What to say when buyers ask why you're selling

Falafels

kmjas said:

We want more downstairs space and more of a garden but I don't want to highlight this. 

Why not? It's a perfectly valid reason for upsizing, and anyone viewing the house can see the size of the downstairs space and garden without you needing to hide it!

Thrugelmir

kmjas said:

 without pointing out the potential downsides of the house! 

If your buyers could afford more, they wouldn't be considering yours. 

Jeepers_Creepers

"It's been perfect for us for all the time we've been here, and it's a lovely area so we are staying in the locality, but we are now looking for...(add valid/truthful/little white lie reason)"

If you want more room, why? Have a good reason that fits - expanding family, wish to be able to invite family/friends down to stay with us/ working from home so need a dedicated study/office. If you want a large garden, it's why ditto; reached age where we want an outdoors hobby, always wanted a large summer house, kids/grandkids are always wanting to camp out...

None of that will make the potential buyer go "Gasp! The garden isn't big enough for a large summer house!" "Shock! The house isn't large enough for 10 people to stay over!"

Greymug

I'll put my flat on the market next month so I'll be dealing with viewings very soon.

I think I'll use that as an opportunity to put my creativity to the test and see what lies I can come up with

So far I've thought of:
- my girlfriend is pregnant so we need more space
- I recently got a big inheritance (relative died of covid if people ask, which they won't) so I can afford a better place
- my girlfriend landed a job in *insert name of random city* so we're moving

Why do I do it? Because why not 

Scotbot

Buyers also ask why you are moving to ascertain how long it is likely to take , do you need to find another property, is a messy divorce likely to delay things etc. Just be honest and say you can now afford more so  are upsizing. It is a bona fide reason!

babyblade41

It's easy for me as I'm downsizing literally , meaning looking for a bungalow 

scottishblondie

We were upgrading in floor area, garden and a better school, but the house could have lasted us many more years - the buyers having 5 kids versus our one baby!  I just told the truth when we were asked.  We love the house and the area (we were only moving about 0.2 miles) and hadn't had any plans to move, but our dream property had come on the market and we just couldn't pass it up.

moneysavinghero

This house is just so amazing in every way, and we just don't feel worthy living in it anymore. It's time to sell and let someone move in that actually deserves it - and i'm getting good vibes that you are those people.

Ditzy_Mitzy

Don't assume that what you perceive to be negative, small downstairs and garden, is actually negative.  A singleton or couple may not need or want anything bigger.  Lots of people dislike gardening and have no requirements for outdoor space beyond somewhere to sit, smoke a fag and watch the sun go down.  Assume that the buyer is looking at the house because he or she wants to buy it, not simply because it's within price range.  
If someone asks, specifically, just say that the garden is too small for your purposes.  It doesn't mean it's too small for the buyer.  

Jaybee_16

I told viewers to my property that I'd been there a long time and wanted to move somewhere for a change of scenery.