Waiting for a buyer... Anyone want to join me?

Jox

Hello Gru, welcome

I would say perhaps remove the listing from Rightmove / Zoopla etc and relist in September. Zoopla shows the increases and decreases and as your house has been on since Feb that might put people off and they may only be looking at the houses most recently up for sale.

If you want you can put the Rightmove details and we can have a look?

Gru14

Hi Jox, thanks for your reply!

I won't post my rightmove link because I just get a bit worried about someone stumbling across it on here with all my grumblings!

I know that there are things we could do, usual suggestions to improve the property. For example I recently put in 2 new bathrooms but the kitchen units are old (very tidy and good condition but old nonetheless!). I chose to put new carpets in a few years back when I redecorated rather than that clean laminate look people like and 2 of the rooms have pale mint walls rather than neutral.
Most annoyingly, we have a lot of furniture as we combined two properties worth into here and although it benefits from my cleaning and tidiness OCD, it probably looks a little busy but I've got no where else to store things so it can't really be helped.

Do you think its worth removing a re- listing within space of just a few weeks then with a new asking price? Do you know if you can ask your Estate Agent for fresh photos? (first time seller alert here)
I'm nervous as if we reduce again it will be as low as we can go and yet no guarantees it will work.

Decided I never want to go through this stress again, that's one lesson I've learnt!!

smallholdingsister

I was told by housenetwork that it had to be removed for three months to show as a new listing on RM.

If you drop the price it will show up in recently listed searches again.

It is hard to know whether patience or price.

Jox

Here's an article about relisting:

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/mortgageshome/article-3674989/Beware-portal-juggling-Home-buyers-sellers-warned-new-trick.html

Maybe Gru could remove the listing and dress the house for the sale and get new photos done showing the house as uncluttered as possible?

When I had my photos taken each room was totally decluttered (many of my things were put in my husband's van which was then stolen so that didn't work out too well! and other things were put in the electricity meter cupboard temporarily).

We painted each room in magnolia before the pics were taken and had a new duvet on the bed and bought some flowers from the supermarket to brighten up the place.

When the pics are taken make sure all the lights and lamps are turned on.

Have a look at other houses for sale online and see how they are presented, what puts you off and what do you like about their ideas?

Gru14

Thanks for the advice, it's really helpful.
My other thought was, do people think EA makes a difference? I'm with Foxtons and whilst they've been really nice, great comms etc I'm just wondering if changing could be an option. I'm still constantly getting chased by other agents.

sheff6107

smallholdingsister wrote: »

I was told by housenetwork that it had to be removed for three months to show as a new listing on RM.

If you drop the price it will show up in recently listed searches again.

It is hard to know whether patience or price.

You also have to drop it by 2% to get a reduced label and for it to go back to the top of the listings.

sheff6107

Gru14 wrote: »

Thanks for the advice, it's really helpful.
My other thought was, do people think EA makes a difference? I'm with Foxtons and whilst they've been really nice, great comms etc I'm just wondering if changing could be an option. I'm still constantly getting chased by other agents.

I don't think so personally, unless your current agent has made a hash of the Zoopla/Rightmove listing. In which case I'd get them to fix it or improve the photos.

If a house isn't selling, your estate agent will just tell you its the price.

BrassicWoman

looks like our chain is complete - 4 people, but the top one is going into a new build with a 28 day exchange requirement.... I think that also means no one gets a completion date though! Is that correct?

Gru14

Well, after a lot of soul searching today I think I've decided to come off the market and relist next year. After 6 months of stress and living in limbo I've caved.

There's no pressure on us to move other than what we're putting on ourselves and I think I will regret it if I reduce any more just because I'm impatient.
Give me time to get a fresh lick of paint on, stick a new kitchen in and come back when the market isn't quite such a drag anyway.

Hooray to being able to let my flat feel lived in rather than constantly having things shoved in cupboards and fluffing up cushions.
Thank you for the advice on here, it has played a part and knowing other people are in similar situation definitely helps. Good luck to everyone and I'm sure I will return!

Seanymph

Good luck Gru.

Our viewing was at 10.30 this morning, and no one has contacted me. I wanted an immediate phone call of course!

How long does it usually take to get feedback? Is it a good or bad sign not to hear straight away do you think?

I'm assuming that if they hated it they would say that quite quickly?

Oh the suspense.