Selling an Empty House

AdrianC

There's a big difference between a flat and a house, when it comes to the ubiquity of central heating.

SeasideSally

AdrianC wrote: »

There's a big difference between a flat and a house, when it comes to the ubiquity of central heating.

Yes, true. I meant that I'd been keeping an eye on properties in general, and in the area where our flat is there's quite a lot of storage heating.

One of the areas we've been looking at (to buy) has no gas at all.

AdrianC

SeasideSally wrote: »

One of the areas we've been looking at (to buy) has no gas at all.

"No (mains) gas" doesn't mean "no central heating". Oil boilers or bulk LPG are both widespread here in the boonies - we're on LPG, our neighbours are on oil.

But that's definitely a factor which will also help to make putative buyers nervous about a lack of CH.

pinkteapot

Personally I think the smaller the house, the (slightly) smaller the issue. If it's a small 2-bed cottage, no central heating is less of an issue than in a massive 5-bed detached house.

The issue you may have is a property of that size may attract first-time buyers who are unlikely to have much cash for jobs like that. After saving for deposit and fees they don't often have a lot spare for big DIY jobs.

The thing about installing central heating that's offputting to buyers is also less the cost than the disruption. Lots of holes needing to be made in walls. Lots of dust. Redecorating afterwards. It's considerably easier to do in an empty house than one with furniture in. If someone wants to do it, they'd probably try to postpone moving in till it's done.

However, there will be people who wouldn't bother installing it.

All houses have downsides and while this is a bigger one than most, it shouldn't stop you selling completely. Will just mean compromising on price compared to similar houses with central heating. And that it might take longer than average to sell, unless you really drop the asking price.

Speaking of which - if you've given the agent that much leeway on price, could you drop asking price if you're keen to get it shifted fast?

AdrianC

pinkteapot wrote: »

If someone wants to do it, they'd probably try to postpone moving in till it's done.

Which is one thing in an FTB property, but another entirely in a chain purchase.

DottieDam

It's a shame you aren't there for the viewers to witness the stove warmth and with it being empty it probably feels colder.

Personally, I'd love a wood burning stove and would be thrilled at not having to pay to install one myself. Lack of CH probably wouldn't bother me unless it felt really cold when I was viewing.

Storage heaters would massively put me off and think the stove wasn't sufficient and I HATE storage heaters!

Maybe you just have to wait for that one person, who like me, would be happy with the stove!

SeasideSally

pinkteapot wrote: »

The issue you may have is a property of that size may attract first-time buyers who are unlikely to have much cash for jobs like that. After saving for deposit and fees they don't often have a lot spare for big DIY jobs.

We were expecting first time buyers (as was one of the agents who came around to value the place), but we seem to be getting down-sizers instead at the moment. I think I can get inside the head of a FTB... not sure about down-sizers.

Speaking of which - if you've given the agent that much leeway on price, could you drop asking price if you're keen to get it shifted fast?

We did have a long discussion with the agent about the price. We are willing to go much lower, but he said he's happy to keep going at the price he set... and we don't want to try to teach our granny how to suck eggs.

We're not in a hurry. We just don't want to still be selling in 2030.

parkrunner

No central heating would stop me in my tracks. If you're prepared to drop the price the amount that the central heating would cost then just get it installed while the place is empty. As a buyer I wouldn't want the hassle of moving in and then having to get it done.

SeasideSally

DottieDam wrote: »

It's a shame you aren't there for the viewers to witness the stove warmth and with it being empty it probably feels colder.

Yes, we've tried to think of a way to be there in time to light the stove, but so far it hasn't been possible. The only time we did manage to get things just right, the viewing was rescheduled.

Storage heaters would massively put me off and think the stove wasn't sufficient and I HATE storage heaters!

That's interesting. I've heard that storage heaters are like Marmite... it's a love or hate thing, and there's no in between.

Maybe you just have to wait for that one person, who like me, would be happy with the stove!

I'd love to find someone like you. And they do say that patience is a virtue.

AdrianC

A woodburner is great - I wouldn't be without ours - but it's an "as well as", not an "instead of".