Quit everything , and start again over 50?

another_casualty

Thanks Tuesday
I never count my chickens .( unless I live on a farm;) ).

lessonlearned

Back from Barcelona......

Following your progress, it's looking good.

Another party tonight, DS2s 3oth....

another_casualty

Helloooo LL
Glad you had a good time
Thanks for the encouraging words . I guess tidying up more often is a priority now

chevalier

Glad to hear that you are having a lot of viewings. I certainly think that tidying, and cleaning never hurt. So pack up stuff that is clutter. Ie magazine racks, shoes away in a cupboard, kitchen clean and tidy. Maybe some spring bulbs cheap from T*sco to put in the garden? Or even something in pots for a bit of colour? It doesn't have to be expensive...
good luck
chev

another_casualty

Thanks chev. Love the rabbit
Not gonna do anything to the garden TBH .
Whoever gets it can do anything from scratch . May get bark chippings , as that's all that's needed IMHO . That would make the garden complete .Normally I do that once a year .
The cats/ foxes / squirrels have had a whale of a time ripping up the wood border

Could declutter a little this weekend . Hopefully , somebody Wants my home regardless

another_casualty

Yesterday's viewing:' great size/ location / parking space / garden.
Cost too much , considering it needs doing up to what she would like .'

lessonlearned

Is she going to make an offer.........maybe ask the EA to push her a little to see what it would take to make her bite.......see what sort of a figure she has in mind.

This was a tactic I would often use with buyers. I would ask them how much they thought the works would cost then I would show them how it could be done cheaper, point them to suppliers etc. - they invariably overestimated costs (sometimes deliberately, hoping the seller wouldn't realise and see through their little ruse) but more often than not it was genuine, they had no idea of costs and would fear the worst.

The other thing I find is that (and please don't all shoot me down in flames:rotfl:) a lot of viewers simply have no imagination. That is why it helps to "dress the space". This applies to gardens too, so a bit of colour does help to sell outside space.

Outside space is a very valuable commodity, especially in London and apartments with gardens are as rare as hens teeth so you definitely need to make the most of such a fantastic selling feature.

I am a bit confused about your comment about speakers on the ceiling..........are they surface mounted or recessed. Obviously it all depends on your target market, ie younger male buyers might love recessed speakers but it might be a turn off for others. I've just asked my 30 year old sons opinion, he says he might like them but I admit I wouldn't........

Having a ceiling repaired and replastered is not a huge job but it is messy and it might be scaring people off. It can be done in a day so it's a plasterers day rates plus materials. I don't know London rates but I could get it done for around £150 to £200.

Viewers might be scared of costs and unhappy with the thought of disruption and mess. Have a word with your EA on this one and ask what feedback he has had regarding the ceiling.

I have to be honest, a lot of EAs are not very good at getting feedback. When they are told "it needs work"...they don't question the viewer enough. They just shrug off the comments and don't ask the right questions.

I always used to view my role not so much as "selling houses" but "helping people to buy". A subtle difference perhaps but I did find that by helping viewers find solutions to their problems I got more sales than some of my colleagues who just did the hard sell.

May I suggest that you get a couple quotes for sorting out the ceiling and any other work that might have been mentioned, then at least you know what you are are up against and you can use that information to either allay their fears or negotiate on your asking price.

You are getting the viewings which suggests your asking price is about right. However you are getting a few comments about it "needing work".

You need to find out what exactly is bothering them and then either do the work or adjust your price accordingly. In a fast moving market doing the work can pay huge dividends because you could then maybe increase your asking price.

You would be surprised at just how many people are prepared to pay a premium for a "key ready" property. Not everyone has the time, inclination or skills required for tackling a fixer upper.

However, I wouldn't reduce the price just yet though. It's still early days. Give it at least a month and then review the situation.

Sunday is the big wedding celebrations.. Fingers crossed for some nice warm sunshine.

Then I really need to get down to business and start house hunting. I do want a fixer upper, the tattier the better.....:rotfl:

another_casualty

I assume that a new bathroom , and possibly kitchen is what most of the work is . The e a thinks I'm too jumpy at the moment( my words/ feeling).
Times are hard , so I cannot do anything ;(
This is the thing :if the place is ready to move into , with no work needed, I would've had offers by now.
My situation says otherwise . Yep, holes in ceiling( 2 in master bedroom, 2 in tiny hallway outside kitchen / bathroom)
1 ceiling fan in living room, 1 in master bedroom.
We will see ..
My friend in Dorset thinks that there's nothing wrong with my place , and that potential buyers are trying to come in with lowball offers .
One of my other friends thinks I need a new kitchen .
Opinions opinions. Someone hurry up and buy . £415 k would be good.

£400 k if it starts to hang around .
Need to move on .
Good day on Sunday forecast ll. Enjoy

lessonlearned

Definitely don't go to the expense or hassle of new bathrooms and kitchens. Your EA will have factored replacement costs into their valuations, so don't worry about those.

Yes it's true kitchens and bathrooms sell houses but as long as the price reflects the need for upgrading then let your buyers choose and pay for their own.

Ps obviously fix anything that needs sorting, ie cupboard doors correctly aligned etc stained work surfaces, dirty tile grout. Just make sure kitchens and bathrooms are clean and hygienic and fit for purpose.

Re the ceilings.......ideally they should be sorted but I know your cash flow is currently a problem so rather than incur costs now then maybe you might be better to take refurbishment costs Into account when you start weighing up offers.

Just concentrate on easy quick things for now..........keeping everywhere as clean and clutter free as possible. Make the flat look and feel spacious, dress with a few cheap plants, a bowl of fruit in the kitchen and a vase of flowers in the main living area. Keep it aired and smelling nice and fresh. Polish sinks and taps so they shine. Watch cooking smells, no one wants to smell last nights dinner......;)

(A cheats tip - an open tin of furniture polish placed under or behind a sofa makes the living room smell nice and fresh). You could even polish your furniture with it if you feel like it. :rotfl:

Some nice smelling soap in the bathroom. Pots of Herbs on the kitchen window cill. Thyme or basil are best and dead cheap. Thyme also deters insects and flies, they hate it.

Just a few homely touches makes a huge difference and won't break the bank.

Personally I think lighted scented candles during the day are overkill - as for those plug in air fresheners. Yuk. Just go for clean, natural and fresh, rather than cloying synthetics.

Did you manage to get the Windows cleaned. That one thing can make a huge difference to the light quality.

Try not to panic, you are getting the viewers, the offers will follow.

another_casualty

Weds viewing: buy to let investors . Wouldn't pay more than£380k ,
due to the work needed doing.
E A , politely told the cheeky bar stewards no deal .