The Best Is Yet To Come

slm6002

Sorry to hear you are feeling poorly too DFW, I hope you are on the mend soon.  I read the morning briefing for school and 6 members of staff were off and we only have 23 to start with.

I am still full of cold but the switching between hot and cold has slowed down much more which I am hoping is a good sign.  They still have all the sick people down for invigilating tomorrow so I will hopefully be able to go in, even if it is only for a little while.

Normally every few weeks the estate agent calls and updates me on number of viewings each week.  It has been quite steady.  Today I got an email asking me to drop the price by 10k so it is seen in the bracket below on RM.  That is a big drop and no doubt why I had an email rather than an awkward phone call.  I don't know what to do.  The number of 4 beds for sale in the area is increasing and none of them are moving  We are still one of the cheapest (2 slightly less than us but have also been on the market for a while).  I cant see the bungalow dropping by similar amounts should I sell at less, and there are no other suitable houses in the area, or at least not in my price range.  Will it make other people look or do people generally look above their price bracket and hope they can make cheeky offers.  I know if I go down there is no way you can go back up later.  Very confused and want it sold, but no point if I then cant afford anywhere else. 

alipops1986

Hi Slm,

I'm de-lurking to say...
I wouldn't necessarily do the full 10k the estate agent suggests, they just want to sell regardless of price really and any buyer would probably want to negotiate from the asking price anyway. When we've bought houses, we haven't looked too far beyond our maximum budget as there's no guarantee the sellers would negotiate, as you mention. 
You could reduce it by a little amount, if you have that flexibility, to see if that makes a difference initially? 

debtfreewannabe321

Morning Slm, housing seems to be dropping in price here too? I keep an eye on RM even though I have only just moved as I don't want to overspend on works to the house. What I have noticed is estate agent pics are what seem to get people through the door. I asked for a few of mine to be retaken when selling, I had seen some on RM that were great and I wanted the same so I showed them what I was after, and they took them. Before pics were taken I staged the house like a showroom with plants and stuff to make it seem inviting, homely and spacious (even though one of my houses was a mere 600sq ft). Could you get some new ones taken, or a new write up, make it seem 'new' on RM so people take a look. If you fail to get looks on the first scroll through I wonder if you lose them altogether. I also was told by my EA if they hadn't sold it within 20 weeks I could go elsewhere, how long have you got to wait before you can get another EA to advertise for you? I would try these tactics first before dropping price. However you're probably right if housing stock isn't moving you will probably break even on the house you like because that also should have dropped in price. 

debtfreewannabe321

I Pm'd you @slm6002

slm6002

Thank you DFW.  We are on week 8 of a 12 week contract.  I need to check when I would need to give notice if I decide to change. The agent did just take regular photos on her phone and they could certainly be improved. The lighting doesn't show things off in a way that it could.   There are other agents that use the 360 viewings so you can look round the house like a 3d image.  I did wonder if this would be a better idea?  I think I am going to touch up some bits of the house and get some more photos done, either with this agent or the next.  DD2 is quite handy with a camera so might see if she can improve on them too.

Well I went back to work today and invigilated the exam.  I caught up with some work and re-did some bits that were done while I was away.  My head feels much clearer but still lacking in energy quite a bit.  This weekend needs to be a lazy one with planning from the sofa and minimal doing so that I am back up and running properly for next week.  I picked up some pizzas on the way home so we have a nice easy start to the weekend.  We have nothing planned other than the older 2 going to work.

DS has finished college until September.  My boss has suggested he has a to do list with jobs around the house.  I can imagine how that will go down but will suggest it - I might be surprised lol.

slm6002

Feeling a little brighter and energetic this morning so after  I took DS to work I started tackling the big pile of washing,  have moved some furniture around and having a good sort out.  Not 100% sure furniture shows the room in a better way but will see how it goes over the next week before we change back if needed.

I also really need to cut the grass as it is not looking good to anyone walking by.  However I think it is too wet to cut (sent text to dad to ask the question).  I have had to sit down every so often as clearly still not completely over the bug, but will pace myself and get a few more tasks done I hope.  Oh and I really need to go food shopping before the end of the day, so I need to have a think on what we will want to eat and write a list.

slm6002

Shopping completed - food is just so expensive now.  I think I need to go back 10 years and get back to my old ways of stretching every bit of food.  The children were obviously were a lot smaller then and didn't notice so much but needs must.

More furniture moved, and boxes gone through.  Rubbish bags filled and charity box filled.  Why have I kept old bottles with next to nothing in them, or bath fizzes when we no longer have a bath!

I plan on finishing 1 more load of washing, then stopping and starting back up tomorrow after work.  Showers and bed 

slm6002

Another day done.  Just band for DD2 and then we can rest, although it doesn't finish until 9.30 so by that point I will be ready for bed.  I didn't sleep well last night so hoping to do better tonight.

Now that we have been on the market for 8 weeks we must have hit another milestone as today other agents have been contacting us by post to change over to them.  I have had a look and may well change over, but need to find the contract I signed with the old one first to see when I need to give my notice.  I currently can't find it and it is not with the rest of the other house bits.  Starting to wonder if I actually had a copy.  I have emailed and ask for a copy to be emailed to me.  If they want commission from me they need to sell in the next 4 weeks or I will be going to the agent that has better photos and a 360 camera, is on more of the selling sites and seems to be selling houses in the area much quicker, for the same fee.

Ok time to take DD2 to band, will return some shoes we no longer need at the same time that we bought last week at asda.  Nothing required so just money coming in

debtfreewannabe321

Well done on all the clearing. I chose an estate agent with a 360 tour and paid for my listing to be at the top of RM for two weeks as a star listing. And if it hadn't sold (it had) they would put It back up there every three months I think it was for a week or so (cycled with others). Definitely worth shopping around with EA's...I went with the one who was offering all the extras on the packages. 
Hope you get a good night's sleep tonight ♥️

slm6002

Thanks DFW I slept a little better but still not great.  When I moved my bed I think the mattress turned so I think I just need to get used to it again.

Half day today, then got many jobs to do.  More cleaning, pick some books up from the library,  collection from tescos, online appointment.  All this before picking DD2 up from her performance practice and heading on to run sports club.  Need to get the jacket potatoes cooked so they only need reheating after club as we don't have time before to eat.

Right time to get moving