Please give your opinions on why we have not had any viewings on our flat? Listing included

I dont know the area so I can't comment on the price exactly but seems expensive for a flat. I personally don't like the bedroom photos you need teo curtains not one. Too much grey no colour in the bedrooms or bedside lamps, you need nice thick throws or additional pillow stacking making it look more "grand" even tones of beige and black and browns with more mustard coming through. Walls are white and bland id add more art work onto them also the curtains if hung nicely would hide the view of the flats opposite. Theres what looks like a picture stuffed behind a plastic set of drawers again screams the room is small theres no room to even put the picture id remove those from the photo maybe put an artifical plant or just leave it bare there. I dont think he balcony photos are too bad but maybe suggest the photos facing inwards to the apartment so u can see the balcony rather than out onto the street. balcony could have some lanterns or plants to make it more homely.

I think it's got good things going for it but some issues:

1. the bedrooms look incredibly small and pokey. Is there anywhere to put the beds other than blocking the windows?

2. the view from the balcony isn't great

3. the open plan sitting room is actually nice and a decent layout but the photos make it look a bit long and dark.

Things I would do to entice people to book viewings:

1. move the beds to a different position if possible. If that can't be done, can you temporarily dismantle one of the beds and set up a daybed or something for new photos to be taken?

2. make the balcony look a bit more welcoming with some greenery (pot plants or a screen) and an outdoor rug to make it more about the space and less about the view

3. try zoning the living area more (i.e. use rugs / artwork / paint or similar to differentiate the seating area from the kitchen area) and take photos which emphasise each area on its own rather than the room as a whole

With all new build there’s a 10% premium included because it new. No one really noticed this in a rising market for resale value but in a flat market it’s very clear! If you bought in the last 5 years you’re probably looking at knocking 10% off what you paid for it. Whilst it’s a great commuter location not many people need to go in the office everyday so that’s less of a selling point. People want more sense of place and soft landscaping from where they live as they spend much more time there with the WFH culture.

agree, the estate agent's description is rubbish

also I've read your comments and appreciate that usually there is a lot of light and it's not a car park but the fact in those photos it a) looks quite dark and b) that the only view is over a car park then the description touts it as being "luxury" and "flooded with natural light" just sounds like the estate agent doesn't give a fuck and is just chucking random words at it rather than making any effort to sell your specific property.

There are lots of nice things you could say about it - the decor is great, it looks modern, etc. and agree photos on a sunny day when it is flooded with light might make a lot of difference. Get them to emphasise those, plus the convenience, the services you get, etc. If it's really quiet, in a nice area, near a park or shared outdoor space, or has good soundproofing add that because they aren't things people necessarily expect from a flat so could be a selling point, etc.

At present there are a lot of properties in the market due to landlords selling up ahead of the RRB. The market is a tad flooded

Added to that, there are rumours of a second drop in BoE rates in 2025, so buyers are holding out for that to happen to secure better mortgage deals

Stamp Duty has risen making previous deposits now at shortfall so buyers need to save more.

Period properties are selling better than new builds due to a lot being Share of Freehold, but also service charges are generally lower

Since Covid, people are still hungry for outdoor space.

Your flat is nice but a combination of the above is the reason for no viewings. The estate agent would be best placed to advise regarding price. A lot of properties I am seeing have reduced prices but still not selling.

The market is the worst since 2009, so please don't take it personally

I think its the price. You can get new build 3 bedroom houses - quite near to you for that price.

For me, I definitely wouldn’t want a balcony overlooking a car park and that overlooked, also looking into the centre of the development is a bit claustrophobic. But mostly I need to see a bit of greenery. It’s devoid of any trees, plants or nature. Even the bedrooms have their windows behind the beds so you can’t look out at something other than the car park. Not sure on price as I don’t know the area. Onsite gym will only appeal to those interested, so if the service charge is high because of the gym, that may put some people off. However it is nicely decorated and done. Hope you get some good luck soon.

I would actually be complaining to whoever administers the service charge, because that large central area below your balcony is basically a car park. What is it meant to be? If it’s not a car park, then shouldn’t there be some grass and shrubs? What does your service charge actually give you? They’re not preventing people from parking there, and there’s nothing else there. Apart from the gym, what do you get for your £200 per month?

Too expensive. I am familiar with the area and know it’s very rough by the station; drug addicts, stabbings. If I’m dropping that kind of money on a flat, I’d be buying in Beaulieu which has a new station coming and isn’t nearly as rough.

Do you have granular knowledge of local property prices? Otherwise, better not to comment.

I live in an area in the SE where prices are much higher than this, lots of job creation, quick commute to London, and any properties generally move like hot cakes. And nothing is moving, not at all, in any price range, properties even in the most desirable areas are staying on the market for months and regularly dropping by big percentages…and still not moving.

£325k+ for a 2-bed FTB flat is top of bubble prices. Believing that there are loads of FTBs out there who have the deposit and credit for £300k+ flats is deluded, tbh. It sounds like you are biased by being a landlord and having skin in the game; but the market is very different now to even six or nine months ago. OP might end up being very lucky and catching an elusive FTB (or a pair), but the banks have all tightened credit on FTB mortgages recently and anyone who can afford to buy at these levels will be looking for the best value and for staying put long term.

Can you sell the flat and parking space separately? Walking distance from a station… those who don’t need parking spaces may appreciate the price drop

Decor is nice, and neutral enough. It's the balcony for me, could you take pics at new angles? Honestly isn't well photographed.

From similar set ups in my city I didn’t even think it was a car park in the middle at all - looked back and saw cars after.
I think anyway you could do better photos all round - maybe erase the cars then too. I had amazing photos on my late parents’ house - they adjusted light settings on photos as it was a dull day but would have come back on a sunnier day if it hadn’t worked well enough. I think you could get a better feeling of space in them myself if done right.
Offers over are a worry to me as I don’t know if they mean £10 or £50k - and could I afford to bid up. However, it didn’t put me off place I bought recently as I really wanted it - though a good price and luckily ‘over’ didn’t in the end mean much at all - but I’d still debate it if just generally looking.
It’s really not been on long but I think only if a place is particularly attractive then folk start calling as soon as it appears. Maybe discuss with your EA.
Good luck.

It’s the estate having been centred round a giant car park, op.
It couldn’t actually be any less luxurious.
The no place to eat and windowless bathrooms are the icing on the cake; but as there’s nothing you can do about any of that, you’ll have to compromise on price.
It’s not worth what you think it’s worth.

For me the main issue is the service charge - just under £200 a month and it could go up. Other than that it's a lovely flat. You could maybe put some tall plants on the balcony for privacy and it would look more inviting. Good luck!

For me it looks quite dark which is probably because of the lack of windows in the bathrooms so I disagree with the description "flooded with natural light." The balcony view isn't for me as it just looks out to other flats and no green spaces. The service charge is pretty high. I can't comment on the price as I live in central Scotland and you can get a 5 bed house with a garden, driveway and garage for that so that price makes me go "ouch" lol. I would fill along the railings of the balcony with plants and I would (if possible) move furniture away from in front of the windows. I would also put away the drawers underneath the bedroom TV and put away things sitting on the bedside tables etc that makes it look more personal to you so that the buyer doesn't feel like they can't see it as their flat if that makes sense?

Not London at all. It's Essex. County town

NRTT ( just Ops replies).

I think it looks lovely inside. However all the rooms show other buildings looking directly in! There must be a better angle or put waffty cotton voiles in the bedroom at least, to divert from this fact.

Definitely make the balcony look more stylish. Do not chuck loads of pots out though. Seating needs to be more generous, soft cushions and throws, big candles or lantern.

@househelp2025 OP, you are selling a flat at £325,000. The owners will be subject to extortionate management fees over which they have no control, on top of the mortgage. Most people simply can't afford this property.

I know this area. It is a travesty that those blocks were built the way they have been. Looking out over a massive car park is bloody awful and would put me off immediately. Even in London, I've seen blocks of flats built around a communal green space.

Agree with all of this, unfortunately.
And then the blurb launches straight into a spiel about stepping into luxury living 😬
It’s deluded.

It can be hard to judge if you live outside the area. I live in a relatively pricey location but £325,000 for a flat would be expensive! However, as you've said; it's in line with pricing in the area.

With regards to the actual flat and what would put me off. Personally I wouldn't want open plan (kitchen and living room joint). The bedrooms are quite small. I don't like there's no window in the kitchen area, I like fresh air when I'm cooking. Also the view outside isn't that appealing. HOWEVER this just isn't the sort of property I'd be interested in. I can imagine it would be perfect for many people, especially being so close to London.