Advice Re Selling Our House

Curv

We are looking to move house as we really need more space. We've seen three houses we really like but, quite reasonably, the vendors aren't accepting offers from people not in a position to proceed.

I've just spoken to the EA marketing our house about ways we can shift it more quickly. They have said that it's not worth dropping the price yet (it's been on the market a fortnight) as the market is so slow that it might not make that much difference and also it's being marketed as 'offers around' which indicates a willingness on our part to negotiate.

I discussed throwing 'stamp duty paid by vendor' into the mix but again they said it's unlikely to make much difference as it's not a FTB property and the properties they are marketing with SDPBV aren't moving either.

In short, they are stumped. They said the brochures are going out of the office well but no one is booking viewings.

I know it's not just my EA who is struggling - every EA I've spoken to recently has admitted to being dead as a dodo.

I've got my ex husband to put the spec up on his noticeboard at work (he works in a huge office about a mile away) and DS has asked even asked one of his teachers to put a spec up in the staff room (school is a ten minute walk away).

I know there is always the option to reduce the price hugely, but that will affect what type of house we can afford, so there's a limit below which we can't afford to go without first seeing a reduction in the houses we'd like to buy.

Am I missing anything? Or do I grow some patience and hope that one of the houses we like is still available if we ever get an offer on ours?

All opinions welcome - even the ones that say 'Just reduce the price, Dumb@!!!'

Conrad

I know many EAs due to my work. One is sales manager for a large London chain. They all say the market really has died this time and are'nt expecting anything until at least Feb next year.

The ONLY way you can increase your chances is by way of price reduction (an article in a couple of todays newspapers cites Yorkshire as having gone completely dead).

On the plus side - the houses you are considering buying will have to suffer a similar percentage price reduction, if they want to sell. So really you lose nowt.

lynnexxxo

Hi there

Assuming all is equal then if your house is not selling as there is a slump in the area then the house you hoping to buy is likely to be the same. But the vendors of the house you like don't seem desperate to accept your offer as you have not sold yet - suggesting they have other options.

Is you house overprice/needing work/dodgy decor?

If you post your right move link we can all have a nosey and put our 2p worth in!

chelseablue

Hello

A few questions if I may:

Where is the house?

What is the price?

Can you post a link to your Rightmove listing?

Also 2 weeks is nothing! Where I live a house has been up for 3 months!

Curv

All the EA's who valued it came up with the same figure. I don't believe it's dodgily decorated - last week we replaced the lounge, hall, stairs and landing carpets with something very neutral (the previous carpet was in when we bought it and was a tad garish!) and we've had a decorator to touch up all the paintwork etc. It's all pretty neutral apart from the bathroom.

We've done lots of maintenance work in the last year, including work to the roof, new windows and child-proofing the back yard.

All the vendors for the houses we like have indicated that our offers are 'acceptable' but are holding out for offers from people who are in a position to proceed - it seems to be standard around here at the moment and I fully understand why.

Rightmove link here

Thanks for your comments so far.

Running_Horse

Raise the price. That should do it.

bikerqueen

I wouldnt look at it with that listing - no pics of anything other than the front, no real description, no pic of the garden. all would put me off. is that the best the agent can do?

missimaxo

I agree - there are more photos on the link to full brochure - why not put them on the rightmove listing as well!

Pic of a loft bedroom confuses me a little - carpet is not neutral and why a double bed and a bunk bed? It looks very dark - can you brighten it neutralise it and give a proper "use" house doctor style - either a double bedroom or a kids room?

More infomration is needed - what appliances can you fit in the kitchen? Is that garage yours as it shown on photo and not listed.

Poor photo of lounge - looks too dark.

Can you neutralise bathroon - that blue is very overpowering. Again more detail on listing - brag about white suite etc.

I would not view as there is just not enough information. What about a garden? Off street parking? Personally I don't care about tranport links as I will find these out for myself - I want to know more about the house!

missk_ensington

If your house isn't shifting, you can probably rest assure that the one you want to move to isn't either!

kunekune

I noticed your house when it was listed but when I tried to get a closer look, the brochure was not very helpful (wish I could say it's because I'm in the market, but sadly I'm not, I'm just watching the area). I don't know what they are like IRL, but the brochures I find best are the ones that Boococks and Bennett Kaye do - they give me a really good picture of what the inside is like.

lynnexxxo

Curv,

I said in a previous post the work you have done recently to your house, well get the EA to get that on the website and bochure.

If there is indeed a slump on then its about time that estate agents actually earned there comission. Phone your EA and get them round to improve your listing ! Garden photos, outside photo that doesn't look like that tree (which I'm sure is nice in real life) is trying to attack you!