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Original poster

This is bad isn't it? - House Selling

347 replies

rickandmorts · 28/06/2019 10:57

My mum has had her house on the market since February and is struggling to sell as it's a really unusual home and perhaps not everyone's cup of tea. It is one of 3 houses of the same style on drive and yesterday her NDN said they were also putting their house on the market Shock. It's very similar to my mum's house (same architect designed it). The EA tried to put a positive spin on it and say if people were coming to see NDN it might attract more attention for my mum's but in reality, you'd think they were both selling for some reason wouldn't you? Either something up with the house or something happening in the local area? My poor mum is so stressed about it all and we just want it sold Sad.

OP posts:
wheresmymojo · 28/06/2019 12:15

Wow!

I'm a bit disappointed as I'd got myself ready for 'unique' to mean absolutely ghastly and its actually fantastic.

Would have preferred a monstrosity for the laughs though Grin

Girlwhowearsglasses · 28/06/2019 12:16

I knew it would be a house like this when I clicked. Its lovely and in a lovely place.

You will find the right audience. Change your estate agent and use Modern House [[https://www.themodernhouse.com/]] agency. They are the agent you go to if you want a modern classic architect designed house, The pretty much sell them all.

They are all architects and lovers of 20th century onwards architecture, and often find loads of history and know who designed the house originally. I have two friends who have swapped to them with unusual properties and sold quickly. There is a whole community of people actively looking for properties like this and this is the way to find them.

The decor isn't bad - have a look on the Modern House site ans see some of the houses that age - some need a lot of work..

YogaDrone · 28/06/2019 12:16

OMG, I LOVE it rickandmorts ! What a fantastic home! I don't know this area at all so I can't help with specific advice although just looking at the other houses locally it may be a little overpriced. But that's always so hard to know when the property is unusual.

Generally the photos look good to me - light and airy and wow, the views! I love that your mum has kept the décor sympathetic to the original 1960's feel. It's quite marmite isn't it? There were a lot of art deco houses in the town I grew up in and these seemed to elicit the same love or loath response and I could never understand the latter group of people.

I looked at photos first and then the floorplan, and the floorplan makes the rooms look small (though I'm not sure why given the room dimensions are on the plan). It looks as though there is a huge garden so a map with the property boundaries marked would be useful to show this more clearly. I love the dome like greenhouse too - really envious of that!

If there were anyway I'd be able to live in this house and still commute to the office I would be viewing like a shot Grin

UrsulaPandress · 28/06/2019 12:18

Certainly an acquired taste and it is expensive for the area.

Maybe if the Northern Powerhouse comes to fruition (I can barely type that without hollow laughter) and the eventual electrification of the train line happens, maybe things will pick up...

MoobaaMoobaa · 28/06/2019 12:18

oh and don't worry about another house on the market.

Ours next door and a house 3 doors down all went on the market in the same month. similar houses, with different size extensions and one with no extension. We sold first then next door, the other I don't know about, as they had priced it considerably more than us and it hadn't sold by the time we moved.

SheeshazAZ09 · 28/06/2019 12:19

I absolutely love it. Provided I could be reassured that the flat roof is leakproof, I'd go for it! The presentation and setting are beautiful. If it's not selling then either the EA is a bit crap or the price is too high.

LadyRannaldini · 28/06/2019 12:19

Some of the comments re Huddersfield, I recall that some of the villages around there were relatively expensive for the area, driving down across Emsley Moor towards the M1 was lovely.

justasking111 · 28/06/2019 12:19

The bedroom photos are not good it looks as if the beds are shoved against the walls, which makes folk thing small!! room. Looking at the floor plan one room is really small so I would rearrange the furniture and get the EA back. They made such a good job of the first photos and then got bored it looks like.

Surfingtheweb · 28/06/2019 12:19

It's a lovely house, but if it's not selling it's because it's too expensive (is what my EA family member tells me). Maybe speak to some other estate agents & get new valuations.

Gingernaut · 28/06/2019 12:20

It's beautiful.

Simple, light and spacious. It would be snapped up in the South East at triple the price.

However, it's Hull. Anyone who can afford a house of that value, may well be able to afford something a bit more modern.

An older flat roofed house, from the 60s, may well put people off with thoughts of maintenance and repairs.

Gingernaut · 28/06/2019 12:21

Huddersfield. Not Hull.

Ninkaninus · 28/06/2019 12:21

Oh yes it’s hideous! Hmm

It’s a great house, judging by the first few photos.

Are you actually just trying to sell here on MN, or stealth boast? Because I really don’t think you need to worry!

NewAccount270219 · 28/06/2019 12:21

People saying it’s expensive for Huddersfield - it is in one of the more expensive parts and not that overpriced for the area.

Click on the 'see similar properties' at the top of OP's link and you'll see what else is on for half a mill in the immediate area. It's hard to look at that and not conclude that this house is seriously overpriced.

AuditAngel · 28/06/2019 12:23

I love it, my only concern would be the flat roof. But we are tied to West London

flowerstar19 · 28/06/2019 12:23

It's gorgeous! Wish I was local to your Mum!

Jocasta2018 · 28/06/2019 12:24

It's gorgeous! A beautiful setting, amazing architecture & glorious interior. And so much space!

KitKat1985 · 28/06/2019 12:24

Agree with PP. The house is lovely but if you do a price check on other 3 bed detached houses near by your Mums house is priced far above the others. If your Mum really wants to sell it quickly she needs to take a big chunk off the price. Sorry. x

Coronapop · 28/06/2019 12:24

It may be overpriced given what other 3 bed properties sell for in the area.

Yabbers · 28/06/2019 12:25

It was being marketed as being unique and a rare opportunity etc

I wouldn’t worry about that, it hasn’t worked up to now as a selling point.

The only thing that jumps out to me is a potential mortgage issue. If it is non traditional construction, mortgage (and insurance) can be a problem. It isn’t clear from the particulars what it’s made of but it could be that buyers have had that kind of feedback.

MoanyAnna · 28/06/2019 12:26

Beautiful house.
I don't think you should drop the price, as such; change it to
" Offers in the region of " . Most people will start with an offer lower than the asking price anyway.
Also DO mention the drawings and planning permission; that is added value and, as a previous poster mentioned, may lure some viewers who may have thought the upstairs too small.
Make sure the estate agent gets feedback after every viewing.

Pythonesque · 28/06/2019 12:27

Agree with most PP it is a lovely house for its setting, just needs to find the right person to sell it to. Looking at the pictures I found myself reminded of several lovely houses I've been in in the best parts of Sydney. Patience and good marketing I think ... Good luck!

Nesssie · 28/06/2019 12:27

I LOVE this house. I have always wanted the modern open plan glass windows type house, and all the greenery around it makes it amazing.
Its literally the dream house I picture!

If I could move to Huddersfield, I would buy it.

Original poster
rickandmorts · 28/06/2019 12:27

Yes it's a stealthboast Nink and my mum has gone through all the stress of having it on the market since Feb for the fun of it Grin.

I was seriously gutted when I saw the comments on the article and thought shit no one will want a house this style!

To answer a few questions, the houses within half a mile are cheaper however they're not like this house so it's hard to value a house when there isn't a precedent to follow.

I get what people are saying about flat roofed houses and also the heating costs. She's had all the windows redone and the roof redone and insulated (comes with a lifetime guarantee) and it's not an expensive house to heat but obviously they've only got her word for that.

Thanks for the feedback!

OP posts:
Original poster
rickandmorts · 28/06/2019 12:28

And when people are saying massively overpriced and needs dropping... what to?

OP posts:
Asta19 · 28/06/2019 12:30

I usually hate floor to ceiling windows but in that setting they look amazing. I also really love the decor. I'm guessing as others have said, it's the price for the area that's the issue. I can offer you £100 for it if you want a quick sale Grin Would love to buy it for real but sadly lacking in funds!

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