Why is this house not selling

FlorayG

I think it's because it's the sort of house needs a very specific buyer - a couple with 3  or 4 kids looking for a house they can spend money on, rip everything out and do things how they like. There aren't many people with 4 kids who can afford to or even want to do that sort of work.
My current house was on the market over two years and I saw it and fell in love with it instantly because it is exactly what I want - something I can change everything in to suit me. A lot of the fittings were the same as you have there.  Most people don't want that
Also, when you have viewings, do you get rid of all the clutter and 'stage' the house nicely? Even if you just shove things in boxes and in the garage will help. I had way too much stuff for my previous house and I shoved it into my horse trailer when viewings were coming, it helped a LOT

lookbook

moneysaver12 said:

Thank you for your replies.  When you say decor is dated.  In what way ?  Living room and dining room are duck egg and a cream colour paint,  kitchen is painted cream,  same as stairs and master bedroom.  What would you suggest we do please.  Can’t afford to update the kitchen 

Maybe just change the cabinet doors in kitchen.  Easy Cheap DIY job.

ReadingTim

daveyjp said:

If the price doesn't reflect those costs a further price adjustment may be needed, but better photos may be a cheaper option.

No, it won't.  A "good" price will compensate for a "bad" set of photos, but a good set of photos won't compensate for a bad price.  Drop £100k so it's £190k instead of £290k and you'll be shot of it within a month, regardless of the photos, parking, decor etc

moneysaver12

FlorayG said:

I think it's because it's the sort of house needs a very specific buyer - a couple with 3  or 4 kids looking for a house they can spend money on, rip everything out and do things how they like. There aren't many people with 4 kids who can afford to or even want to do that sort of work.
My current house was on the market over two years and I saw it and fell in love with it instantly because it is exactly what I want - something I can change everything in to suit me. A lot of the fittings were the same as you have there.  Most people don't want that
Also, when you have viewings, do you get rid of all the clutter and 'stage' the house nicely? Even if you just shove things in boxes and in the garage will help. I had way too much stuff for my previous house and I shoved it into my horse trailer when viewings were coming, it helped a LOT

Thank you.  We did at the beginning but not for ages now.  We could put some stuff in the garage 

Tucosalamanca

As others have said, advert and presentation not great.

I'm not familiar with the area but after a quick browse on Rightmove, other properties look more interesting (both above and below your price).

Parking, size of rooms, garden, none of it is attractive/tempting. There isn't much space for on-street parking either, which I see as a major drawback (our road is mostly 4bed detached, nearly all have more than two cars).

Finally, do local secondary schools have a good reputation (not easy to establish through Rightmove)?
If you can't attract families, it's a hard sell.

Other than changing layout to make it a four or three bedroom home, you're limited in how you can alter your market.

Which only leaves price....

elsien

lookbook said:

moneysaver12 said:

Thank you for your replies.  When you say decor is dated.  In what way ?  Living room and dining room are duck egg and a cream colour paint,  kitchen is painted cream,  same as stairs and master bedroom.  What would you suggest we do please.  Can’t afford to update the kitchen 

Maybe just change the cabinet doors in kitchen.  Easy Cheap DIY job.

Not going to address the bedroom size, which is the elephant in the room. Four bedrooms plus office may be worth discussing with the estate agent. It could be that people are not realising how just small they are until they see them in person. And potentially the price. 
Everything else is really just tinkering around the edges. 

MeteredOut

People are turning up expecting to view a 5 bedroom property. They walk in and see small rooms and are immediately disheartened. I doubt there's any way back from that. First impressions do matter (and last).

You need to set realistic expectations so that the people that turn up know what they are they are viewing and are therefore not immediately disappointed when they walk through the door. Get sizes on the floor plan or market as 4 bedrooms and an office and price accordingly.

moneysaver12

Thank you everyone.  Doesn’t help that it’s left to me to make any changes in the house.  I was the one who got laminated flooring put down,  got it painted.  Since photos were taken,  there is a rug and lamp in the living room,  new curtains.  New carpets in two of the bedrooms.  I will suggest to my husband that he speaks to estate agents about marketing it as a four bedroom,  plus office. estate agent came out before we listed,  they made out we would have no problem selling it.  I’ve suggested we look for a different estate agent but husband drags his feet.

Bookworm105

after 2 years it is ridiculous to say that it is not selling because of cluttered rooms. It will have had at least one viewer in that period able to see through such issues 

it is much more likely to be demand & price in that location. You are the only 5 bed property on the market within a 1 mile radius and only 1 of 3 within a 3 mile radius. All 3 are listed at 290k so it appears that is still above the celling price for a 5 bed on the outskirts of Wakefield, although yours is the only detached property so should be at the top of the 5 bed price range, but is it really 5 bed when one is not even 5 1/2 foot wide?

FlorayG

moneysaver12 said:

FlorayG said:

I think it's because it's the sort of house needs a very specific buyer - a couple with 3  or 4 kids looking for a house they can spend money on, rip everything out and do things how they like. There aren't many people with 4 kids who can afford to or even want to do that sort of work.
My current house was on the market over two years and I saw it and fell in love with it instantly because it is exactly what I want - something I can change everything in to suit me. A lot of the fittings were the same as you have there.  Most people don't want that
Also, when you have viewings, do you get rid of all the clutter and 'stage' the house nicely? Even if you just shove things in boxes and in the garage will help. I had way too much stuff for my previous house and I shoved it into my horse trailer when viewings were coming, it helped a LOT

Thank you.  We did at the beginning but not for ages now.  We could put some stuff in the garage 

no no...sorry...not "some stuff" 
You need to put a HUGE amount of stuff away. You need the house to look like one of those brand new, unlived in showhomes. You definitely need better pictures taken once you have cleared out. If you can't put away all the kids' stuff, use ONE room as 'playroom', viewers will understand that being messy. But no kids' stuff anywhere else in the house while viewers are there