Seller feedback

lika_86

You may end up with the offeror you currently have but other than the stuff everyone has mentioned about clearing up, the things that stuck out to me (which could be changed relatively easily) were a lack of a real dining table which shows you can get one in the lounge area and anything which really shows the size of the second bedroom. It's described as a double ans the measurements suggest you'd get a double bed in there but it's hard to visualise in distorted estate agency photos with nothing to go on. 

pinkshoes

I don't like the online photos. It makes the house look unloved!

Particularly the garden - it doesn't look inviting!

Make the bed neatly with nice sheets.

Paint those oppressive dark kitchen beams. (We removed ours! )

Photos of gym equipment stuffed in corner are not needed.

Bathroom looks cluttered. Move curtain out the way and put stuff elsewhere! 

Some small fixes will have the house looking fab. Get some new photos uploaded to Rightmove.

Rachelredwood16

angelasocks said:

Thanks Rachel - if anything I've made a few improvements since the photos were done - nothing much just fresh paint and emulsion in between viewings but the house looks a little brighter. One viewer said the kitchen looks tired, another said kitchen looks pretty new (unless he forgot his glasses). 

I think you're probably right they just didn't click with the property.

I was buying a friends house but they have decided to put theirs on the market in September so I'll probably take mine off, do a little work on mine and put back on in Spring.

You're welcome. I think saying it's dated or not to their tastes is much more polite than saying its in poor condition. Poor condition to me would be broken items, unclean, untidy, in need of repair, not updating a kitchen etc. I recall you saying that you were buying a friends property, which I'm sure is a real shame now but may be a blessing in disguise? You may have found it awkward to negotiate on things if needed and ask questions if you don't want to upset anyone. Alternatively, it doesn't mean you can't still put in an offer whilst still marketing yours. I've also read that summer is normally a down period in selling anyway so maybe next spring time may be a better shot. But if people aren't interested due to the kitchen and bathroom being outdated you may either need to replace these with simple, modern design to not put people off thinking "this isn't to my taste" and still ripping them out or reducing the price. What does the EA think to all of this? 

Rachelredwood16

angelasocks said:

Thanks youth-leader "Spend the very very minimum, I regret every penny I spent trying to sell my house".  Agree if I spend 5k on a new kitchen I'm not going to get that back.  £200 on kitchen door makeover probably worth the effort.

Fictional faulty central heating (lol) I don't know why people just make up stupid stuff when they view a house.

I had one trying to get a big discount because they said there was cat litter everywhere.  I have 2 cat litter trays. 

Updating kitchen doors sounds like a good idea, will make it appear newer for a lot less cost!

Rachelredwood16

Ponsienella2 said:

The things that strike me are:

The lighting looks drab. Wherever you have a normal bulb, swap them for 'daylight' bulbs (wilko are reasonably-priced) as that light makes rooms look much fresher. 

Kitchen
The first picture of it is very drab, although the second is better. (Photographer's fault).
There are no plinths under the kitchen units (and you have clutter underneath them). It looks unfinished.
The worksurfaces in the kitchen have too much stuff on them. People need to feel they have plenty of worksurfaces. Can you try and put some of it away?
The kitchen wallpaper is damaged and, actually very drab. Straight away a buyer is aware they will have to strip the walls and redecorate. What are the walls like underneath? Could the paper be stripped off and the walls just be painted in a bright but fresh colour to give it a wow factor?

Garden
This is what my husband noticed first.
If you don't look after your garden then people may assume you don't take care of your house either.

Bathroom
It does look dated. The grout between the tiles looks like it could be whiter (although it could be  bad photo).
I would buy a new bright shower curtain to inject some life into the room and just make sure it is very clean.
If you can afford it, replace the taps so they are more modern.

Bedroom
The blue of the walls is very nice.
However, you need to make it look as if you care by making the bed properly and ironing the duvet cover. Better still, buy a new one because that one does nothing whatsoever for the room.

Miscellaneous
Why have you got a trampoline in your lounge?
Where do you keep your clothes? I can't see any wardrobes. That might make a buyer wonder where they will put theirs.

My previous comments were before I looked at the link, so apologies as part of what I said may be irrelevant now. I agree with all of this. The kitchen itself looks fine to me, the doors and countertop are fine. Although, you can see the edge of the board on one so I'd cover that up and make these changes. I also noticed the bed wasn't made properly, the garden looks untidy and things are cluttered. I'd repaint like others have suggested, tidy the garden and put kitchen plinths in as a minimum and remarket. All these won't cost much but could make a difference to getting an offer or £100s, if not £1,000s more. 

We painted areas of walls that weren't properly done when we moved in (new build) but we weren't bothered about, did a thorough deep clean and decluttered and the EA said it made a huge difference from when they came to value our house vs when they came to take photos. Small things really add up and just take your time and a little money. People also make a bigger effort for the photos than the actual viewings so this is probably the best your house looks to a prospective buyer.

Flugelhorn

I bought a bedspread (fleece) which was easier to get looking smooth than sheets and easier to keep tidy for viewings

liberty_lily

I don't know the area at all so can't comment on the price.

Well done on getting an offer, although I agree with hazyjo that you shouldn't just accept it without a bit of negotiation...

Just in case, I'd also be getting your EA to retake the pics if things are looking better since you tidied the garden, kitchen etc. Definitely put the trampoline etc in the shed/don't have pics showing these - don't want to look as though you're lacking storage!

I don't think the kitchen is too bad either (although nor my taste) - it just needs clutter removed and those dark beams lightening with paint, plinths attaching etc. I actually wouldn't go to the trouble/expense of changing the doors at this stage, although you could check them out and consider doing it if new pics don't bring additional viewings/increased offers.

I agree that a quick way to make beds look better is by adding a bedspread/quilted throw or similar which does away with the need to iron crumpled bedding 😉

Good luck - I think it's a cute little cottage that will make someone a lovely home!

angelasocks

Thanks again everyone - I'll get busy over the BH weekend do as much as I can with the quick fixes anyway. 

At least if my seller pulls the plug I've got some direction on what to do with it.

The kitchen has high gloss vinyl so it might not paint over too well - still undecided on this one.

MovingForwards

@aoleks

I viewed a neglected property, the age didn't put me off, nor the amount of work to get the niggles sorted out, let alone the cost to bring it to what I wanted. I quite bluntly told the EA it was vastly overpriced for what was needed and if I made an offer it would be quite insulting to the seller (£25k off a £75k property). As it was another one down the road appeared on the market, fresher, not needing work and was cheaper.

The property I actually purchased is over 110 years old, the kitchen is at least 20 years old, lounge 40 years old, bathroom 60 - 70 years old with some 20 year old changes. I've not even attempted to look into the age of the GCH. It was also a rental before I got it. However, it was a blank canvas for me to tweak while saving up and is homely following a few pots of paint and change of handles.

When viewing it was tidy, very clean and nothing looked 'off' or neglected, same as the EA photos presented it.

That's why I suggested to OP about sorting the little bits out, as people immediately think work has to be done before moving in, rather than being able to move in and do things at their leisure.

housebuyer143

Please do not paint your kitchen or bathroom. It's a waste of time and money because people will clearly see it's painted and no amount of paint will stop it needing to be replaced as it looks to have come to the end of its life.  It's not likely to get you anymore money. 

I would say you need to reduce the price, or give it a good declutter, clean, lick of paint on the walls if you wanted, and definitely tidy up the garden. I think that will go far in helping it. 
Because it's a 2 bed you really will only likely appeal to FTBs who want a bargain and don't mind a renovation, or an investor who will flip it, but they will definitely want a bargain.