No entrance hall - would this put you off?

Jack_Frost_2

Hi all

My house has been on the market since July last year. It is a 5 year old 3 bedroom mid terraced townhouse. I have had around 16 viewers most of which still had houses to sell. The most common objection I have had from feedback is the fact that the front door opens straight into the living room. However once past that you get a fantastic kitchen diner and 3 good sized bedrooms. When I bought the property it didnt really bother me as the rest of it was so good, but do you think for the majority it is a put off?

dmg24

It is something that I really dislike, as is having the stairs going straight into the lounge. But everyone is different ...

Do you have a back door that you could use as the main door?

Debt_Free_Chick

Makes you wonder why - having seen the details - they still go ahead and view!!!!! :mad: :mad:

If that is their main objection, then why bother with a viewing?

Are the sale particulars clear about this? Is there a floor plan?

poet123

It would put me off too,but as has been said if it is clear in the particulars then why view.? Have you thought of creating a porch either externally or by stealing a bit from the main room? may not cost too much and you could recoup the cost from the sale.

Millionaire

Yep, Me too. I really do not like front doors opening directly into a living room.

stumpjumper

Most terraced houses in their original layout are like this. The lady that renovated our terraced house added an entrance hallway using new partiton walls and it does make the living room more cosy. It all depends on the size of your living room if this is viable though.

Ellidee

Is there any way you could make it more 'private' so that anyone calling at the door can't see all of the room ? Some sort of screen or even a short wall of glass bricks ?

Debt_Free_Chick

Makes no difference to me. I'm working class and always come and go via the tradesman's entrance :rotfl:

To be honest, I'm not sure what the objection is. But I think it's just "one of those things". For me .... I don't like bungalows ... or anything with bedrooms or the bathroom on the GF. Or properties with no front garden, no matter how small ... you know, the ones where the front door opens straight onto the pavement or onto the road!

I can't rationalise why ..... and my preferences are completely irrational ... but .....

Your agent needs to select suitable buyers and not waste time by suggesting a viewing to those who do not want the front door opening onto the sitting room. If they don't want that, then no fantastic kitchen is going to compensate for it. They will be in "no buy" mode before they even see the kitchen.

Kick your agent in to touch!!!!

jillie1974

my house is like this.
but others on the same block all have a small entrance hall. we could have the same with partition wall etc but now we're in (well 4 years) dont want to change it. luckly we never get a lot of callers so once we're in on a cold nite the door is never open again.
this will prob what puts peolple off. especially if theyhave kids going in and out all the time

ic

My house is 1900s end terrace. The living room has a small entrance vestibule that is perhaps 3.5 ft sq. This means you pass through a second door before getting into the living room - the door and the wall of the vestibule are obscured glass, which works well. Both it and the room remain light, but it means I can open the front door without having to let all the cold air in. Personally I was put off by houses without the minimum of this.

dolce_vita

Personally, I would be put off by this layout.

I don't like houses where the front door opens straight into the living room and I would guess that many people feel the same.