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Quit everything , and start again over 50?
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One fairly positive viewing : loved the garden, which could do with a higher fence . Really thinking it over as didn't want to do any work .. Off till 15th, wants to bring her friend back on 16th0
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Another response: favourite of the ones we saw, but didn't fall in love with it . May come for a second viewing in a few weeks time if it is still on the market .0
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Looks like I've tired everyone out .
I was gonna ask , if it's worth replacing the kitchen doors on the cabinets ?
Also , whether I should strip the place bare ( apart from bed ) ?
Waiting for 3 more reports , although I expect nothing .0 -
Hi AC, LL would be the best person to ask but there does seem to be something weird about the London market compared to "normal" places, i.e. the rest of the country in this instance.
Do you think you take these feedback comments too much to heart? How would you cope if you had to do your own viewings and hear them first hand, I wonder? If someone wants a higher fence, they can build a scale model of the Berlin wall if they like, after they have bought the place. Same with "they expect all new appliances". Are they buying the appliances? Most of us take them with us when we move, unless the new place has them built in and I would still do so then, unless the built in ones were new and of a higher spec than mine. We like our appliances! OH would seriously throw his toys were he not allowed to keep the cooker he chose.
What is wrong with people that they think they are buying a furnished place in London? I don't get it. I also think stripping your flat back to just a bed would make it look as if a squatter was staying there, myself. From the pictures I saw, it did not look loved or properly lived in; it was not homely, IYSWIM. I think it needs to be made more so while ensuring it is extremely clean and tidy. Decluttering good, bare and sparse, bad, imho. HTH. Look at all this textese I have learnt since being on here! Eeewwww!0 -
Hi AC.......well disappointing.....
I had hoped to see some good news today.
Looks like your problems are more serious than I thought. London is struggling. Completions are at rock bottom And you flat is just not cutting the mustard. So......unless you want to give it away you have got your work cut out.
TBH I don't set much store by "feedback". People will say anything rather than tell the truth. Most viewers are far too polite to say what they really think so I would always take feedback with a huge pinch salt. It's either bland and meaningless or they are living in cloud cuckoo land.
I have just had a good look at the photos. Here's the good news. It's easily fixed and it won't break the bank. Having said that why Are there no photos of the main bedroom and the bathroom. Just how dire are they.
But before I discuss your flat lets get Right back to basics.
1. Who is your target market.
2. What type of viewers are you getting, ie men or women, couples or singles, what age, private buyers or investors.
You need to nail down Chase and get a breakdown of demographics. You need to MARKET this baby and you need to know your client base. You need to know who you are marketing to. I think I can hazard a guess but you need to be sure.
3. What are your competitors up to. What are they offering for the same budget.
I suggest you go through rightmove and have a good long hard look at everything in your area with £50k either side of your price range. Restrict the radius to one mile. I'll do the same when I get a few minutes and we can compare notes.
I would also suggest you drag yourself round some new build show flats - doesn't matter if they are way out of your price range. You are not buying one you are there to pick their brains and copy their design ideas. Take a note of the kind of accessories, what colours are in vogue etc.
Re the kitchen cupboard doors. No definitely don't wast your money replacing them. They are fine as they are, are they blue or geeen or dark grey. Can't quite make out from the photo. Instead I would be inclined to paint the tiles, you'll get much more bang for your buck and besides, that yellow is grim.
Soooo 80s dahhhlings.
And that's the crux of the problem - your flat is stuck in a time warp. It needs dragging, kicking and screaming into the 21st century.
And whilst we are on the subject of old fashioned ........what's a cool dude like you doing with curtains.......so old lady. You need blinds.
.
Tell me what colour the kitchen doors are and I'll tell you how to do a cheap makeover. Hopefully they are a nice dark blue or grey. A lot of people really don't
Iike green and a deep blue can be accessorised to look stylish and chic, whilst grey is very fashionable at the moment.
In the meantim you could make a start by giving it a deep clean, Windows, cooker and lose that bloody bin.
To be continued.......0 -
Ok.......the positives.
1. You say it's a good area, I can't comment - I have to bow to your local knowledge.
2. Amenities -, how close to station, bus routes, shops etc.
3. Noise levels, quiet street.
4. Size..... it seems a decent size and has good storage.
5. Outdoor space.
6. Parking.
7. Low service charges.
8. If I'm not mistaken you are on the top floor, a real plus.
Now those are your USPS. You need to milk them. You are not doing That. In fact you are throwing money away by not exploiting them
Especially that sorry excuse for a garden.:rotfl:
The negatives.
1. It has to be said it's not a pretty building. It's a typical bland 70s-80s box. You cannot do anything that.
2. The same Inside - the rooms appear to be rather bland and featureless, although to be fair they look to enjoy decent light and don't appear to be gloomy.
So.......given the lack of natural beauty or style inherent within the building itself you need to add it.
As I said it really neednt cost much. I haven't seen the bathroom so can't make a judgement there - please tell me the suite is not the dreaded avacdo.:rotfl: even so I could work with that.;)
What it needs is style, pizazz, glamour. Think James Bond.
In fact watch Skyfall and take a look at M's flat. That's what you need to aim for. And it can be done and it can be done on a shoestring budget. It's all about colour, some quirky modern art, a few tasteful accessories and some decent sized plants
But first you need to lose all that clutter. It's just too old fashioned and twee.
Let's go to the lounge first.0 -
The furniture place ent is all wrong. You've lined all the furniture up against the walls, like a doctors waiting room.
The TV Is blocking the window. And I can't tell from the photo (it is really bad, very washed out) but.......do you have net curtains at the the window........forgive me if I'm wrong but I can't tell. If you have then ditch them.
As for those "old lady curtains"..... I'm 65 and even I wouldn't give them house room. Either have nothing or get a blind. It's not a gigantic window and a blind won't break the bank.....IKEA do some paper ones and they look really cool. Cheap as chips too.
You have a coffee table set between the two sofas, bring it Into the room. Btw it's hopelessly old fashioned and doesn't match the sofas so either get rid, or paint it to match. TBH you can Buy a cheap coffee tabLe form IKEA - you need a pretty big one. It would look much better.
The sofas are nice, grey is very fashionable. They need to be spaced form an L shape with a square tabLe in The corner, with a smart table lamp. If you can't run to a table then a large cardboard box with a throw over it would do. (You could hide some of your treasures in it to make the room less cluttered).
Definitely get rid of the saggy past their sell date cushions and the throw. Leather furniture looks fine without cushions. you could save your money and just buy a nice fake fur throw - silver grey "wolf" style or "artic fox" would look fab. It would look great with the leather and add a real touch of luxury. You can get them for around £20. If you do decide to replace the cushions.......either tweed or suede but you may find you don't need them, so I would hang fire on those. You want to make the room look spacious so it might be a case of "less is more".
However, You really do need some colour. I suggest a huge fabulous colourful piece of art to go on the long wall. A poster will do, or one of those camvases but it needs to be biiiiiiig, and bold. The art you have is not displayed well, it looks too small and lost. Not sure about the clock, that would probably look better in the kitchen (instead if that blue calendar/poster thing which is all wrinkled and tatty).
You have an awful lot of ugly electronic stuff out.....very "blokey". Are you using it all, can you weed it out a bit and put some away.
Once you've done that then maybe just a few bits and bobs, maybe a rug but I suggest putting a decent coffee table in first and see how that looks. Definitely some plants.
I would like to see a view of the other wall, is there a fireplace I can just see. What's it like.
2nd bedroom.......
It looks both clutterd and empty. It needs reorganising. I wouldn't bother going to the expense of buying a bed, unless of course it is your intention to buy one anyway. You don't have to dress it as a bedroom.
Instead, Why not move some of the electronic stufff into the second bedroom to create a proper designated study - music room. Maybe add an armchair or something.??. As it is it just looks like a wasted room.
Now let me see your bedroom.........ooh er missus. Lol.0 -
Thanks LL/Smodlet .
Horrendous day today .
I will be moving things around in the living room today/ tomorrow .
Just thinking in my head , where things should go .
The leather furniturevis tired . If I had cash, that would be going to a charity shop.
Garden . Probably next week it will be immaculate .
Was gonna take mon/ Tuesday off as mentioned. Will try for next weds/ Thursday . Have to be at my flat to sign for delivery of bark chippings.
Kitchen - ceilings need to be painted properly. Made a hash last year, painting whilst extremely ill. Not really up to it .
Was thinking of Lino tiles . Also replace cupboard doors.
Expensive ??
Main bedroom . Might move bed around . Desperately need another mattress at least . Will be dismantling a glass shelving unit and Put my small to on a speaker stand . ( looks good actually)
Spare room: not sure if I should put computer desk into living room instead.
There would only be bass guitars ( which are hanging on wall ) and a fitted wardrobe left.
Yes , I will look into flowers this week.
Was thinking of dry flowers for living room .
I will call c b , once this is done and get new pictures .
Awaiting feedback from 3 viewers, but not holding breath .
Thanks0 -
My god LL!;)
Just as I was typing , so were you .;)
The leather furniture is green . Surprised you like it sort of . It's well worn.
The TV is going into the corner. No nets on the Windows here.
Yes , I have a fireplace . Very basic .
I have quite a few scenic pics on the walls , which look better in person ( not too small for living room ).
Blokey stuff, going into spare music room .
I'm gonna do this room in a few minutes time.0 -
Ok. Just had another look at the lounge.....
The sofas need to be swapped round, with the three seater Going along the long back wall. It would look better balanced.
Don't worry about sofas being a bit shabby. Personally I,think leather furniture looks better when they are a little "lived in". Leather is very forgiving. You can buy leather restorer, it works wonders. Look on Amazon or eBay.
If they green then go for a warm honey brown fake fur rather than silver greys, or maybe a chunky woollen tweed effect.
No don't put desk in living room. I think It will look too cluttered.0
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