Help needed to sell my house!

Chilibean_2

Thanks for the imput so far and I will go ahead and put the suggestions into action. I will have a move round in the living/dining room and see if that makes a difference at all, plus add some plants and shift the second bedroom around. The cereal boxes have now gone from the top of the cupboard, something I did overlook when the photos were being taken! I haven't managed to speak to the EA as yet, he is away till next Monday, but I have left a message for him to call me and we'll see what he can come up with.

Chilibean_2

Oh, and the motorbike isn't a real one, even I wouldn't keep a motorbike in a bedroom, lol!

consumerpower

Hi Chillibean, we just put our market on the house this week. It has just been Christmas so things are slowly picking up on people viewing properties.

I had a look on the below website, and it had some really handy hints, have a good read I got loads of tips and now have a big list of things to pack away tonight! One of my very good friends is an estate agents, and he gave me excellent advice.

www.theadvisory.co.uk

1. your house is now a product, not think of it as your home, think of it as a product that you are selling. As soon as you can detach emotionally from the property your perception will change.

2. If it looks like you live there, something is wrong, the people viewing need to be able to imagine them living there and not you. So remove any personal items!

Good luck, I know it is hard, I keep thinking, why is my phone ringing off the hook with viewings and offers its amazing!

poppy10_2

consumerpower wrote: »

Hi Chillibean, we just put our market on the house this week.

I had a look on the below website, and it had some really handy hints, have a good read
www.theadvisory.co.uk

I keep thinking, why is my phone ringing off the hook with viewings and offers its amazing!

^^^SPAM^^^ :rolleyes:

consumerpower

It wasnt spam, it was just a website I found that had some handy hints about preparing each of your rooms for sale. I just thought I would share it that's all, I was trying to HELP

sundropstar

Some estate agents aren't very pro-active in the selling area. They do great when there is a property boom because people are coming to them, but when it is the other way around, they think there is no-one out there.

We have just had this problem and were tied to an EA for 12 weeks and practically nothing happened. We have just signed up to a new one and have quite a few viewings this week and a couple of offers.

We did drop the proce from £265k to £249k and the old agent said to me 'we could have sold it for that'. But I think, if they could have, they would have.

I mean, they could have thought outside of the box a bit, getting people round who were in a good position to have a look, and perhaps we could have thought about a lower offer at the time, because their offer and their position and your position all play a part in that decision.

Once the agent said 'they liked it but it was a bit too much' and that was the end of his thoughts on the matter. I think a good agent would have discussed they reasons why it was too much and asked the buyer what they would be prepared to offer.

Try to get your agent to have a think about these things, ask them how they are marketing your property and if you don't get anywhere, you may need to change agents at the end of your contract.

Be careful with your HIP pack though, I believe (Not 100%) that it can't be older than 3 months if you are re-marketing, so make sure there are no date-breaks on the selling.

Chilibean_2

Thanks again everyone. I have been on a mission today and have done a massive declutter, and all that remains now is to get some plants for the front and the double bed put in bedroom 2. I can't do that yet as my ex is storing a double at his house till I sell, and as he is in Wales till tomorrow there's no way I can get to it without breaking in. I also want him to move it for me in his van so another good reason for waiting till Saturday.

It'll be interesting to see what EA does say when he gets back, though we did talk about dropping the price 3 weeks after Christmas if nothing was happening. I'm hoping things do start to move, it's just my luck to have to move when the market is slow and to end up stuck here for months to come. I've got to do whatever it takes though, I definately can't stay here, much as I love my house!

RubyShoes

Hi!
Having looked at your RM link, I would definately play on the large garden, and room to extend (conservatory on the back, side extension for extra room downstairs, and bedroom).

As a buyer looking at that kind of price range now, I would be impressed with the garden. HOWEVER (!) the house is just too bland for me.

Kitchen - remove niknaks, replace with nice vase of fresh flowers, and nice kitchen accessories... Kitchen cubboards - why not replace the cubboard doors with something a bit more up to date. Id have a guess that that kitchen is 5-7 years old... in design wise anyway. What about a nice granite effect black worktop? The wall colour is a bit bland for me too... Im not too sure what colour would be better though!

Bedrooms - same thing... nothing makes it really stand out to me. Although the main bedroom looks fine... the walls are just so uninspiring.... and the carpet in the 2nd bedroom combinded with the curtains just doesnt do it for me!

Bathroom - get rid of the curtain, and go for a screen, or a curtain that is a bit more in with current trends, and accessories your bathroom with some accessories in a matching colour. The suite is lovely, but it needs some accessories, eg towels, vase, candles, blind all in blue... or green etc.

Living room - layout doesn't work for me. Living room should be a the front - dining area at the back. Whatever is behind the single chair needs to be moved! It makes the space look tiny!
Again - colour, curtains etc let the room down.

I know I have been quite brutal here, but I think you may need to spend about £1000 to just make cosmetic changes. And then get new pics taken!

In addition - get rid of anything you can out the back. I am always disappointed when I get into a lovely garden, and half the stuff out there is waiting to go to the tip!

Out at the front - perhaps on the empty bit of wall, a hanging basket, or light would look good... something modern and stylish - chrome... And yes, some nice potted plants outside the door would look good. Similar to the type you have in the front garden already! Definately need some greenery in the front though...

This is a property near me, which is a 2 bed - and I think its very well presented - http://www.rightmove.co.uk/viewdetails-17662349.rsp?pa_n=6&tr_t=buy

Another well presented - but this is a 3 bed terrace.
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/viewdetails-18521042.rsp?pa_n=6&tr_t=buy

Hope some of that helps. I know I would hate to hear it about my house. But if you want to sell, and nothing is coming foward - then its got to be worth a try...

carpmaster

Chilibean wrote: »

I will have a move round in the living/dining room, add some plants and shift the cereal boxes from the top of the cupboard.

Yes good idea. Pushing everything around a bit, adding a few £2 pot plants and moving the corn flakes will definitely convince the buyers to pay well above the market price!

pinkshoes

If you bought for £66.5k in November 2006, then you're asking for almost a 100% price increase in just 14 months!! I don't think you can include an ex's divorce settlement in a price unfortunately...

There's lots of 3 bed properties on for the same price as yours or less in the DN22 postcode, so although you have a fabulous garden, perhaps buyers will prioritize indoor space over outdoor space, then a huge garden would just be a bonus?

This would explain why you've had so few viewings, as if I had a £120k budget and searched on rightmove under DN22, then yours would be quite far down the list in the order of houses that I wanted to go and see, and I'd probably find one I liked better before I even got to look round yours!