A Dilemma on Price to Sell House

WellKnownSid

Herzlos said:

Empty it out, give it a clean, tidy up the garden and list it as is. 

Sometimes viewers cannot see past empty rooms (plus furniture hides a multitude of marks on floors and walls - as well as it making room-sizing harder).

Keeping minimal furniture in each room may help so people can see "oh, this is the dining room, and that is the study".

That said, we've also had viewers turn up and look inside the chest of drawers - I don't know how estate agents keep a straight face sometimes!

thegreenone

The EA advised me to do nothing other than empty and clean my late Mum's flat.  It needed everything done except a new boiler!!!  It sold for asking price.

MysteryMe

Sorry for your loss. Just to add to the advice already given,  if you find the prospect have getting the house ready quite daunting or upsetting you can pay for house clearances, just need to check they have waste disposal licence, and also for deep cleans. Will cost you obviously but for me it would be worth not having the anxiety associated with having to do those tasks myself. 

ReadySteadyPop

Use PropertyLog, see what other sellers are advertising for and if they are reducing their asking prices.

BikingBud

WellKnownSid said:

Herzlos said:

Empty it out, give it a clean, tidy up the garden and list it as is. 

Sometimes viewers cannot see past empty rooms (plus furniture hides a multitude of marks on floors and walls - as well as it making room-sizing harder).

Keeping minimal furniture in each room may help so people can see "oh, this is the dining room, and that is the study".

That said, we've also had viewers turn up and look inside the chest of drawers - I don't know how estate agents keep a straight face sometimes!

Whilst I might expect built in cupboards and wardrobes to be opened I would also expect the estate agent to firmly but politely advise the viewer that the house is for sale and there is nothing of interest in the chest of drawers for any prospective buyers.

FreeBear

Clive_Woody said:

FYI - our kitchen didn't have a radiator so when we had it replaced we had underfloor heating (electric) put in and it's great.

Oofff... Not cheap to run at the current price of electricity. But if you don't have a wet heating system, electric UFH is a reasonable option.

Silvertabby

WellKnownSid said:

Herzlos said:

Empty it out, give it a clean, tidy up the garden and list it as is. 

Sometimes viewers cannot see past empty rooms (plus furniture hides a multitude of marks on floors and walls - as well as it making room-sizing harder).

Keeping minimal furniture in each room may help so people can see "oh, this is the dining room, and that is the study".

That said, we've also had viewers turn up and look inside the chest of drawers - I don't know how estate agents keep a straight face sometimes!

We have no intention of moving, but an EA friend had said that if we do want to sell we would have to clear out the upstairs study and hobby room and put beds in there.  Otherwise some viewers would think they are looking at a 2 bed house instead of a 4.

And, yes, she has some cracking tales to tell!

ReadySteadyPop

p00hsticks said:

Are you intending to sell via estate agents ? If so they'll be in the best position to advise on what it could fetch, and also say if there are any things that are worth fixing before you put it on the market. 

Get several in and see what they each say before deciding which one to go with. 

Estate agents tend to value to get your business (high side) and then later come forward with the conversations about "market conditions" etc.

ReadySteadyPop

TroubleWithTribbles said:

I have inherited my father's house. A 1959 built 3 bed semi.  The house is habitable - good heating system with boiler only 2 years old.  The roof doesn't leak and there is no discernible subsidence or cracks.  However, the property hasn't been looked after and has not had anything done to it for 25-30 years, so is very tired looking.  I would expect a prospective buyer would want/need to replace all the glazing, maybe re-wiring, and of course decorating.  While the central heating works well, and the house is warm, there is no radiator in the kitchen and an oil filled heater was used there.  The gardens would need renovating and an old garage demolishing.  Properties in the estate have been selling for between £210K and £260K.  I know the old saying that the house is only worth as much as someone is willing to pay for it, but I'm just wondering what to pitch it at when I do come to sell it, bearing in mind the amount of work that would need to be done by the prospective buyer.

The amount of viewings you get will immediately tell you if the price is right for the market.

ReadySteadyPop

Silvertabby said:

WellKnownSid said:

Herzlos said:

Empty it out, give it a clean, tidy up the garden and list it as is. 

Sometimes viewers cannot see past empty rooms (plus furniture hides a multitude of marks on floors and walls - as well as it making room-sizing harder).

Keeping minimal furniture in each room may help so people can see "oh, this is the dining room, and that is the study".

That said, we've also had viewers turn up and look inside the chest of drawers - I don't know how estate agents keep a straight face sometimes!

We have no intention of moving, but an EA friend had said that if we do want to sell we would have to clear out the upstairs study and hobby room and put beds in there.  Otherwise some viewers would think they are looking at a 2 bed house instead of a 4.

And, yes, she has some cracking tales to tell!

I doubt most viewers are that confused, that sounds like a tiny minority or maybe one person that they encountered?