Mumsnet Talk

We have our house on the market at the moment,coming up for 2 years it has been for sale.

Our 4 year old son is autistic and is obsessed with watches and car keys so when viewers come to look at our house,he tries to get their keys/watches,we tell him he isn't allowed to do this so the viewing normally ends with our son having a huge meltdown and screaming.

Sometimes we don't get a chance to talk much to them at the end either as we are trying to calm him down.

We are clueless as to why our house isn't selling and we are starting to wonder if this has anything to do with it.

It does sound like a silly question really but just wondered what others thought ?

Can't you get your son out of the house for viewings? No offence but would be a huge distraction for people trying to look around. Can't the EAs do them for you?

It wouldn't put me off but maybe people aren't able to focus on looking at your house if your ds is having a meltdown.

Could you not take him out while the viewings are happening.

Let the EA's show people around and you take your son out.

After 2 years haven't the EAs given you an idea of why it isn't selling? They sound a bit crap to me. Have you got a link?

It wouldn't personally put me off, but it is much easier and more relaxing too look at a house when the owners aren't there.

Have you asked the estate agents for specific feedback?

If you think this could be the cause could you go out when there is a viewing or arrange them when your normally out?

What does your estate agent say? There could be lots of reasons. It wouldn't stop me if I wanted your house, but yes I would like to be able to ask the owner questions. Do you both need to deal with ds? (Maybe you do). Can you ever have one of you go out with him, whilst the other does the viewing? Whenever possible I think most people would try to take kids out before viewings. I assume they are not coming round after his bedtime.

Yes, you need to take your son out during viewings.

But there are probably other factors too.

What does your EA say?

Two years is a very long time. Has it been on with the same agent all that time? What kind of feedback have they given you?

of course it would be off putting.
houses are often sold on gut feelings and if their entire experience of viewing your house is stressful and they couldn't wait to get out, then they Will feel negatively whenever they think of the house.

The feedback we keep getting is the house is too small(it is a small house) and the second bedroom is too small( it's a single bedroom)

A lot of the viewings are just before his bedtime so it is too cold to take him out and I don't drive so can't take him out in the car.

Weekend viewings though I could start taking him out for a walk if it is during the day.

I'm not saying every viewing has been like this, sometimes he can be fine,it's about half and half.

It wouldn't put me off buying a house but it's definately not an ideal atmosphere when you have viewers. I think it's important for viewers to feel like your home is a place that they can see themselves being happy and feeling relaxed. Could you be more specific about when you will accept viewings so that you can make other arrangements for your DS?

We were told to arrange to be out during our viewings as the owner beinghome can bf offputting.

You absolutely need to be out of the house. However, after 2 years you also need to reduce your price to the next bracket - ie by around £25K.

I meant to add - if your house is priced correctly people will go for it no matter what.

But do get out of the house and let the EA show prospective buyers around so they can concentrate on what's on offer!

I would find it off puting for you to be in your house far less your son having a melt down. I'm not trying to be unkind but when viewing a house you try to picture yourself living there which is far more difficult when the actual owners are there.

I would be distracted by the owners being there. I'd merrily hand my keys over (though might have to wrestle them off my DS) if you said I'd get them back so I don't think it's that. I hate having owners show me round though. I don't feel that I can have a proper look round and discuss points with DH as we both become terribly British and daren't say anything negative.

Perhaps speak to agents and ask about viewings either during the day or on weekends?

We have reduced the price a couple of times and it has still made no difference.

I'm not sure if it because we are in Scotland but you don't normally get estate agents showing you around unless the house is vacant( I know because we have viewed other properties for ourselves)

I think we will just try and take our son out when we have a viewing and it will be a more relaxed atmosphere

I think we will just try and take our son out when we have a viewing and it will be a more relaxed atmosphere

Yes - if you've already dropped the price and the EA feels the property is priced to sell as opposed to being priced at the amount you would like to get for it, then this is the next step.

De-clutter, tart it up and make sure your son is taken out whenever there's a viewing.

Why not make arrangements to take your son out every Saturday afternoon, for example - and tell your EA that's when you want to do viewings from now on.

I'm in Scotland and the solicitor would show our property if we were at work, I remember. So maybe you could ask them?
I always preferred hearing from the owners though, personally.