Issues selling flat - help!

FTB_Help

EmmaYo said:

FTB_Help said:

EmmaYo said:

@FTB_Help hello! We can't get rid of it as such (it's a bespoke Chesterfield which was a wedding gift!) but I think there's a consensus there is too much in the pics, so I'll perhaps have the room re-shot without the chair, Thanks for the tip!

Yes that's exactly what i meant, not literally throw it out 😄 if you can get a new pic without it removed from the room (and possibly the video)

It did feel cramped in the video tour and looking at the other flats in your block they did look a bit more spacious because that section of the room was open/ empty.

Other than that i think its a lovely flat, the balcony is a nice bonus, maybe string up some fairy lights and get a pic during the evening with them on

    Oh, lol! Silly me! It's funny because I took the view some of the other flats looked stark and unlived in - and not in a trendy minimalist way. But agree stripping ours back a bit might be useful. And it's funny, the chair is actually something we got to fill a load of space that felt completely wasted, so totally respect what you're saying. We get the most beautiful sunsets, so perhaps I can get a couple of shots with those twinkly lights you suggest when the sun is setting!

Heres a pic of one of your neighbours, their living area looks very open and spacious, so having a bit more clear space in your pictures will really open up the space a bit.

Although i do see what you mean it can sometimes look unlived.

If you get really nice sunsets definitely get a picture, to really showcase the outside space you have, it can help entice people to come view and not have you in the maybe pile.

Having some outside space whether garden or balcony is a big must for most people now, so do sell this.

Pricewise you seem to be slightly below/inline with your neighbours so i dont think you need to adjust price.

[Deleted User]

Scotbot said:

I would leave the cat bowl in, there are regular posts here from people with pets coming up against leases that won't allow them. A pet friendly flat is a definite asset IMO. Plenty of alternatives  that ban pets for people who don't like animals.

Indeed - maybe Luisa here would be interested!

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6246354/help-with-cat-in-leasehold-flat-director-with-passive-aggressive-behaviour/p1

Crashy_Time

EmmaYo said:

@Poster_586329 that's under offer, the agent they listed with doesn't mark their properties when they are... For reference they were listed for a while but declined offers (and didn't realise they needed an EWS1 form last summer so ran into issues there) So in summary, we know issues aren't born out of lack of overall interest in our building / location etc.

They also reduced their price by 25k?

poolboy

Hi, landlord here nearby.  The flat is nice, 53 m2 for a 1 bed is spacious, lots of light, balcony.  If I was a buyer I would want to know the service charge, management company and ground rent.  Maybe not on general details but if the block is well run maybe just a short comment confirming it.  1 of mine has a management company I would avoid in future, poor value service charge and not particularly well run.  The other I have the service charge is low so when the flats come up for sale, the details state the low service charge.
Sales market is good, my neighbours flat just sold and is up for rent so investors are out there, the new buyer is getting a yield of 3.25% for comparison.
Good luck with the sale, sorry about the circumstances.

EmmaYo

Crashy_Time said:

EmmaYo said:

@Poster_586329 that's under offer, the agent they listed with doesn't mark their properties when they are... For reference they were listed for a while but declined offers (and didn't realise they needed an EWS1 form last summer so ran into issues there) So in summary, we know issues aren't born out of lack of overall interest in our building / location etc.

They also reduced their price by 25k?

Yeah. The unfortunate thing is that they listed at a time they couldn't sell, so my guess there came a point where they were forced to reduce 

EmmaYo

poolboy said:

Hi, landlord here nearby.  The flat is nice, 53 m2 for a 1 bed is spacious, lots of light, balcony.  If I was a buyer I would want to know the service charge, management company and ground rent.  Maybe not on general details but if the block is well run maybe just a short comment confirming it.  1 of mine has a management company I would avoid in future, poor value service charge and not particularly well run.  The other I have the service charge is low so when the flats come up for sale, the details state the low service charge.
Sales market is good, my neighbours flat just sold and is up for rent so investors are out there, the new buyer is getting a yield of 3.25% for comparison.
Good luck with the sale, sorry about the circumstances.

Thanks for the advice. Our initial buyer was a buy to let, shame we lost him. It's interesting you call out the square footage as good (which it is) My guess would be a lot of buyers pay more attention to the pictures than the numbers (particularly a first time buyer with less experience) so if the pictures sell it short that might be our problem - particularly at a time people are placing a higher value on space. I've taken some new shots this morning, time will tell if that makes a difference...

EmmaYo

@FTB_Help you were very right about the chair. Not perfect shots because of glare from the balcony, but the space is opened up. Thanks for the tip  

Crashy_Time

I think the space should be a lot less cluttered TBH.

poolboy

Ok thanks, your 53m2 includes the balcony at c 5m2, so for comparison you still have 48 m2 usable for a 1 bed flat.  I have a 1 bed at 40m2, its South facing single aspect though so looks a lot bigger.  Speak to your agent if investors are buying, if they are, maybe you could market to them and get the certificates done, epc 50 gbp, eicr, 200 GBP.  I don't know the rental potential of your block but if you can beat 3% gross yield you could try marketing to investors, there's a few groups on social media.  I m toying with selling 1 of mine but the cgt is eye watering, be warned if you go down the letting route.

EmmaYo

poolboy said:

Ok thanks, your 53m2 includes the balcony at c 5m2, so for comparison you still have 48 m2 usable for a 1 bed flat.  I have a 1 bed at 40m2, its South facing single aspect though so looks a lot bigger.  Speak to your agent if investors are buying, if they are, maybe you could market to them and get the certificates done, epc 50 gbp, eicr, 200 GBP.  I don't know the rental potential of your block but if you can beat 3% gross yield you could try marketing to investors, there's a few groups on social media.  I m toying with selling 1 of mine but the cgt is eye watering, be warned if you go down the letting route.

Hmm, in which case probably not a viable option for us, particularly as we’re loosing a fair bit of equity. My advice to anyone would be to NOT buy a new-build from a developer, but to buy one second-hand. Easy way to more of a bargain, which in time you’d probably sell for profit.