Advice on Selling My House

Ribena1987

dibblersan wrote: »

try turning the seating by 90 degrees maybe? then the picture isn't just the solid dark back of the bench. then i agree a pot of bedding plants or something - or the candlestick from the lav?

We do have the bench facing the other way now as default. Realised after the picture was taken that it looks stupid. Lots of people have suggested bedding plants so I know I need to go with that. Are you green-fingered because we aren't and every time we have had plants they just die or the flowers get eaten. Any advice on low maintenance plants and what bugs are eating them? Thanks

Ribena1987

Sunny_Intervals wrote: »

I know where you're coming from. Like you, I bought a midden at a discount and I'm doing what I can with the money I have. I'm lucky in that I'm not partnered up and there's no babies in my future, so I can stay here long term and only have my own tastes to cater to rather than fussy buyers.

For the kitchen, painting the tiles and the walls would give it a lift without costing the Earth.

The hallway feeling is partly to do with having the stairs and the front door in your living room (which you obviously can't change) and partly due to all the furniture on the opposite wall narrowing the room.

To be fair, though, you are getting viewers and you are getting offers, so people are obviously liking what they see, they just don't agree with the price. I'm not convinced that there's any little tweaks that will bring it up to your asking price and I don't think you'd get your money back if you replaced the kitchen entirely.


And because I'm feeling like a Negative Nelly, I should also add that it's great how clean and tidy your house is. I've seen so many that don't even put their laundry away when they know the EAs coming round for the photos, so it's great to see somewhere where someone clearly takes pride in their home.

We thought we were going to stay here long term then we had a baby and we really need to upsize. We are looking at buying a property at auction and doing it up (learning from our mistakes from this house).
I will definitely get tile paint. Great suggestion and will save me so much time and money. They are ugly tiles and I don't know what I was thinking 5 years ago! What colour would you suggest for tiles and walls?
I am very house pride and always try and keep it how it is in the photos. I've seen so many houses online where they are blatantly scruffy and they just don't care but they still sell. That's why it's hard to accept it is not selling. Plus I am very impatient!
I know now that i will never get £125k. I just literally wasn't aware until coming on here.

Ribena1987

Crashy_Time wrote: »

I would leave the tree, it isn`t about the tree, let any buyer decide if it stays or goes. The foliage gives a bit of privacy from people in the neighbouring drive and walking down the street IMO, and the totally bare look isn`t good on the front of a house, people visualise cars up on bricks, dumped rubbish, that sort of thing.

The previous owner was a recluse so he planted two conifers so people couldn't see in. We chopped one down and kept the other. I like it and it doesn't affect the natural light in the living room. However everyone has said cut it down so I have to accept I will need to get rid of it. I'm going to think of other ways to jazz up the front more. Thanks

Ribena1987

Oxid8uk wrote: »

I live not far from Nottingham and I have never heard of Hempshill Vale! Looking at the map I would have classed it as Bulwell.

It is technically Bulwell but Bulwell is made up of "estates": Hempshill Vale, Crabtree, Snape Wood, Sellers Wood. Bulwell-Bulwell is more near the town centre. Even the buses say "Bulwell then Hempshill Vale/Snape Wood". It's more of a local term. Hempshill Vale borders Nuthall which is very suburban so HV house prices are slightly more than Bulwell.

Ribena1987

sammyjammy wrote: »

I'm a single woman living in a small three bed Victorian terrace, if I ever move I will have to move at least half of my belongings into storage before I invite buyers round:rotfl: If I didn't any viewers would have a fit and think its not big enough for a single woman how would a family live here!

Can you pack up the book shelves and the contents and store them elsewhere, I think your house is really well presented but second the idea of second sofa (if you remove the bookshelves) and a table and chairs in the kitchen, some people just can't see the empty space beyond what you show them.

Thank you for your suggestions. I'm going to scale back the bookcases so there are less books and see how that goes. Some people on here like the books, others don't. I am considering a table and chairs but there is a breakfast bar (now with stools as of last night) so I will get and updated picture from EA and see if things improve. When I look at any house I see potential and past the clutter but I know what you mean about some people can't envision the space in any other way.

Out,_Vile_Jelly

The thing with conifers is they look very 70s, and are also fast growing and therefore high maintenance.

I don't think the fencing should be too expensive to fix if the wood's still good, just needs properly bracing? Might even by a quick handyman job rather than a specialist fencer's.

Ribena1987

TBagpuss wrote: »

Is your living room large enough that you can put the sofa at right angles to where it is now, to divide the spare into a hall area immediately inside the front door, and then a lounge area .Of not, maybe put it at a slight angle so it's less like a corridor.

I personally wouldn't have an issue with the bookshelves, but then I have a lot of books, so it doesn't look like a lot to me! That said, I would remove the things on top of the bookshelves, and consider moving one of them into the main bedroom, and getting rid of the CD shelves.It might also make sense to get tried of the big pictures behind the TV and the mirror and snapshots on the end wall, so the place feels a bit less cluttered.

I'd also get the fence fixed and get rid of the the concrete pot by the front door, even if that's difficult.

Is there anything you could do to make the bathroom look a bit warmer and less clinical?

Overall, I think it seems well presented, and you seem to be getting viewings, so don' t give up.

We used to have the living room configured as you have suggested. The TV and unit was where the mirror is. The sofa faced the TV. The bookshelves were on the same wall but pushed together. We changed it because we have a baby and she has more space rolling and crawling. She can just go from one side of the room to the other. It is also feels more spacious to us how it is now. i am getting rid of the CD/DVD towers though as they are unnecessary. The mirror is no longer there (no longer safe as baby now crawls). i will move the pictures behind the TV. The photos on the wall are of the baby. Do they look unprofessional?

That darn fence. pain in my a***. So angry.

Any suggestions about the bathroom. Do i need to have towels and soap out etc so it looks more lived in? There is now a plant in the window. I don't know how to make it less clinical.

getmore4less

sold in the last year 1 mile

June 2018 £106k

sort on price around page 5 has your £125kish 2 beds to do comparisons.
Feb 2018 £135k
March 2018 £128k

you can judge if they are better worse and the reasons but people are spending over £125k on 2 beds around you.

StumpyPumpy

Ribena1987 wrote: »

...We are looking at buying a property at auction and doing it up (learning from our mistakes from this house).

Do you have friends or family that have bought houses at auction? And/or people in the building trade who can quickly assess a house? It isn't something that should be considered lightly unless you know someone with experience who is willing to guide you through it.

One mistake can cost you a lot of money and simply being outbid on a series of properties can mount up too as you need to do all the prep work regarding securing loans, surveys, searches etc. beforehand and these are seldom cheap and never free.

You need to take into account that the reason vendors sell at auction is to have a quick, guaranteed sale and they are prepared to take a lower price to get it; whilst there are numerous reasons someone might want that, the most common is that there is something wrong with the house. It might simply be extremely scruffy and the vendors can't be bothered to sort it out, but many have structural problems and it is your job as a potential purchaser to find out about them. For instance people who, inspired by the TV programmes, have bought a house at auction that "just needed a lick of paint and a skip" only to find out that all the floors and roof needed replacing. You don't want to be left with an unsaleable and uninhabitable house, without the funds to fix it up.

SP

getmore4less

Ribena1987 wrote: »

Hazyjo:
The grass is now greener thanks to the much needed rain. I’ll look at making the front better.

Is it the bookcases that are making it look overfilled. I did wonder. Shall I get bookcases that hide the books? I might get rid of CD/DVD cases as they don’t serve a purpose anymore. We are really struggling for space (hence moving)

The EA called it a kitchen/diner because we have a breakfast bar (no picture). I ordered bar stools which are being delivered today so I’ll ask EA for an updated picture.

Candle stick is to the right of the loo. I can get rid.

The patio was like that when we bought the house. The garden (and house) was a state when we bought it and we have done the best with what little money we have. I agree it’s not the best so will have a think on how to make it better.

Thank you for taking the time to reply.

That's a clue,

you need that to be non obvious,

people will think if they can't fit in the place how will we.

you want nothing that says there is no place to put that, shoes coats, clutter.

Close the door to the kitchen when taking pics of the living room.

can you get the cot out of the bedroom to make it look more like a proper bedroom it's a bit narrow but should still get a double and storage.