Selling House with Damaged Conservatory

jogi81

Advice, please, from those who have had a similar experience.

Our house has been on the market for about two weeks. The conservatory is separating from the house and has cracked walls, flooring, etc.

We’ve had two viewings so far, and the agent has relayed feedback from potential buyers, expressing concern about the conservatory. The agents don’t seem to mention the damage to viewers, likely to get them in the door.

Although the asking price reflects the damage, we’re concerned and feel we need a Plan B, such as demolishing the conservatory and installing decking or considering remedial work. However, we’re unsure how feasible that would be given that the conservatory is over 25 years old and likely built on foundations made of feathers and hay 

Our intention was to give the new buyers the option to keep the conservatory or build an extension, but it seems they may be put off by the initial impression, which is understandable.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Archerychick

I wouldn’t rush into anything but it would be a good idea to have a professional look at it and advise on likely remedial work costs.  Also to get costs for demolition and making good of the ground and also consider what this does to your likely sale price.

Some buyers don’t want to have to do substantial work to a property so any level of discount won’t appear to these type of buyers.

Albermarle

An old conservatory with problems like that, will need demolishing. 

You will have to take that into account when thinking about the selling price of the house.

RHemmings

Archerychick said:

I wouldn’t rush into anything but it would be a good idea to have a professional look at it and advise on likely remedial work costs.  Also to get costs for demolition and making good of the ground and also consider what this does to your likely sale price.

Some buyers don’t want to have to do substantial work to a property so any level of discount won’t appear to these type of buyers.

That type of buyers probably includes me. 

A conservatory that needs demolishing would put me off big time. There was a house I viewed that had an extension that looked terribly built and I believe it probably needs demolishing and being built again. With the other problems the property has, I wouldn't have wanted the property if they had offered to give it to me. 

Jemma01

If the price reflects the work needed, why not do the work and remove the conservatory and sell the house at the appropriate price?

I don't have the skill to rebuild a conservatory and it would be an additional cost, so having it gone is better for me

Stubod

...just get it demolished, and if necessary replace the base with some decking....

Dustyevsky

jogi81 said:

Although the asking price reflects the damage, we’re concerned and feel we need a Plan B, such as demolishing the conservatory and installing decking or considering remedial work. However, we’re unsure how feasible that would be given that the conservatory is over 25 years old and likely built on foundations made of feathers and hay 

Our intention was to give the new buyers the option to keep the conservatory or build an extension, but it seems they may be put off by the initial impression, which is understandable.

The existence of a conservatory doesn't give any benefit to those who might wish to extend, nor does a 25 year old one built on failing foundations, add value.

Either market honestly with a statement on how much the price is reduced to allow for demolition, disposal and making good, or do the work and market again.

Some people, me included, will overlook stuff like this if a house has a real USP, but most properties don't. It just becomes an added expense I'd be angry about if I spotted it on a first viewing.

MobileSaver

jogi81 said:

Our intention was to give the new buyers the option to keep the conservatory or build an extension, but it seems they may be put off by the initial impression, which is understandable.

It's human nature for buyers to look for objections as to why they shouldn't buy something so I'd echo the overwhelming feedback here; demolish the conservatory. 

Get rid of it, optionally put something nicer there instead such as decking and then that's one less reason why someone will decide not to buy your property.

youth_leader

When you purchased, did you have access to the original planning permission/plans for the conservatory? Could it be rebuilt as a solid brick extension? 

When I moved into this bungalow next door had a glass conservatory.   I heard 'on the grapevine' they were changing it to a single storey brick extension using the 'footprint' of the conservatory.  I was worried about party walls and had a look at their planning on line, luckily the party wall wasn't involved.

BungalowBel

We looked at a bungalow with a really badly built and ugly extension.  It was priced accordingly.

Once we had seen said extension, there is no way we would have considered it, because our thinking was that if someone could not put that right, or have it built properly in the first place, would not have maintained the rest of the house either.

I'm sorry if that is not true in the OP's case, but that will be the thoughts of many prospective buyers.

Take the conservatory down and put decking or a patio there instead.

BonaDea

Go for flagstones.  When I see decking, I think rats.