First Time Seller - advice needed

DaiBach

Hi all. After months and months and reading various sections of this forum, which holds some quality information, I've decided to post.

Basically some advice and/or constructiive criticism is sought, in two aspects really.

Firstly, it appears that the estate agent used does not advertise on Rightmove. Does you guys percieve this to be a big problem? In hindsight I guess that an equivalent EA with equivalent fees who does use that platform is getting me more exposure for my money. With this in mind should I look to signing up with an alternative EA as soon as possible? At the moment, the property is listed on Zoopla but I doubt that this platform is as well known and as widely used as Ruightmove.

On a slightly different topic. The property has been on the market now for a week with no interest or contact thus far. The EA have used a couple of photos from the last time I have tried to sell the property and ended up renting it. I have already instructed them to take some new photos. As I am a new member here I dont think that I can post a link but the property can be found on zoopla, sa4 8rb 99K. Would anyone be willing to offer some constructive critism or ideas on increasing the saleability of the property?

Apologies for the long post and many thanks for any ideas, info or feedback.

Dai Bach

PurpleRainbow

Speaking as a buyer, if a house is not on right move it does not exist to me. The only reason I check Zoopla is if I've already seen a house on RM and want to check how long it has been on the market, because RM doesn't tell you that. I'd suggest rectifying this as soon as you possibly can.

I've had a quick look at your house and I can't see too much to complain about. The photography seems a little dodgy, some of the photos (5,6 and 7 specifically) seem to be showing corners of the room rather than the room itself. This leads me to wonder whether the house is too small, or if you are hiding some kind of unattractive feature in each one of those rooms.

DaiBach

Thanks for the input Purple Rain. I have a feeling that my only option will be to change EA or see if they are willing to undergo shared marketing.

Yeah, I agree that the photos are not the best. There's certainly nothing to hide, I think its the case of the EA being truely awful with a camera. Rooms aren't small, then again, they aren't cavernous either haha. Looks like they stepped into the room to take the photo rather than from the door. Do you think that they should maybe use two photo's in these rooms to avoid the issue you mentioned?

I'll ask them to update these also I think.

JennyW_2

is this it:

http://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/29235004?search_identifier=e4f5d25db1aad2456cdd032275c47dc9

I agree about the corners of the rooms, doesn't really show the room off.

If you are still able to, I would change EA to one who uses RM. Much more exposure.

DaiBach

Hi Jenny,

Yes, That's the one. Thanks for posting the link. Although I didn't notice...the photos are starting to bug me now.

Ok, so 2 of 2 suggest RM's importance. I think I know what I have to do.

JennyW_2

DaiBach wrote: »

Hi Jenny,

Yes, That's the one. Thanks for posting the link. Although I didn't notice...the photos are starting to bug me now.

Ok, so 2 of 2 suggest RM's importance. I think I know what I have to do.

yes I think I would call a couple of local EA's who use RM and go elsewhere, afterall I reckon most of us find the houses we want to view on the internet and just call the EA to get a viewing.

I agree that pictures 6 & 7 aren't really showing me anything and I think picture 8 doesn't really do much for me. I would've preferred the picture to be taken from the ground. However if you're changing EA then it doesn't matter as you can instruct better photos

DaiBach

JennyW wrote: »

I agree that pictures 6 & 7 aren't really showing me anything and I think picture 8 doesn't really do much for me. I would've preferred the picture to be taken from the ground. However if you're changing EA then it doesn't matter as you can instruct better photos

Photo 8 is admittedly grim. This and Photo 1 is what triggered my to instruct new photos. I'll still ask them to update the others.

Sometimes I wonder if my expectations of the EA are too high.

DaftyDuck

Unless there is a good and specific reason (made clear at the outset) not to use Rightmove, I'd expect pretty much all agents to use it; I wouldn't consider using one to sell a house that wasn't using Rightmove. It's always, always my first port of call, and I only use the others for getting further details, keeping an eye in case they get a listing first, or just seeing if the agent's details match up.

Sometimes I wonder if my expectations of the EA are too high.

No, I don't think they are. Those photographs are spectacularly poor. The opening frontage is blurred, the second is too dark (flash... switch some lights on...) the empty rooms are taken pointing down and are harsh and bleak, and the shot of the rear garden is... roof.

So, if I like your house (and it's fine by the way), I would like to find out just a bit of information. How big are the rooms? OK, if the photos were stunning, and the brief blurb were gripping, I'd use the request details button... the details link gives a useless brochure, same poor photos, and absolutely no room sizes or plan. ...unfortunately, I've just clicked onto Rightmove and am no longer interested.. because I've found This one where the agent knew how to work a lightswitch and was willing to go out in the cold, cold garden for a photo . His details link also gives a "proper" mini brochure, where I learn the sizes of the rooms, the fact that, in his opinion, the garden is large, the hob is gas, and the rooms comfortabley large. Hmmm... reaches for phone for a (hypothetical) viewing, maybe....

I don't think you are expecting too much at all. I just think you are with the wrong agent.

Stratus

I'd echo the need for Rightmove.

At first glance it appears an OK buy but would query pricing given that what appears to be your neighbour sold in 2010 for 80.5k and just opposite at no 20 sold for 59k in 2011. Are they comparable properties? What's been happening to prices in your area since then?

Guest101

Just out of curiosity, is this agent charging a smaller than usual fee, so justifies not using RM. (not that i agree with that anyway)

DaiBach

DaftyDuck, thank. Your feedback is much appreciated, thanks for taking the time.

It seems that all suggestions are pointing me in the same direction at the moment and that I'll have to take action in the regards of EA selection. I suppose after all that they do get paid to do the job and it is in their best interests (and mine) to do the job right. Very valid point regarding the other property and marketing of it also. Many thanks.

Stratus, thanks. It's a street of more elderly residents and well those two properties, my neighbour and for sure no. 20, were sold off at reduced rates after the demise of their owners. Unfortunate to say. Now there are a greater propertion of young families and first time buyers (like I was) living in the street.

Guest101, I don't believe that the current EA is any cheaper than the others but i'll confirm this upon contact with other EA's. Others havent been approached as yet.