Quite a few viewings, not a single offer or second viewing

Rambosmum

The listing is clearly fine otherwise you wouldn't have had 15 viewings. its something in the flesh that's the issue - I'd hazard a guess that it smells. Could the tanks live elsewhere for a few weeks? The photos make it look a little cluttered, I suspect it looks more so in real life. I'd rent a storage until and take anything you don't use at least weekly down there. 

numbercruncher8

I think a declutter won't do any harm, but isn't going to make much difference, you are pulling in the viewers.
Renewing the lease would make it more appealing, IMO and be a quick and easy win.

There are some flats in the same S018 postcode which are cheaper, what is the difference between something like this? That is £110k and has a garden, and is closer to the station. At prices only a little above you're getting more modern flats with en-suites or balcony. I don't know there area, there may be a good reason for it.

It does seem that some flats are sitting on the market a while, so perhaps other areas are more attractive. Not much you can do about that. 

ace33

I understand the tanks are difficult to move and assume you want to keep them? We have several and obviously couldnt move them for viewing but we closed down the smaller ones and split all our small animals between the parents for a few weeks while we have the inital viewings. Could you not dismantle the rabbit cage and give him a smaller one temporarily that you can move to the shed at least while people are viewing? That would open up your front room too. Could you put some of the excess house plants outside or in the greenhouse for a while? We even put our cats in the shed for the 10 mins people were walking round.

warby68

Late to this one but if you've had 15 viewings it isn't the listing or the price , although the photos do put me off instantly and its not the prettiest from the front.
It seems far more likely that something in reality is a problem (smell is the obvious possibility) but perhaps there is something about the garden, the access, parking or what's nearby that isn't obvious in the listing. Also, not sure how to word this, but you mentioned about wanting a buyer who likes bunnies and only jumping on the stamp duty bandwagon - possibly just flippant remarks but is there anything about you and partner that might not entice buyers. Not as offensive as it might sound, I mean do you come across as serious about moving or very selective about buyers, do you talk about the animals and how hard it is to move them, something like that.
I'd still go ahead and get a better presentation as perhaps there is another raft of potential viewers who were put off by the photos and never came ( please don't take offence, but I did smile at how little you bothered to tidy up) 
I'd press the agent a bit harder too - after 15 viewings they must have something to suggest even if its a tricky conversation.

GixerKate

Decluttering is the way to go also if you can, add some pots of brightly coloured plants to the outside as that always helps.  There seem to be quite a few fish tanks, that could be offputting to potential buyers who don't share your interest, can some of them be re-homed on a temporary basis?

The decluttering needs to be for the photos and viewings, we filled our car with everything we could to clear the tops of everything.

In the main bedroom there seems to be clutter underneath the bedside table and the mirror is propped against the wall, I would suggest removing all of that and shifting the bed to the middle of the room underneath the window.  There is a  lot of clutter in the bathroom which is hiding how nice it is, I would suggest getting a box and popping all of the bottles etc in it and only keep one or two plants.  Also, do you have a shower?  its one of the things I always look for.  Kitchen looks good though I would lose as much as possible from the counter tops.  Picture 7 I assume is the second bedroom?  Its difficult to get a feel for the potential of the room, would be great if you could make it look more like a bedroom or office, something that people expect.

Good luck with the sale!

TBagpuss

I agree that there's a big chance that it is your rabbit which is putting people off. The photos look very cluttered and while you may not notice any smell, there will undoubtedly be some smell associated with the rabbit - it may be fairly pleasant smells such as hay and arm fur, but it will be noticeable to people who do't have a house rabbit.

I would also be thinking about whether there may be issues with damage caused by chewing.

I would strongly recommend that you ensure that there is nothing at all relating to the rabbit in any of the indoor photos - no run, no cage, no hay boxes, no toys, and also move them out of the way for any viewings - presumably you would be able to put the run into the garden and let the rabbit graze for a little while you have viewers - a rabbit in a run in the garden is far less likely to be off putting, but if that is not possible then do something else - if need be, put the bunnies in their carrier and put that into your car for the duration!  I's also recommend that you think about hiring a rug doctor or similar to do a really deep clear, especially of areas where the bunnies spend most time, and then make sure that you vacuum before each viewing. While I am not a fan of air fresheners you may find that something like Neutradol is a good idea in the room the rabbits live in, prior to reach viewing.

If you are able to move the larger tank to a friend or family member's home while your home is on the market I would do that , so you only have, at most, one tank. 
I would also try to declutter - at the moment, you have stuff everywhere so it looks cramped and also gives the impression you don't have enough storage space - so for instance in your kitchen, put away the clear crockery and then clear the surfaces so you don't have anything except the toaster, kettle and  microwave on the surfaces.

Same in the living room - clear away the clutter from the shelves under and above  the fish tank , either put the blankets away out of sight or if they are throws for the sofa, use them as such before you take the pictures.

Looking at the photo of the bedroom it looks as though there is a dark line along the bottom of the skirting I would check whether you need to clean more thoroughly, of if there is some old mould or something you need to try to get rid of. If it is a shadow then I'd try to play around with lighting and angles for that picture to see if you can make it less obvious.

All that said, I think if you are getting viewings but no offers then it's likely that there  is something, whether it is a smell, clutter or some issue with the location, which is putting people off.
(Agents don't want to to make critical comments for fear of offending. When I was selling my last house, when I asked the agents if there was anything they thought I should do to better present the house, they said no. When I was more specific e.g. "I'm aware I have massive amounts of books, do you think that's putting people off ?" Or, I know the bathroom is very dated, is it best to have photos which show the very old shower so people know the worst before they arrive?" they were much more willing to respond and to make helpful suggestions, as it was me not them making the initial criticism.  So it may be worth you asking the agents specifically - "We don't notice any smell, but do you think there is a noticeable smell from the rabbits or the fish tanks? " or "Do you think seeing the rabbit's run is going to be putting people off when they view - would it be better f we moved the run to the shed / garden when we have viewings?" they are more likely to give you a useful answer. 

getmore4less

kellie530 said:

DCFC79 said:

kellie530 said:

Hi everyone,
Like most, we’ve jumped on the bandwagon to try and move whilst we can get free stamp duty.
We currently live in a maisonette that my boyfriend owns. We put it up on the market at the end of July, and have had 15 viewings so far.
We’ve not had a single offer or request for a second viewing, the feedback is quite bland and not helpful. Main comments are kitchen is too small (we can’t change the size of it), and that the private garden is nice.
I don’t think our estate agents are being critical enough so we’re guessing what we need to change to sell it, would anyone have any advice? 

Rightmove property id is 82632427, it’s not letting me post the link!!

https / www .rightmove.co. uk/ property- for-sale/ property- 8263242 7.html
This the one ?

You can post links, it will just have some spaces in it

Yes it’s this one! Didn’t think to add spaces!!

I find you can drop http://www. and whats left does not get picked up as a link but cuts and pastes into chrome fine


 rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-82632427.html

getmore4less

lets go straight to the sold data and find the place from the market info tab
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/so18/vale-drive.html

No.17 May 20 £165  ground floor so garden probably attached to the back of the property.
No.59 Oct 19 for £117.5k(project) last year.
No.33 June 19 £155k ground with  a conservatory.

Looks like some on that road are bit bigger inside .

right move says it is this one.

8 Vale Drive, Midanbury, Southampton, Southampton SO18 4SU

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/detailMatching.html?prop=58130705&sale=89401905&country=england

Doing a google maps your garden areas seems to be exposed to an area of garages on the west side might be security issue.


You have a shed, declutter into there and move the rabbit in there as well even better if you can get the fish tanks.

Does next door use their garage(do you know them) might be somewhere to store some stuff.

Looking at the other property around you are in the right ballpark at £150k for 2 beds expect  offers lower once you work out what is putting people off after viewing,

I think your garden needs a good tidy and the shed and fences a refresh.

The seat look like it is not used and needs a clean. 

south west facing needs a picture with the afternoon evening sun once it is past those massive trees.
Who looks after the front garden?

I see a few down that street have done off road parking is parking an issue, 

https://planningpublicaccess.southampton.gov.uk/online-applications/search.do?action=property&type=custom
100060738925 | 8 Vale Drive Southampton SO18 4SU
looking at the planning map not much going on to put people off.
https://planningpublicaccess.southampton.gov.uk/online-applications/spatialDisplay.do?action=display&searchType=Application

davidmcn

It's what the agents seem to do with their other properties too, but there's no address in the Rightmove heading, which seems a bit odd. Don't know whether they think that's a cunning psychological trick to entice people in, or they're just incompetent at entering the info onto Rightmove.

lincroft1710

That living room is too small for a flat with 2 bedrooms, the kitchen is also too small. Unfortunately that can't be altered. But you can stop the place looking like a cross between Kew Gardens and a Sea Life Centre (as well as a local Pet Farm)