Struggling to sell

Doodles

If you are getting people through your door, this isn't so much about the photos in my opinion.

I thought your flat is nice, although bedroom looks cramped. Bathroom looks a little sad (sorry!) but nothing really photo wise that would stop me going for a viewing.

Top floor is a must for many, but no lift would be off putting.

The lease is putting people off. And shame about the timing of the major works too.

Sort the lease or reduce to reflect it.

pimento

In the main bedroom, get rid of the stuff on top of the wardrobe (even if only for the photos) and turn the bed around so it isn't under the window. If that means getting rid of a chest of drawers then so be it.

In the living room, I would turn the wine filled display unit around on its end and make it a room divider between your sofa and your dining table. I'd also clear all the half-dead houseplants out of the living room, it's bad feng shui.

Re-take the kitchen shot with the photographer standing up. The low angle makes all the cupboards look wonky and makes the space seem smaller.

jimbog

Oakdene wrote: »

Me too, my 3 bed terrace here in West Wales cost me £89,500

But that's because it's in West Wales

Ogriv

FWIW, I like it.
But the shortish lease would put me off.
So it might be worth starting the process of extending it.

All the best!

wesleyad

I really think I would wait it out a least another few weeks. If you are getting 4-5 viewings a week that's great, and I'd be very surprised if someone doesn't make an offer. It's when the viewings dry up that you may need to change something.

Out,_Vile_Jelly

It reminds me strongly of the flat I rented when I first moved to Croydon in my early twenties. I had lots of fun there, but when I was able to buy my tastes were quite different. A young couple thinking of starting a family surely wouldn't choose a flat with no lift, so it's really limited to young carefree professionals. Does your agent market BTL investors? If it's close to an airport it could be easy to rent to workers there.

dunroving

If you are getting plenty of viewings, the advert clearly ins't a major factor (though it could be improved).

There are some things that can put a lot of people off (I call them the "BUT" factors - "I loved the place, BUT ..."). Walking up three flights of stairs is definitely one of these, in my opinion. Steps have been an issue for some buyers with my property, and I only have 15 of them! You obviously can't change the number of steps, but as others have said, it limits the potential buyers to fit people without tiny kids with prams, etc. This would explain why the flat is slow in selling.

The other big "BUT" seems to be the lease. I think if you started the process of extending it, you can at least tell buyers the process is ongoing, will take X weeks, and the flat will be sold with a longer lease. Currently, you are making it the buyers problem and thereby reducing your buyer pool even further. Bite the bullet and get the process started, and you give the buyer a solution, not a problem.

hazyjo

Lose those darkening lampshades too. Get something glass or plastic to replace them and reflect the light. They really are studenty. I had this in my last house in a bedroom which allowed quite a lot of light.


https://www.therange.co.uk/ceiling-lights/pendants/two-tier-nouveau-pendant#689496


I'd pick a flat with a window in the bathroom over one without, so maybe check out your competition. Know it can't be changed - but you could maybe add a fancy mirror or something to at least distract and give some illusion of light/a window.


Agree that bed is totally in the wrong position. If it absolutely has to stay there, lose the headboard if possible. It's prob a complete bedframe, so decide if you can afford to replace it or put it in storage and buy a cheap base and a bigger duvet or quilt to hide it. There's not even a mirror or dressing table (not a big fan of dressing tables, but you should at least have a mirror over a chest of drawers with a few nice bits on top.


I love the bathroom colour, but it's all too plain making it feel too 'public loo'-like. You need to pretty it up. I'd actually move the mirrored cupboard (which in itself is dating your bathroom) along maybe behind where I think the loo is, and have a nice mirror over the sink.


Agree declutter the kitchen a bit. Too many plants on that windowsill. I'd just keep the white one centred and leave the rest. I know these all seem like really petty things, but you have a small kitchen and it's just sensory overload and your immediate reaction is 'clutter' and 'cramped'. It would just feel so much more appealing to a buyer if it were empty and simplified. Definitely lose the wine rack (especially with the drinks 'wall' being in the other room!).

Becks12

Thank you all so much for the feedback! To answer a couple of points, all viewers bar a couple have been first time buyers and women. There have been a few investors though. I'm not doing the viewings, the agent is.
The reason the furniture doesn't match is I don't have a tremendous amount of money (even though I live in London!) so was gifted furniture by friends and family when I first moved in. Its also why I had opted to sell rather than increase the lease. The actual lease cost will be £7,900 but there's thousands of legal fees on top. I don't know how much though.
I don't think the major works will be £1,000. I'm suspecting considerably more. If it were just that I'd pay it now! That is an extra amount to be added to the service charge to build up a sinking fund so they don't have to ask for large sums of money again in the future.
I'll take the furniture re-arranging on board and will view some of these new flats and get some tips to see what is seen as desirable. That is a great idea, wish I'd thought of that before.
Unfortunately I can't get a shower screen in the bathroom as its half tiled so the wall isn't flat to attach one. I wanted one! Bathroom is a bit crappy, I'm aware! Painting it is definitely an option along with the kitchen. I'm also going to look at hiring some storage space locally I think, its cheaper than I thought. Then get a nice man and van to help with moving some drawers, wardrobes, anything I don't need NOW out!
This has all been really very helpful, I show the ad to my friends and people at work and they say its really nice which is nice and all, but they're not going to buy it!
I spoke to my estate agents regarding the major works and they told me not to panic and reduce the price at this point as we don't know how much and the service charge isn't definitely going up yet. The lease length was factored in when valuing the property. There is another similar property on the market nearby for £305,000 which has the lease extended so I know increasing it would increase the value. I just am ready to move now!

lessonlearned

Well done on taking the advice so well. Glad you didn't take offence at the "student" remark.:rotfl:

Just stay positive, do the tweaks you can afford. I think it's a great flat it just needs a final "fluff". Try and add some glamour and luxury and I'm sure it will find its buyer.

good luck.

My little terrace house is on the market too. I love it, I've renovated it from top to bottom. I am not desperate to move but I'm itching to get onto my next project.