Unable to sell house

BobT36

Bailey1980 said:

annabanana82 said:

We've recently started to look at moving, I don't think you'll get a consensus on colours. I really don't like grey and glad we are starting to see less and less of it in the houses we are looking at.
Brand new grey carpets are really off-putting for myself as I'd want to pull them up but realise that's really wasteful so leaves me in a bit of a predicament. 
We are however planning on replacing our stairs and hallway carpet only as it's the first thing they'll see when they come in and it should have been replaced years ago.

Also on the pet side, I'm probably being fussy but I get put off by seeing a cat flap in the door, not only would I want to replace the door but I don't want a house that smells of pets.

What colour carpet do you think would be better especially with the walls being off-white? 

There's no cat flap and neither me or my other half who is super sensitive to smells noticed the pet smell after the house had been cleaned throughout and painted but again we might not have been alert enough and we will be putting in some plug in air -freshners and possibly getting another company in to do a deep clean. 

No one is going to buy or not buy your house just because it needs a lick of paint or a touch-up. These are small costs. That would matter if it's in a complete "state" and needs a full decoration. It doesn't. Patch up tatty bits just so no-one notes the "negative" and turn attention elsewhere. 

You and your partner both lived with pets. Pet smell is "normal" to you, therefore it's irrelevant how "sensitive" is. 
If you just received a one-off comment on that I'd ignore it as might just be a random excuse, which happens. However if you've had multiple, I'd take great heed of that and find the likely culprits. Carpets are likely. Unless they're new, whip them up and get cheap ones down. Buyers will notice cheap carpets but it's better than smelly pet addled ones. As long as it's "usable" on move-in it'll be fine. 
If only had ONE comment on "pet smell", ignore it all and only bother replacing a carpet if it's shredded. if they're just a bit old, buyers will note that, and just negotiate accordingly on small (thousands not tens) amounts, based on how many rooms will need refreshing. 

Wouldn't be wasting money on cleaners and "deep cleans" either. Just give it a hoover and wipe down! 

Again all these things are tiny niggles, tens or just a thousand pounds or two. Drop in the ocean compared to the HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of the price of the house. If you're not getting offers, there's 'something' really putting people off, or it's Tens of thousands, off. Likely over £20k-30k "off" as again you'd have got loads of lower offers attempting to negotiate already, otherwise. 

Bailey1980

BobT36 said:

Fully disagree with "staging" besides touching / patching up. Sorting radiator etc. is good as makes it look better, and one less job for buyers to do (and they won't wonder what else might be a problem..). 

A dabble of paint is fine to patch up any tatty bits (fill & patch up holes might help present better), but don't go "redecorating" or anything. 

Carpets, although I'd normally say not bothered, if 'a' problem is PET SMELL, then these are likely to be one of the culprits. Replace with cheap ones. Brown, grey or some sort of dark red (if walls are very white). 
This way they're cheap enough that it doesn't feel "wasteful" to replace, but at the same time better than bare floors for those who don't have much extra money to spend on/before move-in. They can make do for a while then replace with what they want later. 
Pet smell can put a lot of people off though. Really try and sort that, if you've had more than one comment. You probably won't notice yourself as it's just like smoking, you get used to it / treat it as "normal". 

Garden will probably be fine, just make sure it's not gone completely wild and gives an "oh god I'd have to spend x weeks / £y sorting this out" feeling. If so, tidy it up a bit, but don't go crazy with it. 


So again, rectify existing problems, tidy / patch up, then focus on the price. Don't bother about "improvements" or "staging" stuff, silly bath mats etc. The usual issue for me when the price is high and I get there and the reality doesn't match up, is simply "this isn't worth the price", or "I'd have to spend £x to get it to a point where it would be". 

You need to present the house AS IT IS, but AT IT'S BEST, for a FAIR PRICE (reflecting current environment). If there were just minor niggles, you'd have got lots of offers and attempts at negotiation already. If NO offers then it's either a waiting game or you're tens of thousands off what people feel it's "worth" compare to what they "could/should" get for that money elsewhere.

It was fully redecorated before it went on the market so we are out of luck on that front. 

We've had no comments about the pet smell, until this week when one member of staff said he did some viewings many months ago and he remembers there being a pet smell. The previous four/five times I've spoken to the estate agent the pet smell has never been mentioned. 

We've made it clear to the estate agent that we are open to negotiation on the asking price and they have apparently asked people when they've said it's out of their budget, what people's budget is/what they would be willing to offer (this has only been asked when people have said it's a really lovely house which has been the majority of the feedback, albeit with the caveat it needs too much work) people have replied that they don't know their budget or what they'd consider a fair price. 

Bonniepurple

Having found the listing on Rightmove, I’d say:
Tidy the house and garden up.  Leave some diffuser air fresheners around for a week and see if they make a difference.
Get rid of the estate agent spiel.  “Sun kissed sanctuary”, “whimsical yellow haven etc.  I’ve got friends who live in the area.  I’m not sure they’d describe it the same way.  If I was looking to buy I would want to know what the house is like, not the feeling of calm that the colour of the outside walls may provide!
Finally, reduce the price slightly.  New estate agent, new description, lower price going into spring.  Get some pre planted spring bulbs to welcome people and it will sell.

Bailey1980

our_des said:

I'm buying an ex rental, the rooms have been measured up by a carpet fitter to replace whats currently down as soon as we get the keys. Don't waste your money replacing what's already down or adding plants/towels (seems odd IMO in an empty house)

I found your listing from the images and my biggest concern isn't the house, its the outside view on streetview...do the neighbours always have that many grotty caravans outside? Could this be what's putting people off??

Thanks. We've not been in/at the house for a while so the caravans might have been added in the meantime. None of the feedback the estate agent has passed on has mentioned that, but equally it's taken them months and about five or six phonecalls before they have told us about all this additional work that needs doing in order to sell it. 

cymruchris

Bailey1980 said:

our_des said:

I'm buying an ex rental, the rooms have been measured up by a carpet fitter to replace whats currently down as soon as we get the keys. Don't waste your money replacing what's already down or adding plants/towels (seems odd IMO in an empty house)

I found your listing from the images and my biggest concern isn't the house, its the outside view on streetview...do the neighbours always have that many grotty caravans outside? Could this be what's putting people off??

Thanks. We've not been in/at the house for a while so the caravans might have been added in the meantime. None of the feedback the estate agent has passed on has mentioned that, but equally it's taken them months and about five or six phonecalls before they have told us about all this additional work that needs doing in order to sell it. 

The work that needs doing as they haven't been able to sell it as it is... That might be down to the estate agent. Last year when things were booming - you only had to say 'for sale' and it would be 'sold'. Many estate agents aren't experienced in selling properties in tougher times. You might find another agent will do 'more' to sell it (and get their fee) than your existing agents.

Bailey1980

BobT36 said:

Fully disagree with "staging" besides touching / patching up. Sorting radiator etc. is good as makes it look better, and one less job for buyers to do (and they won't wonder what else might be a problem..). 

A dabble of paint is fine to patch up any tatty bits (fill & patch up holes might help present better), but don't go "redecorating" or anything. 

Carpets, although I'd normally say not bothered, if 'a' problem is PET SMELL, then these are likely to be one of the culprits. Replace with cheap ones. Brown, grey or some sort of dark red (if walls are very white). 
This way they're cheap enough that it doesn't feel "wasteful" to replace, but at the same time better than bare floors for those who don't have much extra money to spend on/before move-in. They can make do for a while then replace with what they want later. 
Pet smell can put a lot of people off though. Really try and sort that, if you've had more than one comment. You probably won't notice yourself as it's just like smoking, you get used to it / treat it as "normal". 

Garden will probably be fine, just make sure it's not gone completely wild and gives an "oh god I'd have to spend x weeks / £y sorting this out" feeling. If so, tidy it up a bit, but don't go crazy with it. 


So again, rectify existing problems, tidy / patch up, then focus on the price. Don't bother about "improvements" or "staging" stuff, silly bath mats etc. The usual issue for me when the price is high and I get there and the reality doesn't match up, is simply "this isn't worth the price", or "I'd have to spend £x to get it to a point where it would be". 

You need to present the house AS IT IS, but AT IT'S BEST, for a FAIR PRICE (reflecting current environment). If there were just minor niggles, you'd have got lots of offers and attempts at negotiation already. If NO offers then it's either a waiting game or you're tens of thousands off what people feel it's "worth" compare to what they "could/should" get for that money elsewhere.

We've had no comments about the pet smell, until this week when one member of staff said he did some viewings many months ago and he remembers there being a pet smell. The previous four/five times I've spoken to the estate agent the pet smell has never been mentioned. 

We've made it clear to the estate agent that we are open to negotiation on the asking price and they have apparently asked people when they've said it's out of their budget, what people's budget is/what they would be willing to offer (this has only been asked when people have said it's a really lovely house which has been the majority of the feedback, albeit with the caveat it needs too much work) people have replied that they don't know their budget or what they'd consider a fair price. 

Again though we are getting some other valuations to see if we are way off. 

Bailey1980

Bonniepurple said:

Having found the listing on Rightmove, I’d say:
Tidy the house and garden up.  Leave some diffuser air fresheners around for a week and see if they make a difference.
Get rid of the estate agent spiel.  “Sun kissed sanctuary”, “whimsical yellow haven etc.  I’ve got friends who live in the area.  I’m not sure they’d describe it the same way.  If I was looking to buy I would want to know what the house is like, not the feeling of calm that the colour of the outside walls may provide!
Finally, reduce the price slightly.  New estate agent, new description, lower price going into spring.  Get some pre planted spring bulbs to welcome people and it will sell.

Thank you - all really helpful and definitely taking it on board

RHemmings

cymruchris said:

RHemmings said:

The carpets in the house I'm buying (exchange has already happened) are cream coloured. At least the ones I noticed last time. So, exactly what others don't want. I much prefer carpets to laminate flooring in all rooms other than kitchen/bathroom. I think it's cream coloured carpets throughout the house. Though, I'm not sure as I mentally filed away 'good enough' and didn't remember the actual colour. 

While I'm not fussy, when I see houses with bare floors, I'm mentally taking the price of new carpets off any offer I might make. 

It's better that the 'offer' the OP receives takes into account that it needs new carpets rather than the OP splashing out on carpets that might not be to everyone's taste, and then an offer being such that they make it anyway including replacement carpets as they don't like the colour. As has also been mentioned, that generic grey carpet is falling out of favour as it's everywhere. Bare floors will take away the 'look' of an old carpet, and potentially any pet smell, and any viewer is going to know that their first job will be to get a fresh carpet down in the colour of their choosing. There are many properties with the carpets ripped up that sell easily - so don't think that it's 'more work needed' - if anything it's 'less work needed' as the new buyer can put down a new carpet without having to rip up the old one.

I can only give an example of how I think of things, and I've already pointed out that others may think differently. I'm sure that many people aren't put off by bare floors, but I certainly am. There were certainly many people in various roles in the house buying (for me) experience who kept mentioning the 'need' to redecorate, but I just thought 'can't be bothered'. It may be because I've been a long-term renter and have never redecorated anything. 

Looking at the (now deleted) Rightmove listing for the house I'm buying, the carpets look different from what I remember. A darker greyish brown. I'm sure the stairs at least had cream coloured carpets. In any case, what I saw is good enough for me. When I get into the property, I'll check the actual colour. I think the stair carpet has been changed since the pictures, unless the camera did very odd things to the colour. 

RAS

Bonniepurple said:

Get rid of the estate agent spiel.  “Sun kissed sanctuary”, “whimsical yellow haven etc.  I’ve got friends who live in the area.  I’m not sure they’d describe it the same way.  

Purple prose indeed.

What are the main facilities? Someone posted them up early in the thread. Any good schools, shops, restaurants?

Point out the less obvious, " the newly (painted or what) exterior hides recently installed insulation (add a bit of data). 

Replace the sanctuary with info on whether the patio is best for breakfast, or evening drinks? 

our_des

Bailey1980 said:

our_des said:

I'm buying an ex rental, the rooms have been measured up by a carpet fitter to replace whats currently down as soon as we get the keys. Don't waste your money replacing what's already down or adding plants/towels (seems odd IMO in an empty house)

I found your listing from the images and my biggest concern isn't the house, its the outside view on streetview...do the neighbours always have that many grotty caravans outside? Could this be what's putting people off??

Thanks. We've not been in/at the house for a while so the caravans might have been added in the meantime. None of the feedback the estate agent has passed on has mentioned that, but equally it's taken them months and about five or six phonecalls before they have told us about all this additional work that needs doing in order to sell it. 

Street view dates it as September 2023 (there's a skip on your driveway and a 'charming' teen giving the fingers at the end of the road) so might well be new additions. Not everyone looks a streetview on listings but if I turned up for a viewing with 2 caravans, a motor home, car on the drive with another car and camper blocking next doors gates then I'd worry about parking and if they'd block access to the property.  Although not much can be done about neighbours when viewings are going on. 

List it with new agents if they're not giving you any updates/feedback & hopefully you'd have some better luck. There's 6 other houses listed on the street we're buying on, 4 have dropped dramatically in price since they were listed in summer (one by 85k) and 2 have just been re-listed after being taken off the market - some areas just are not selling.