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Property/DIY

Please critique my house - be blunt & honest

89 replies

UnexpectedUrgeToMove · 22/08/2013 12:13

So ... we were very happy in current house and was intending to stay in it for foreseeable. Then stumbled across a fantastic, ticks-all-boxes project house in another area. End result, we have rushed our house onto the market without much time for prep. The new carpets I'd ordered before all this happened aren't even installed yet (but will be done tomorrow).

So ... our house is on the market but it's been decorated to please us, not to sell. I'm concerned that the lack of prep and our "out there" colour choices are going to put people off. Plus we didn't have time to get a straight-talking friend in prior to the photos being done, and the pics were done in such a rush that in one of them is a stray filing cabinet which looks bonkers (am cringing just thinking about that).

I'm going to ask the agents to re-do that pic at least but please tell me, what else should we do to improve things before the first viewings?

Would really appreciate some feedback!

www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/30162018?search_identifier=14d6eb12dc2dbc56fef5cc4a13048900

OP posts:
Chubfuddler · 22/08/2013 12:16

Your house really isn't out there. It's actually quite neutral.

I presume the blue bedroom is a spare as it looks rather empty, a vase of flowers and a cushion or two would make it look more loved but really I don't see anything wrong with it.

RunDougalRunQuiteFast · 22/08/2013 12:18

Beautiful house! I am impressed with tidiness, if you didn't have much time to prepare. I think it's fine, lots of space, lovely garden, good room sizes.

MrsHowardRoark · 22/08/2013 12:19

I feel like I'm missing something here.

Your house looks absolutely fine. So, the second bedroom looks quite old fashioned and empty but not hideous.

I might be tempted to tidy up the front garden a bit so it looks a bit clearer but that's it.

Rummikub · 22/08/2013 12:19

Think it's lovely. Wish I could afford it Envy

AmberLeaf · 22/08/2013 12:19

I think its lovely and I can't see the filing cabinet?

It looks neat and uncluttered which IMO helps 'visualise' as its not over run with other peoples 'stuff'

ImStickingWithYou · 22/08/2013 12:20

I was coming on to say the same thing. The house looks lovely but the 'spare' bedroom looks too empty. Apart from that if this house fitted my criteria (location, number of bedrooms, etc) I would definitely consider it.

TheWookiesWife · 22/08/2013 12:20

Gets the thumbs up from me ! Looks fab !! Well done you ! I hope it all turns out well for you ! :-)

sooperdooper · 22/08/2013 12:21

I don't think it's 'out there' either, it looks really tidy and spacious, and even if the colours aren't exactly to someone's taste it looks like it'd be simple to repaint :)

Chubfuddler · 22/08/2013 12:21

Are you linking to the right house op? I agree with mrshoward.

insancerre · 22/08/2013 12:21

your house looks lovely from the outside and the garden is fab
I love your kitchen and conservatory
I don't dislike your choice of paint on the walls but if I wanted to change it at least it is paint and I could just repaint it and not have to scape wallpaper.
No pics of the bathroom, makes me think it might need redoing

numptysmummy · 22/08/2013 12:23

Looks bright, clean and ready to live in to me. Nothing offensive - i also would be inclined to dress the blue room a little more so it seems like a room people use ( and therefore a room buyers would want to use). Good luck!

fuckwittery · 22/08/2013 12:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Morgause · 22/08/2013 12:25

I'd need to see the bathroom - so far so good, though.

LEMisdisappointed · 22/08/2013 12:28

But OP, where is all your stuff???? Grin

Its a lovely house, i should love to be able to afford that, although it would be around 300k around here we still coudlnt afford it :)

My advice - go down to B&Q buy some white paint and paint the whole house white. My DP is a builder/carpenter and every single house he has worked in lately they are having everything painted white. Then stick some pictures on the wall. White is very fashionable but also allows people to visualise their own colour stamp.

If i am very honest i would say that i would actually like to see more "things" in the house, not clutter but evidence of family life - A blank canvas is brilliant but its nice to get a nice "feel" from a house.

oh and Envy can we see the new house please?

WhatEverZen · 22/08/2013 12:28

Looks really lovely to me, very tidy and well maintained although there's no pic of the bathroom? Good luck with the sale

LEMisdisappointed · 22/08/2013 12:30

oh and i LOVE the kitchen, perfect - but more stuff please :)

UnexpectedUrgeToMove · 22/08/2013 12:31

Oh gosh thanks for feedback, yes that is the link to the right house, I was fussing a bit as the sitting room is painted F&B Brassica which is quite a stong colour, and one of our friends said gently that we'd chosen 'quite crazy colours' and even the r/e agent said very dark furniture could put people off, so I am conscious that it's not magnolia.

Insancerre - Bathroom was redone in March, at much expense (!), but the agents wouldn't show more than 7 pics though I asked them to do more, there are lovely views over parkland and they wouldn't show that either. I did push it but they said the pics were just a preview, and people needed to come and see it. I might try getting them to come back and do some more photos.

I guess if someone really wants it but hates painting we could offer to paint it white between exchange and completion? Or would people rather do their own? I love projects but I know lots of people just want to move in and live and not wave paintbrushes around.

Realised no window treatments makes guest room look bleak, I might put some nice plainish-but-luxo fabric curtains up - soft gold or something perhaps?

Really grateful for advice/suggestions.

OP posts:
timidviper · 22/08/2013 12:32

I like it but wondered if there are any window coverings in the bedrooms; blinds or curtains? The bedrooms looked a bit bare

kitsmummy · 22/08/2013 12:32

Your house looks fine- clean, tidy and up together. The decor looks easily changeable if not to everyone's taste.

I don't think there are many photos though, I would like to see more rooms and a better garden picture-the details say the garden wraps around but this isn't obvious from the photos.

I like the pic of the front of the house, it's not quite as "manicured" as the rest of the house.

Chubfuddler · 22/08/2013 12:33

I would put up some ready made plain roman blinds from b & q (assuming the windows are fairly standard sizes).

Leopoldina · 22/08/2013 12:34

it looks very well looked after and maintained which is a huge factor for me. Why won't the agent put up more than 7 pix?
and no sense whatsoever painting for people once they've already committed to buy your house!
you could make it look a little more modern in the spare room with different bed linen / pillows which might freshen that room up a bit.

sweetheart · 22/08/2013 12:35

I think you're house is lovely but I do agree that the rooms look very sparse. I think I'd put curtains up at the windows in the bedrooms to make it look more homely.

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specialsubject · 22/08/2013 12:37

leave it just as it is with possibly a couple of pictures to be added. My only thought from the pictures is 'where do I keep my clothes' but maybe the wardrobes are out of shot.

don't make work by slapping up loads of white. Everyone wants to paint when they buy a new house.

location sounds lovely and it is a good price for the area.

WafflyVersatile · 22/08/2013 12:38

More photos needed I think. Nothing there that would put me off.

sparklingstars · 22/08/2013 12:41

It looks lovely.
From the pictures:
In picture 5 it's not possible to tell if there is any storage space/space for wardrobes. I assume the chimney breast is in that room,is there more space next to it?
In picture 6 it looks a bit dated but I wouldn't let that put me off.
Why isn't there a picture of the 3rd bedroom? I'd rather see one otherwise I'd tend to wonder what was wrong with it.
Also, a picture of the dining room and entrance into the conservatory would be useful.
Good luck with the open day, I'd come and have a look if I was buying in your area.

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