House not selling

ReenieMac

Davesnave wrote: »

It does look dated and depressing to this southerner, who's pretty dated himself!

What you and your agent need to realise is that many people clicking through the properties on Rightmove choose those they can identify with, and yours won't appeal to many younger people, except maybe those who enjoy DIY.

Add to that a garden that looks like Hiroshima did in 1945, and that's a extra turn off, even for those who might be nifty with a paintbrush.

I'm pretty capable with renovation, but when I look at a house like that, I know it won't stop with paint. Also, if I want stuff done in a reasonable time-frame, I need to get skilled help in. IMO £5k off the valuation isn't enough, simple as.

And if it's been on the market 5 months without a serious bite, that's pretty much what others think too.

Tough love is what you get here. Sorry!

Tough love is good, that's exactly what I wanted thank you. Hiroshima! :rotfl:Yeah it is pretty bad, but that's it after we've worked on it lol! Aye we realised and were told by the agent that whoever bought it would probably put in a new kitchen and bathroom as well as redecorate, carpets etc so it wasn't worth doing anything. However perhpas the garden is too much having thought about it a bit more. The house was valued at £120,000 taking into consideration all these things but we'd really like to sell it soon though so would consider dropping it further if that would make the difference. I think we'll try to tidy the house up a bit and see what can be done to the garden within a limit. Thanks for your input!

ReenieMac

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

Yes, mine too. The rest of the updating is either doable pretty easily and cheaply or liveable-with until you can afford it. The garden is so depressing and would cost a lot of money and hard work to put right.
Even if you just stuck a few colourful pots around it would look better. It also would look better done with golden gravel rather than that horrible grey.

So, imho, it is not the house that is the problem.

Ok thanks, yes we'll try to do something with the garden. Appreciate your quotes, C.S. Lewis was a wise man!

ST1991

Whilst the advice of not decorating because you won't get your money back is valid, if you are willing the drop the price then you could really spend a bit of money on redecorating...

For cheap/cosmetic, i would really recommend:
Paint the rooms in more neutral colours
Remove the shower head from the bath taps (as that to me, makes me think the main shower doesn't work)
Lampshades in each room
Maybe some greenery around the front of the house, and back garden.

If you wanted to go further than perhaps replacing the carpets with something more plain, and putting some furniture in it so people can imagine the layout (perhaps i've been watching too much buying and selling...)

Re-do the pictures with the changes, and i think it would at least attract more buyers to have a look, if nothing else.

I know it is a very shallow way of looking at it, but if there were 2 similar houses for similar prices, we would all go for the one without orange and purple walls.

ReenieMac

ST1991 wrote: »

Whilst the advice of not decorating because you won't get your money back is valid, if you are willing the drop the price then you could really spend a bit of money on redecorating...

For cheap/cosmetic, i would really recommend:
Paint the rooms in more neutral colours
Remove the shower head from the bath taps (as that to me, makes me think the main shower doesn't work)
Lampshades in each room
Maybe some greenery around the front of the house, and back garden.

If you wanted to go further than perhaps replacing the carpets with something more plain, and putting some furniture in it so people can imagine the layout (perhaps i've been watching too much buying and selling...)

Re-do the pictures with the changes, and i think it would at least attract more buyers to have a look, if nothing else.

I know it is a very shallow way of looking at it, but if there were 2 similar houses for similar prices, we would all go for the one without orange and purple walls.

Aye we let the last tenants paint some walls, didn't think to check it wan't purple and orange lol! Yes you're right re the decorating and tidying up, this thread has been veyr hepful to clarify our thinking, thanks!

Red-Squirrel_2

That's a doer-upper house, it might seem like its only cosmetic stuff but actually you're looking at new bathroom, new kitchen, getting proper heating installed, changing the fireplace, all new carpets and all new decorating (Will there be plastering work needed when the walls are stripped?) possibly electrics and loads of work in the garden.

I think you have two options. Do some work, toffee it up a bit and hope that the amount you spend is justified in the price you eventually get, or drop the price and sell it as the doer-upper it is.

Ed_Zep

Definitely paint it neutral as a start.

I hope it goes well.

Looks a lovely location up there.

jjjchughes

I feel ya. Our house has been up a while and we were really positive as its a great house at a low price but we've only had three veiwings. Its so frustrating as we are desperate to move. We, like you, lowered the price by £5000 but still nothing. Ours does need re decortating and new carpets but we've taken that into account regarding the price and offers.

Thrugelmir

Now it's the summer holidays market naturally cools down. Once the holiday season is over. Give it a few weeks and if there's no interest shown. Drop the price. Ultimately a buyer wants maximum value for their £. You need to make your property stand out.

bitsandpieces

I'd guess the non-neutral paint colours, dead-looking garden etc. won't have had much (if any) impact on HR valuation; they will be an expense/hassle for buyers to fix, though. Assuming there are other similarly-priced places with nicer decor etc. then I'd guess buyers will go for those 1st. Might be worth spending a small amount of time/money on a paint job, basic lampshades, a thorough clean etc - won't work miracles, but might help a little.

In terms of presenting this online, a floor plan with room sizes might be handy, and can the photos be made more flattering? Is the place advertised on your local SPC?

ProDave

I have had a look on hspc.co.uk. Not much competition, and your price looks right for a semi. You can get a 2 bed terrace or flat cheaper.

But this one seems too cheap? If I was a buyer I would look at this first, asking what is wrong with it to be so cheap. https://www.hspc.co.uk/Detached-Villa-For-Sale-30-Burn-Place-Dingwall-IV15-9NQ