houses before I found my dream home. And guess what... the estate agent's constant pester for feedback drove me insane! The truth was, 'it's nice but not what I am looking for', but they then wanted to know in detail what I was looking for. It isn't a scientific exercise, you know what you want when you find it. SOoooooo.... I took to making something up to shut them up and get them off my back. They don't care they just want to be able to write something on the form and make it look like they are doing their job.

So as far as feedback is concerned, in my view it is meaningless and if I ever sell again, I will tell the EA I don't want feedback unless it actually alerts me to something I can do to make it more attractive to viewers.

Windsorcastle

Seabee42 wrote: »

I would also not purchase a property with a flat roof but since its got it you can just do as advised i.e. recently refurbished last 3 years etc as previously advised.

Most of all good luck.

Thanks Seabee.

Windsorcastle

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

So as far as feedback is concerned, in my view it is meaningless and if I ever sell again, I will tell the EA I don't want feedback unless it actually alerts me to something I can do to make it more attractive to viewers.

Very valid point LazyDaisy, thanks. If someone views and never gets in contact again, of course you know they are not interested but it keeps niggling away at me as to why?! Just human nature I suppose.

Windsorcastle

Thanks to everyone for the constructive criticism and advice. I have culled and reordered the photos as per everyone's general advice, and also rejigged the description to make HOUSE more prominent. 2 viewings booked today since I made those changes, so thanks again for everyone's help.

I've got the handyman on the case with the garden fence and I'll be giving the little garden a makeover as soon as I have vacant possession in a few weeks. I will post an update here as to how things are progressing.

I do really appreciate all the advice and support through this forum! :T

Windsorcastle

I accepted an offer yesterday!! All happened very quickly. Didn't get full asking price but near enough to be happy. Just holding my breath now that will all go smoothly.

Thanks to all posters for comments, encouragement and kind words. :T