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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to wonder why our fairly priced new-build house is not selling?

534 replies

Housesellinghelp · 07/04/2026 07:43

We have a 5 year old ‘new build’ is a very mumsnet ‘naice’ area in the catchment area for some of the best state schools in the UK. A big 4 bed with four bathrooms, decorated very neutral and fairly high end - it’s definitely a nicer than usual new build. Garden isn’t overlooked, triple driveway, neighbours are staggered so not cramped. Three large doubles and a single bedroom (that could get in a double at a push).

We had our house valued by 3 separate agents. All valued the house between £675-£700k. We listed at £675 as we’d like a fairly fast sale. That was 8 weeks ago. 4 weeks ago we reduced to £649k as we’d had 8 viewings and no offers, and we’ve since had a further 2 viewings but that’s it.

I’ve looked at houses for sale in the area and also houses that have recently sold. We aren’t priced above what seems average. We had our house for sale a couple of years ago very briefly and received an offer for £690k but we changed our minds and pulled out of the sale.

The estate agents have no feedback for us either. They say nobody looks around and criticises anything. The only after viewing feedback we’ve had is that a couple of viewers wanted something a bit bigger/a 5 bed.

Any ideas as to why the house isn’t selling?!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
YellowDogg · 07/04/2026 07:56

What did you buy it for? And were you the very first owners?

Overthebow · 07/04/2026 07:56

How much did you buy it dor? If it’s 5 years old then you must have bought in 2021 when house prices were at a peak. Interest rates are higher now so people can afford less. Added to that your house is no longer a new build so has lost its new build premium. Therefore you’d probably need to sell it for less than you paid.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 07/04/2026 07:56

Personally I think 4 bathrooms in a 4 bed are too many, even if one is a downstairs loo.
One good sized ensuite and a family bathroom are enough - though I know builders do like to squeeze them in. Extra cupboard space would often be more useful.

I know others will disagree.

likelysuspect · 07/04/2026 07:55

MightyFlow · 07/04/2026 07:51

Are you brave enough to post a link, you'll get loads of feedback that way.

Yes, some of it along the lines of "Your duvet is crumpled" and "There's a lot of clutter" if there are 3 items on a shelf.

Yes its utterly bullshit feedback, people just ask for links to be nosey, not helpful

OP its always the price, if you bought brand new, you paid well over the odds so your price either needs to come down or I would just make do for now and move in a few years instead

Also a PP says buyers might think you're flakey, I disagree, who is going to 'get wind' of a change of plan and even if they did thats house buying for you.

ReadingCrimeFiction · 07/04/2026 07:55

Property prices are dropping in real terms. People.cant afford to move right now. There are definitely fewer opportunities to sell.

Original poster
Housesellinghelp · 07/04/2026 07:55

SpiceGirlsNeedAComeBack · 07/04/2026 07:51

with new builds, people tend to buy the new builds just built. A lot of people don’t want to buy currently either and there is a lot of houses that were rented flooding the market.

We aren’t a big new build estate where people would have much choice. There’s about 100 houses here built on greenbelt with no other local developments (unless you went into a less affluent area about 15 miles away).

OP posts:
WhosGotTheKeysToMyBimma · 07/04/2026 07:54

It's generally a bad time to sell. This year hasn't been great anyway but it's taken a real dive with Iran etc

It might not be the price at all, but the uncertainty. People are really wary of committing to a big mortgage at a high rate, lots of products are being withdrawn.

PeonyPatch · 07/04/2026 07:54

landlordhell · 07/04/2026 07:52

This. Houses are on the market for ages where I live.

Show quote history

Same here. House on our road is very well priced and hasn’t shifted in months even after a reduction in price.😕

NotMeNoNo · 07/04/2026 07:54

The pool of people in the market for such a large house is just very small and still shrinking. Interest rates are still unpredictable and cost of living is squeezing affordability. You need someone willing to pay a premium for all that space. People might be looking at it and deciding to go for an older property instead.
How big is it in sq. metres?

Cnidarian · 07/04/2026 07:54

War on innit

Badbadbunny · 07/04/2026 07:53

How does your asking price compare to how much you paid for it? Prices have stagnated in the last few years especially at higher end.

SalmonOnFinnCrisp · 07/04/2026 07:53

What did you pay?

Rightly or wrongly in this (terrible) market it makes a difference.

Equally its only april so market may pick up.

landlordhell · 07/04/2026 07:52

PeonyPatch · 07/04/2026 07:45

Possibly due to the economy right now? Mortgage rates are up due to the war.

This. Houses are on the market for ages where I live.

ViaRia01 · 07/04/2026 07:52

This sounds exactly like the house I’m currently searching for. We need a London mainline station within 1mile/ walking distance. Do you have that?

Aluna · 07/04/2026 07:51

It’s not the price OP it’s the market. It really is not a good time to sell unless you have no choice.

Also it’s not uncommon to put a house on a couple of times before finally selling. That can happen if people aren’t sure about moving, or they’re trying to get a property in a specific area/road etc but failed.

MightyFlow · 07/04/2026 07:51

Are you brave enough to post a link, you'll get loads of feedback that way.

Yes, some of it along the lines of "Your duvet is crumpled" and "There's a lot of clutter" if there are 3 items on a shelf.

OneTimeThingToday · 07/04/2026 07:51

How does it compare in price to New new builds in the area?

SpiceGirlsNeedAComeBack · 07/04/2026 07:51

with new builds, people tend to buy the new builds just built. A lot of people don’t want to buy currently either and there is a lot of houses that were rented flooding the market.

Original poster
Housesellinghelp · 07/04/2026 07:50

clary · 07/04/2026 07:47

The market is poor at the moment with a lot of people feeling very cautious given the world situation and rising mortgage rates. I think people are wary of committing to a big purchase.

If you are getting viewings that suggests it is not specifically the listing (tho I am not sure if eight in four weeks is a lot). Tbf it is usually the price. Have houses like yours sold at the price you are asking in the last couple of months? If you are on an estate there must be similar houses to compare?

Why are you moving? I mean if it's for work or to be close to family then no worries, but is there a big annoying factor that viewers are spotting?

ETA x posted with lots; I see @Housesellinghelp you talk about upsizing. Is that what you are doing? Upsizing from a big four-bed?

Edited

A house slightly bigger than ours sold for £750k a year ago. About 300sq ft bigger as there is an additional small office and a dressing room on the master. Smaller kitchen than ours though and an overlooked plot.

We are upsizing to a 5 bed!

Honestly no annoying factor at all.

OP posts:
Catcatcatcatcat · 07/04/2026 07:50

Without a link nobody can help tbh.

RoseField1 · 07/04/2026 07:49

We are literally on the edge of global financial collapse because of a war started by our main allies. It's really not the time to be selling a property.

LVhandbagsatdawn · 07/04/2026 07:49

There's huge uncertainty in the world / economy at the moment and the market is very slow.

I'd assume you'll be waiting a while to sell. You could always drop the price again but it might be too soon to do that.

Twasasurprise · 07/04/2026 07:48

Whinge · 07/04/2026 07:46

It's only 5 years old and you've already put it up for sale twice in that time.

Perhaps that's ringing alarm bells for potential buyers.

I agree. I'd be reluctant to put in an offer if I'd got wind of you being flaky and pulling out on another buyer in the past.

Mogbiscuit · 07/04/2026 07:47

Cost of living and the economy generally. Do you know how much the other houses sold for? It may have well below asking price. Prices have dropped not risen in the last 2 years.

clary · 07/04/2026 07:47

The market is poor at the moment with a lot of people feeling very cautious given the world situation and rising mortgage rates. I think people are wary of committing to a big purchase.

If you are getting viewings that suggests it is not specifically the listing (tho I am not sure if eight in four weeks is a lot). Tbf it is usually the price. Have houses like yours sold at the price you are asking in the last couple of months? If you are on an estate there must be similar houses to compare?

Why are you moving? I mean if it's for work or to be close to family then no worries, but is there a big annoying factor that viewers are spotting?

ETA x posted with lots; I see @Housesellinghelp you talk about upsizing. Is that what you are doing? Upsizing from a big four-bed?