why do you think my house hasn't sold?

t0rt0ise

I think it looks lovely. Exactly the sort of house I'd like.. minimum clutter.. and I'd definitely view it if I were looking to buy in the area.

Grumpelstiltskin

A rug in front of the hearth, ( you don't need an expensive one ) would make it look more lived in.


A couple of planters in the front garden with pansies or primulas would help with first impressions.


Both of these you could take with you when you move.

Dazedandconfused

I think the pictures of the childrens bedrooms make them look cramped and the bathroom looks very small. Also you could make your dining area look more inviting. The garden looks functional rather than a feature. Some kind of dining area and some pots could sort that. I don't know your area but other properties in that dt11 post code with 3 beds have sold around the 200k mark and the last property to sell in your road sold for under 180k

I think you could do with taking some of the stuff out of the kids rooms and rephotographing them and a few homely touches in the lounge, dining area and master bedroom would make it much more attractive.

dgtazzman

It is what it is, the (lack of) furniture and bland decor would not put me off, I would actually welcome the neutral colours, easier to paint over. The kitchen and bathroom aren't to my taste, but that's just me and wouldn't put me off as such.

What puts me off is this:

* only 1 bathroom for a 3 bedroom house, by modern standards I would be expecting 2 plus an ensuite. Seems very impractical for a family.
* I see very few storage options. Even the hallway looks like storing things there would just get in the way, behind the front door might be the only option I see.
* There are no room dimensions on the floor plan and judging by the photo's, especially the bedrooms don't look very generous.
* The location of the doors and fire place in the living room really limits what I could do with furniture in there, would have preferred no fire place.

Grumpelstiltskin

Maybe it is the basic design that is putting people off, for instance the only access to the kitchen is through the dining room.


One bathroom was probably the norm for what is a small semi when it was built, nothing you can do about that.


Quite possibly a new build would have less overall footage but the show house would have all the professional tricks to make it look bigger.


Yours is lived in by a normal family you have to hope people see this.

pippin06

Dazedandconfused wrote: »

I think the pictures of the childrens bedrooms make them look cramped and the bathroom looks very small. Also you could make your dining area look more inviting. The garden looks functional rather than a feature. Some kind of dining area and some pots could sort that. I don't know your area but other properties in that dt11 post code with 3 beds have sold around the 200k mark and the last property to sell in your road sold for under 180k

I think you could do with taking some of the stuff out of the kids rooms and rephotographing them and a few homely touches in the lounge, dining area and master bedroom would make it much more attractive.

The postcode covers a wide area including villages. My neighbour died in horrific circumstances and the next of kin needed a very quick sale with minimum hassle as they live far away, money was not an issue. He was older lived alone and hadn't updated the house since he bought it new from plan. Old windows, kitchen, bathroom half tiled no shower, all woodwork was dark wood. Completely different story. The new people have gutted the house and spent a lot of money renovating and updating so the actual cost was much more. Probate sales are almost always under value. Shame the information you can find online isn't always the whole story.

do people not offer on asking prices? I certainly always have. Price doesn't put me off because I will do research like you have to work out what I think a property is worth. I guess you do need to know the area to know the roads which hold more value.

We've had viewings I stopped counting at 20, there aren't many houses for sale at any one time so people are coming through the door but not buying :-(

BitterAndTwisted

What is the feedback the agent is receiving from your viewers? The photos and description are obviously not putting people off or you wouldn't be getting any viewings.

pippin06

dgtazzman wrote: »

It is what it is, the (lack of) furniture and bland decor would not put me off, I would actually welcome the neutral colours, easier to paint over. The kitchen and bathroom aren't to my taste, but that's just me and wouldn't put me off as such.

What puts me off is this:

* only 1 bathroom for a 3 bedroom house, by modern standards I would be expecting 2 plus an ensuite. Seems very impractical for a family.
* I see very few storage options. Even the hallway looks like storing things there would just get in the way, behind the front door might be the only option I see.
* There are no room dimensions on the floor plan and judging by the photo's, especially the bedrooms don't look very generous.
* The location of the doors and fire place in the living room really limits what I could do with furniture in there, would have preferred no fire place.

Would it stop you coming to view? I could answer most those problems if you were an actual viewer. The stairs are extra wide, you'd see I have coat hooks in the hall and a huge under stairs cupboard (as in walk in) as a result. You'd pay more for extra wc and ensuite so in this price range its what you get (which is why we bought it cos we couldn't afford the ensuite versions) in this road its all you get. This location is optimal. A neighbour has fitted a downstairs wc so it's possible and you do get bigger rooms as a result and there's room in the bedroom to add an ensuite if you wanted. We are a family of 5, youngest is 6 and manage ok it's good exercise going upstairs LOL! We have 2 huge wardrobes and drawers in the bedroom 1 and wardrobes and drawers in the 2 and 3rd too. The dimensions are on the details in the description. The fireplace could easily be removed, ive always wanted to my next door neighbours don't have one and are going to get one fitted so just a matter of preference. 3 neighbours have their furniture arranged completly differently in the same space.

problem is we can't please everyond at once. Lots of people have liked the fireplace :-S

Jenniefour

dgtazzman wrote: »

What puts me off is this:

* only 1 bathroom for a 3 bedroom house, by modern standards I would be expecting 2 plus an ensuite. Seems very impractical for a family. OP's house is not in the price range where that would be expected.

* I see very few storage options. Even the hallway looks like storing things there would just get in the way, behind the front door might be the only option I see. Storage under stairs.

* There are no room dimensions on the floor plan and judging by the photo's, especially the bedrooms don't look very generous. I like measurements on floor plans too, but I don't think it's a major issue.

* The location of the doors and fire place in the living room really limits what I could do with furniture in there, would have preferred no fire place. Nothing OP can do about that. Lots of people like fireplaces, me included.

OP, I can't see any majorly wrong with your house at all, it's a very nice tidy house for a young family. I think you've done a great job on the de-cluttering and there is nothing about the house that stands out in a negative way. Tidy outside as well. Maybe a few finishing touches, as others have suggested. Even a vase of flowers can help. Like on the kitchen table. Something decorative on bathroom window? And something in the bay window space - spare armchair? That space looks a little too bare. Otherwise, nice house!

Dazedandconfused

pippin06 wrote: »

The postcode covers a wide area including villages. My neighbour died in horrific circumstances and the next of kin needed a very quick sale with minimum hassle as they live far away, money was not an issue. He was older lived alone and hadn't updated the house since he bought it new from plan. Old windows, kitchen, bathroom half tiled no shower, all woodwork was dark wood. Completely different story. The new people have gutted the house and spent a lot of money renovating and updating so the actual cost was much more. Probate sales are almost always under value. Shame the information you can find online isn't always the whole story.

do people not offer on asking prices? I certainly always have. Price doesn't put me off because I will do research like you have to work out what I think a property is worth. I guess you do need to know the area to know the roads which hold more value.

We've had viewings I stopped counting at 20, there aren't many houses for sale at any one time so people are coming through the door but not buying :-(

People offer but they usually use the asking price as a base. What you find online isn't the whole story but it's unfortunately what prospective buyers would be basing their property search on.

What is the feedback from your viewers / estate agent?

Personally I like the fireplace but I would de clutter the kids rooms a bit but maybe you have done that already?