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Original poster

Viewers saying flat is too small

236 replies

AlabamaArkansas · 26/05/2020 10:11

Has anyone else selling received feedback that their property is too small?

Our flat went on the market the day before lockdown so obviously no viewings. Since estate agents were allowed back to work we've had loads of viewings but consistent feedback that the flat is too small. Slightly confused as to why anyone would bother coming to look at it really as you can clearly see the size of it in the floorplan.

To be honest we didn't think there was much point keeping it on the market as we thought it'd never sell in the current climate, but as we had so much interest thought we might as well keep it on the market. But not much I can do about the size of it, is there! We've already decluttered as much as humanly possible and put stuff in storage.

OP posts:
Friendsofmine · 26/05/2020 10:37

If you averse to lowering the price that suggests it is too high. If you would sell for 25k less than you'd be better attracting people with less money who will be more accepting of the size. You might be attracting people with the budget for bigger properties because you have over priced it?

Friendsofmine · 26/05/2020 10:37

*are not averse, sorry

KatherineJaneway · 26/05/2020 10:38

People will often go and see a place if it is the right area and price range without working out room sizes in advance. Seeing what is on offer for the budget they have.

Maria1921 · 26/05/2020 10:39

Eventually surely a single person who doesn't own much stuff will come along and buy it.

After all, YOU bought it, and so (presumably) did the buyers before you, and so on.

RandomMess · 26/05/2020 10:40

I would go back to the EA and ask them to obtain better feedback (you are paying them after all).

Ask is there anything else from feedback and whether or not the viewers thought it was too small for the price or lacked storage etc.

Original poster
AlabamaArkansas · 26/05/2020 10:42

We saw 3 different EAs and put it on with the lowest valuation, we weren't hoping to get silly money for it.

OP posts:
Sally872 · 26/05/2020 10:42

Can they get bigger place for similar price?

NannyPear · 26/05/2020 10:42

It must be too small for the price of you don't think it's the photos. Obviously a big factor of a house price is the size, so houses in the same area of the same size will generally go for the same price. Buyers know what they can get for their money, and it sounds like they are all surprised when they see yours.

Original poster
AlabamaArkansas · 26/05/2020 10:43

Sally872

It is a typical sized flat for the local area and similarly priced.

OP posts:
Original poster
AlabamaArkansas · 26/05/2020 10:43

Also has off road parking which most flats round here don't have.

OP posts:
Original poster
AlabamaArkansas · 26/05/2020 10:44

After all, YOU bought it, and so (presumably) did the buyers before you, and so on.

We did! And live here quite comfortably with one child.

OP posts:
Ninkanink · 26/05/2020 10:45

Uhm that’s exactly how it works - people will pay what they think is reasonable for the size/location/condition of your flat. Isn’t that pretty much the first rule of property?

Lightsabre · 26/05/2020 10:45

The problem is that people are starting to compare with what they might be able to bag when prices drop soon. At that price, it sounds like you are in a city?

TerrapinStation · 26/05/2020 10:47

I'm another one who can't visualise from floor plans, brains work in different ways, I'd need to actually see it to judge.

But without more detailed feedback you can't know if its too small for the asking price or too small fullstop and maybe the details need to be re-written to attract buyers who genuinely want a small space.

Original poster
AlabamaArkansas · 26/05/2020 10:47

Ninkanink

I know that, I've already said I haven't got an issue with lowering the price.

Yes, I am in London.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 26/05/2020 10:50

I wonder if lock down also means people are starting to visualise being stuck inside a property whereas previously wouldn't have crossed their mind...

BlingLoving · 26/05/2020 10:51

I think this is going to be a Covid-19 problem. If there's one thing that people have learnt in lockdown, it's the importance of space. I have suspected that smaller flats and houses, especially those with little or no outside space, will be the ones that struggle to be sold in this market while larger properties, with outdoor space, might see some uptick in price (although there is likely to be overall downward pressure as a result of the recession of course).

So, for example, when you bought it, in London, you probably thought it was a sweet little flat, close to amenities, lots of fun things to do around etc etc? But now, people are thinking that if they have to spend 80% of their leisure time in the flat, it's less appealing than it would have been before.

Original poster
AlabamaArkansas · 26/05/2020 10:52

BlingLoving totally agree which is why we were just going to take it off and leave it for another year. But then we got loads of interest so I thought maybe not?!

OP posts:
Zaphodsotherhead · 26/05/2020 10:52

Having just bought a house, I can attest to the EA's using all sorts of techniques...putting a single bed in a room but photographing it with a sort of 'fish eye' lens to make it look like a double was one I came across. The room looked as though it was just about big enough for a double bed - turned out to be barely room for a single. Also turning on all the lights so the room looks light and bright in the picture...

Maybe people are hoping that prices are about to crash, Alabama and so they are holding off from buying just yet. They have to say something about the place, 'too small' is just a catch-all phrase. Better than 'smells funny' anyway.

Ninkanink · 26/05/2020 10:54

If you have had loads of viewings and no offers then you will need to lower the price. Eventually you will hit the level that people are willing to pay, at which point it will sell.

vanillandhoney · 26/05/2020 10:54

It's very, very hard to sell property right now.

Original poster
AlabamaArkansas · 26/05/2020 10:55

We have 260k left on the mortgage and it is on for 375 (bought in 2014 for 345).

OP posts:
Ninkanink · 26/05/2020 10:57

It’s true - people are nervous due to lockdown and ramifications. It might take a few months before confidence returns. I guess you could leave it at this price for a while longer if you’re not desperate to sell, and see what happens over the next several months.

BlingLoving · 26/05/2020 10:58

@AlabamaArkansas I think the interest isn't unsurprising. Again, people have been locked down i all kinds of places that feel inappropriate or with horrible landlord or whatever. It's just that requirements are likely to have shifted. so if you'd put it on the market 6 weeks before lockdown, perhaps you'd have found a buyer more easily but now on some level, requirements have changed and that's going to need to filter through into the advice and pricing EAs suggest. Which doesn't happen overnight as they'll need to take on board feedback on your flat, and perhaps similar feedback on other properties until they have enough data, even if it's just anecdotal, to make an assessment.

In our road, traditionally houses sell in a flash because we're in a cheap part of a very expensive area but still in catchment for multiple excellent schools. But one house just wasn't selling recently while the house next door to us got sold repeatedly (sales kept falling through because mortgages were declined/chains etc). I asked the EA about it and she said that even though it was priced in, people didn't like the other house because it didn't have proper central heating. It seemed so petty and yet...

Then a few months ago I looked at a house. It needed general modernisation all round, mostly cosmetic except for the kitchen which needed gutting. But the thing that put me off the most.... no proper central heating which we'd have to install.

The original EA knew what she was talking about but had probably gathered that data over years and lots of experience in this road and with this price point.

mudpiemaker · 26/05/2020 10:59

A video tour of a property is a must. Lots of estate agents offer this.

I sold my house 11 years ago and had this, plus I had a photo of every single room so that there were no surprise rooms when I had veiwings.

I think some people say it is too small when they just don't like somewhere. Gut feeling is hard to articulate.

I have actually linked my property on MN to get a harsh reality view on my old home. But it is worth it to know that people don't hold back. You can't please everyone all of the time, nice to get perspectives. Obviously I name changed.