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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
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7
Heisrevising · 03/05/2026 14:18

KeepPumping · 03/05/2026 13:33

In some areas even well priced houses won"t sell because demand has dropped by a lot.

So it’s not well priced for the market.

a house doesn’t have a concrete value. The value is determined by market demand.

KeepPumping · 03/05/2026 13:33

Heisrevising · 03/05/2026 10:42

You think it’s “fairly priced” @Housesellinghelp

Potential buyers do not

In some areas even well priced houses won"t sell because demand has dropped by a lot.

KeepPumping · 03/05/2026 13:32

Linnende · 16/04/2026 22:07

In the current climate it is a buyers market. If your house is priced fairly it will sell. We priced our house in February £20k below the price the EA's advised. Sold in 3 days and for 13k over our asking price, competing bidders. Buyers will decide the market value, not the EA. Put it on at offers over £600k and see what happens.

In many cases lenders decide the value, lots of buyers don"t have the cash to "make up the difference" now.

Heisrevising · 03/05/2026 10:42

You think it’s “fairly priced” @Housesellinghelp

Potential buyers do not

YourShyLion · 16/04/2026 22:15

Without a link or a crystal ball, this is really a waste of time

Linnende · 16/04/2026 22:07

In the current climate it is a buyers market. If your house is priced fairly it will sell. We priced our house in February £20k below the price the EA's advised. Sold in 3 days and for 13k over our asking price, competing bidders. Buyers will decide the market value, not the EA. Put it on at offers over £600k and see what happens.

KeepPumping · 13/04/2026 00:26

B33cka8 · 11/04/2026 19:32

Agree! People will check what you paid for it

Yes, and if it was during a super low interest rate period it won"t be worth the same now, and they will be checking price reductions in the area using PropertyLog or a similar app.

LibertyLily · 11/04/2026 19:56

PenelopePinkerton · 11/04/2026 19:43

1700sqft is quite small s is 6x4 lounge. I’d be expecting much more area for the money.

Indeed. We once downsized from a six bed Victorian house of 3500 sq ft, to a 1650 sq ft house (Tudor) with two beds. That felt noticeably small compared to our previous house...but large for a two bed. 1700 sq ft for four beds doesn't seem that spacious imo.

PenelopePinkerton · 11/04/2026 19:43

1700sqft is quite small s is 6x4 lounge. I’d be expecting much more area for the money.

B33cka8 · 11/04/2026 19:32

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.

Agree! People will check what you paid for it

Yellowchair1 · 11/04/2026 18:38

Things are likely to be subdued as people are worried about inflation and mortgage rates so market will slow down and you need to reduce it slightly to get a sale. On the plus side the house you want to buy will also need to reduce price so it all works out overall!

KeepPumping · 11/04/2026 14:31

TheSillyPinkFatball · 09/04/2026 20:46

Without actually seeing your house its a total waste of a thread.

Your decision not too post link but you cant expect any helpful feedback !

Very true, it is easier to compare other nearby similar houses as well.

KeepPumping · 10/04/2026 16:13

Rainbowdottie · 10/04/2026 15:20

Without reading all the replies, my first thought is you need to have a serious conversation with your estate agent. Why hasn’t he got feedback for you? Is he updating you on what he’s doing to sell it? Does it need a refresh with another agent, new pics, new energy etc

If the price is wrong none of the "staging" stuff works, people just scroll past. The best thing is to work out the monthly mortgage payments with a mortgage calculator and think seriously if your target buyer can/will pay that much to live there.

Rainbowdottie · 10/04/2026 15:20

Without reading all the replies, my first thought is you need to have a serious conversation with your estate agent. Why hasn’t he got feedback for you? Is he updating you on what he’s doing to sell it? Does it need a refresh with another agent, new pics, new energy etc

KeepPumping · 10/04/2026 15:15

ImImmortalNowBabyDoll · 09/04/2026 18:25

It's irrelevant if that's the going rate or not. The vast majority of people cannot buy a £650k house.

Not now anyway, they can"t get the mortgage anymore, the people selling have obviously overpaid and need to adjust their expectations.

KeepPumping · 10/04/2026 15:13

Lastgig · 09/04/2026 15:18

We live near a very posh market town and new 5 beds are £895k.
However ours has been reduced as my illness means we have to move. I'm paying the same for a mobility friendly terraced two bed albeit it's a period property. It's madness and having never owned a modern house before this I had no idea there was such a small group of buyers. I love the house and the location but it's not shifting or getting many views. I can't afford to reduce it to what I paid as I can't buy my onward home.
I feel really concerned after reading all the responses.

Your onward purchase needs to reduce their price, you have to negotiate hard and avoid sellers that just can"t or won"t accept the economic reality of where we are.

Aluna · 10/04/2026 11:48

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 09/04/2026 12:31

Some people might make nasty comments, @Aluna - but others might offer constructive advice. We are not all the same.

One person’s constructive is another’s passive aggressive.

TheSillyPinkFatball · 09/04/2026 20:46

Without actually seeing your house its a total waste of a thread.

Your decision not too post link but you cant expect any helpful feedback !

likelysuspect · 09/04/2026 20:04

Lastgig · 09/04/2026 17:48

@PeonyPatch absolutely not as the have the estate agent from hell ( they won't let me review until I've sold). Their agent is known for overpricing but it's not really too much in the scheme of things. Although they're looking for a profit!

Can you get a ground floor maisonette?

PeonyPatch · 09/04/2026 19:25

Lastgig · 09/04/2026 18:57

No.

Looks like you’ll need to buy a cheaper house then!

Lastgig · 09/04/2026 18:57

PeonyPatch · 09/04/2026 18:01

I’m not really understanding, are you doing a part exchange or something?

No.

ImImmortalNowBabyDoll · 09/04/2026 18:25

Housesellinghelp · 09/04/2026 14:46

In this area, you would have no choice but to spend this sort of money on a family home. It’s an expensive area. We’re looking for a 5 bed and anything detached, 5 bed and ‘nice’ is £850k+.

It's irrelevant if that's the going rate or not. The vast majority of people cannot buy a £650k house.

PeonyPatch · 09/04/2026 18:01

Lastgig · 09/04/2026 17:48

@PeonyPatch absolutely not as the have the estate agent from hell ( they won't let me review until I've sold). Their agent is known for overpricing but it's not really too much in the scheme of things. Although they're looking for a profit!

I’m not really understanding, are you doing a part exchange or something?

KatiePricesKnickers · 09/04/2026 17:50

I’m haven’t read through 260 posts, but surely it’s already been pointed out that it’s not a new build anymore.

Lastgig · 09/04/2026 17:48

@PeonyPatch absolutely not as the have the estate agent from hell ( they won't let me review until I've sold). Their agent is known for overpricing but it's not really too much in the scheme of things. Although they're looking for a profit!