How to market best?

TroubledTarts

Smalltownhypocrite said:

JuzaMum said:

Smalltownhypocrite - I know just what you mean, we keep looking at 4 bed properties which aren't. However, if we do call the downstairs room a bedroom, we still have office, family room and kitchen/lounge/diner, and there is a shower room downstairs too. We also have a hardwired smoke and CO alarm system, so no need for the house to burn down!
Ablemarle - just had the front garden sorted and I have the paint for the walls. Just need some half decent weather and energy! 
Troubled tarts - I've had two agents in, one said leave the room as it is and the other said make it a lounge!

Most people have smoke alarms, they do not stop fire.

There is a thread on mumsnet right now where someone is attempting to selling a '3' bed but having no interest. Every comment has been that its a 2 bed with a downstairs reception room listed as a bedroom so its a no go in most peoples eyes. It having an en-suite to the downstairs room it has not swayed anyone's opinion.

Downstairs rooms are only really useful to those with serious mobility issues and thats a small market that requires a lot of other adaptions too.

Incorrect.

Disable children or adults that need a downstairs room yes is one use.

Elderly couple or individual that can make the stairs now but not forever

Families with an older child well into adulthood that when our of about late you want them to get into the house and into the ground floor bedroom quietly as possible to not wake up younger children

Multi generational homes with grandparents needing a downstairs bedroom

The flexibility of this as an option for the ground floor also makes a house a potential lifetime house rather than needing to look at a bungalow in later life.

You are far too short sighted and just commenting with your own needs in mind imo

Just because it doesn't suit you does not mean it does not suit many others.

horsewithnoname

Agree, there are many times when a downstairs bedroom- especially with an en suite- is very useful. Ever had an operation that makes using stairs difficult for a while? If if have guests it’s nice to have them on a different floor, plus the examples TroubledTarts gives.

 Wait till you get older, a downstairs bedroom and bathroom are brilliant. 😁

Myci85

When I was looking I saw some listed as 3 beds, but description then listed 4th bedroom/study. Not sure if it would have come up if filtering for 4+ bedrooms, but it sounds like you have a lot more rooms than a bog standard 3 bedroom, so good to make that clear high up in the ad. Many families do want a house with flexible living space. The downstairs room could be a playroom for younger kids now, and later when they're teenagers they might like having their own bedroom downstairs - that's what we did in our last house. Plus lots more people working from home these days so the possibility of 2 offices may also appeal. 

Herzlos

There's not really any way to search for an office, so most people will presumably look for an extra bedroom.

If you could reasonably use one of the other rooms as a bedroom (it'll take a bed and isn't used as access for something else) then there's no harm listing it at a 4 bed.

I don't think many people strictly need or expect all of the bedrooms to be on the same floor - above a certain size it becomes impractical too. Some people may be happy with a downstairs bedroom, some people won't care, and the ones that need all 4 beds wouldn't look if it listed it as a 3 bed either.

david29dpo

Fiddle with the layout as much as you like, the viewers will decide if its viable.

pinkshoes

I'd list it as a 4 bed. As you have a shower room downstairs then it's perfectly feasible to have a bedroom down there.

No different to town houses who have rooms on different floors.

My parents bought their house based on the fact that they could live just downstairs if their physical needs changed.

Your HUGE selling point will be the two parking spaces!

JuzaMum

Thank you for all the comments. I think 4 bed is the way to go. I do understand how annoying it is to look at a 4 bed listing, then find out it is a 3, but we are not losing a dining room or lounge to have the fourth bedroom. 

Sapindus

I would go with a "4 bed" listing. It will suit some people not others, they can just click onwards. You've made it clear what's what on the floor plan, it's not like people will be coming and viewing and then find out and get narked with you.

I've been annoyed recently by houses listed as bungalows that aren't... but I wasn't stupid enough to go and view them.

donutandbeer

We’re in SE London and anything that can fit a single bed will be listed as a bedroom… Personally I consider a room a bedroom if it can fit a double bed.

ReadySteadyPop

donutandbeer said:

We’re in SE London and anything that can fit a single bed will be listed as a bedroom… Personally I consider a room a bedroom if it can fit a double bed.

Buyers won`t always agree though;

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/property/5292129-south-london-house-prices-stagnatingslowing

We can get caught in a "staging loop" thinking that presentation sells a house, but when people view they see the reality and offer (or walk away) accordingly.