Been on sale for 3 weeks and frustrated already!

thestens

jjlandlord wrote: »

Whatever the quality of the tools, it is the skill of the operator that matters most.

I think that when "EA" advertise "professional pictures" they often just mean that they bought a DSLR and will take the pictures themselves...
Calling in a real photographer would cost hundreds.

When our son retook the pictures for the house it wasn't just the pictures it was the editing and adjustment of colour balances etc that made them look better.

harrys_dad

I am still amazed at how little effort goes into taking pictures for websites for houses. They are usually the most important things that people see when they first look on RightMove etc. It is not necessary to have them taken by a professional, but a reasonable amateur would do a better job that most estate agents. Try asking around your local camera club.

Popsicle

Hi All,

Thank you all for your posts. I have been back to the estate agent to raise my concerns. They are going to feedback within 24 hours in future (where possible), take a new picture of the front of my house (as another agent said it looked gloomy) and they have provided me with my Right move stats. Apparently I have a click through rate of 6%. Does anyone know if that’s good or not? To be honest they have taken the time to try and address all my concerns and have accepted where they could be more proactive (they are selling the majority of the houses in my town).

Right I will try and answer your questions, please feel free to give me a nudge though if I’ve missed any.

Googler – Yes the 1% is no sale no fee, I only have to pay if I sell. So far I have only had to pay for the EPC/Flooorplan upfront. I have been on sale for 4 weeks tomorrow. I had 3 viewings in the first week, a 2nd viewing in the 2nd week, 2 further viewings in the 3rd week and none in the 4th week. I have a viewing booked at the weekend but they have to sell theirs first.

Kixxb – I did think about a mystery shopper, I just have to rope a friend in to do it for me

bluep – I finally have the floorplan live so hopefully that will help as my house is a really good size inside with very spacious rooms and I think some people don’t realise as some houses on the estate are quite a bit smaller. I’m a bit wary about posting a link to my property, but I am happy to PM the link to anyone if they would like to give some feedback.

Johnswife – Same for me, I last bought a house 12 years ago and it was very different then. I also think I read too much (im a tad OCD at times) and I hear how others are selling within a week etc etc and I think that there is something wrong because mine hasn’t sold yet. I looked at the stats on RightMove though and it said the average to sell a detached 3 bed house in my location is about 70-80 days. Like you say, I think I just need to learn a little patience.

Harrysdad – Good idea about the camera club. I’ll see if there is one local…. I’ve nothing to lose from finding out.

Anyone who thinks they may be able to help with some feedback, please feel free to PM me and I’ll send you the link for my house. Thank you again everyone.

I_have_spoken

Apparently I have a click through rate of 6%. Does anyone know if that’s good or not?

The EA should tell you how that compares to the average of all their adverts.

BTW, you can post the RIghtmove link/ref. no here for helpful but robust feedback on your house.

Thrugelmir

harrys_dad wrote: »

I am still amazed at how little effort goes into taking pictures for websites for houses. They are usually the most important things that people see when they first look on RightMove etc. It is not necessary to have them taken by a professional, but a reasonable amateur would do a better job that most estate agents. Try asking around your local camera club.

I've never been concerned with pictures. As interior decor is changeable. Before viewing internally I also look around the locality.

At the end of the day it is a question of pricing it right and waiting for a buyer to come along. Like going into a large superstore for bread. There's often plenty to choose from.

Jenniefour

harrys_dad wrote: »

I am still amazed at how little effort goes into taking pictures for websites for houses. They are usually the most important things that people see when they first look on RightMove etc. It is not necessary to have them taken by a professional, but a reasonable amateur would do a better job that most estate agents. Try asking around your local camera club.

Couldn't agree more. So many agents still take dreadful photo's. I once bought a property that I had spotted driving past it by accident, as it were. I then realised that it was already in the local property newspapers and Rightmove - but unrecognisable! So I had just ignored the ads. How they managed to get an external photo of the property that was nothing like the handsome exterior beats me - and it wasn't the weather either!

jjlandlord

thestens wrote: »

When our son retook the pictures for the house it wasn't just the pictures it was the editing and adjustment of colour balances etc that made them look better.

Yes, and? That's the skill of the operator, isn't it?

QTPie

Jenniefour wrote: »

Couldn't agree more. So many agents still take dreadful photo's. I once bought a property that I had spotted driving past it by accident, as it were. I then realised that it was already in the local property newspapers and Rightmove - but unrecognisable! So I had just ignored the ads. How they managed to get an external photo of the property that was nothing like the handsome exterior beats me - and it wasn't the weather either!

Agreed.

We were on sale between June 2013 and end of August 2014 - a looooong time! We started with one agent and they took their own photos (nice camera, but very very average photographer) - I was never happy with the photos. Changed agents a few months later - they got a professional photographer in and he was excellent (we did have to pay for the marketing before the sale, but it was reimbursed out if the commission when sold): he took time to stage the photos, he used professional lights, wide angled lenses etc. He then photoshopped the photos to get the maximum out of them. House still took an age to sell, but it was due to the market at the time and a few "quirks" (very steep driveway put a lot if people off). You need the marketing to "get people through the door".

OP, actually sounds like you are doing rather well for viewings. It us a "quiet" time of year (although should pick up fast): honestly, just hang in there

lisssa

Hi , I feel your frustration .
I've had my house on the market for 4 weeks now and in that time have had 4 viewing ( and even one of those it was clear from the outset that my house wouldn't suit them )
In the area I live certain types of houses are selling v v quickly - but obviously not mine .
Rightly or wrongly I 'feel ' that the estate agent is focusing on the 'quick easy ' sales and if a house doesn't go straight away then their interest is lost .
However my 'rational' head keeps trying to remind myself that due to the tiny garden I have and no garage (altho I have 2 allocated parking spaces) my house no matter how well it has been looked after / decorated it won't suit a lot of people and therefore they just need to find a buyer that will 'suit' my house and I need to be patient.
Must admit I've stopped viewing houses until I do (hopefully) sell mine as I think I will get v demoralised if I view my 'dream house' and then can't make an offer on it due to not being able to proceed !
Good luck !!

kixxb

somethingcorporate wrote: »

You've accepted an offer from someone that is not proceedable? don't get your hopes up.

My hopes aren't up and I'm not in a hurry but good to know we have an offer at least!