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Original poster

In the depths of despair over house move

75 replies

HeIsNotTheSun · 12/10/2020 18:31

Our house has been on the market for two months now. Tonnes of viewers but no one seems to want it and I don’t get it.

It’s on at offers over home report value which is standard. It’s bright and clean and decorated to a high standard. It has a lovely garden. Sought after area, really good schools.

No urgent repairs etc needing done, we have looked after it.

Houses in surrounding streets are all selling fine but ours is just going nowhere and I don’t get it. The feedback is always “beautiful house, a bit smaller than we wanted” or “lovely house, lovely and bright but not quite what we are looking for”. Nothing concrete. I mean it’s not massive but you wouldn’t expect it to be for the price (and the schedule is quite clear).

I just can’t hack it any more. I want to take it down and just forget it but our kids are getting bigger and we want to move on. We need more space.

I just don’t know what to do. I don’t understand it.

OP posts:
Bluntness100 · 12/10/2020 18:40

I am not sure folks can help if you don’t post a link.

Bluntness100 · 12/10/2020 18:48

Also without a link I’d say it’s price. Probably even with a link. If people are saying things like it’s a little small, then they mean it’s too small for the price. Or not what we are looking for is not what we are looking for for this price.

Original poster
HeIsNotTheSun · 12/10/2020 18:48

I don’t want to post a link, it’s too outing and I’m feeling far too sensitive about it all. It’s not really so much advice on the house I’m looking for. It’s more just when you call it a day. The neighbours have all been gossiping about it too. Trying to keep the house clean for viewers with two kids is so fucking hard and viewers can be so unreasonable sometimes too.

OP posts:
Bluntness100 · 12/10/2020 18:52

I’d go a bit longer, two months isn’t two long, but as said it it is over priced and you can’t afford to drop it, then there isn’t much point in carrying on.

Original poster
HeIsNotTheSun · 12/10/2020 18:54

I’ll have a think about the price. It’s just that houses on the same street have gone for over the asking price (pretty much the same as ours) so it’s hard to swallow

OP posts:
Frownette · 12/10/2020 18:55

2 months isn't that long, especially in these times.

The estate agent probably will want to review the listing with you if it goes on much longer but try not to panic too much. With the estate agents they said there were a reasonable amount of viewings so they weren't concerned at lack of offers at first (offer came in the next week).

I can understand your frustration but it's still early days.

Bluntness100 · 12/10/2020 18:56

@HeIsNotTheSun

I’ll have a think about the price. It’s just that houses on the same street have gone for over the asking price (pretty much the same as ours) so it’s hard to swallow
There must be something different op. It makes no logical sense for someone to buy an identical house for more and not want yours.

So the kitchen, bathroom. Flooring, decor, presentation, size of plot, street location, there is something that differentiates.

As said, it’s really hard to advise without a link.

Ulpo · 12/10/2020 18:58

Name change and then repost with a link. People can give honest feedback.

Frownette · 12/10/2020 18:59

@Bluntness100 I really think OP doesn't want to post a link as it's too personal, but she could talk through it with estate agents/neighbours/friends.

S00LA · 12/10/2020 18:59

Bluntness is right - it’s the price. It’s always the price.

Love51 · 12/10/2020 18:59

It isn't a great time to be selling. But why would you quit just because you don't get what you want straight away? Just leave it on there market till it sells. I've been there with the tidying up and small kids but it is worth it in the end.

Kenworthington · 12/10/2020 19:00

Ugh op I feel your pain. We’ve been on for 5 months now and it’s THE most frustrating thing because places round here are being snapped up within a week. Every single other bloody house. Again like you, we are having a few viewers, but never close to an offer. The usual thing they say is they love the house but the gardens too small. So frustrating. There nothing I can bloody do about the size of the garden! Our estate agents can’t understand why it’s not sold either and the only thing they think is that it’s ‘unique’ and ‘quirky’ and we just need to wait for the right people. Ugh

MirandaMarple · 12/10/2020 19:04

Noone says your house should sell in two months. Take a breather. It took me two years from going up for sale to moving date. I think I tallied 56 viewings in that time and there were 3 offers.

Not what you want to hear, I know, but houses don't always just 'sell like that'

All neighbours gossip, I have saved searches on Rightmove purely because I'm nosey - who doesn't?!

My humble advice would be grow a thick skin now, you've not even got to offers/negotiating stage yet. It could get hideous (I've been there) but we all live to tell the tale.

Bluntness100 · 12/10/2020 19:06

Leaving it on thr market till it sells is very dangerous. After enough time peoole start to think what’s wrong with it and why is it the house no one else wants.

Arrowcat · 12/10/2020 19:09

Have you got it advertised as offers over? Or offers in region of?
Both those phrases might put people off - they put me off. Put it on for what you want, dont mess around.
Don't take offence with cheeky offers (10% general rule).
Or drop the price slightly.
You can't do much about the garden - but you can put in on lower to already take account of it.
If everything is right then you might just have to wait for the right people.

Viviennemary · 12/10/2020 19:10

Is there anything about your house that could put people off. Like extra small paved garden, downstairs bathroom. Tiny second or third bedroom. Tiny kitchen. ,Have a good look at the photos of the houses sold and think if I was the buyer why did I choose that house. Sometimes there doesn't seem to be any logic to people's choices.

CatsAndEyeliner · 12/10/2020 19:10

That sounds really tough OP.

Don’t feel pressured to post a link if you’re not feeling strong enough to cope with feedback right now. But maybe in the future you could name change and post it under a different thread.

Eviebeans · 12/10/2020 19:11

Has the estate agent given any advice about price? Or made suggestions about changes you could make?

Original poster
HeIsNotTheSun · 12/10/2020 19:11

Kenworthington do people keep saying to you “oh it’s such a good time to sell right now, everything is just so busy!” It is soul destroying.

OP posts:
Original poster
HeIsNotTheSun · 12/10/2020 19:12

Estate agent is a shambles. They’re so busy they can’t cope with it. Maybe we should move but it’s all so expensive.

OP posts:
S00LA · 12/10/2020 19:13

Well if you’ve had lots of viewings it sounds like the agents are doing their job.

Frownette · 12/10/2020 19:15

Have you already earmarked new place to move into?

Your time will come, though it's apparent you're very stressed. As hard as it is please try to relax and bear with it. Moving can be quite a fraught experience.

Original poster
HeIsNotTheSun · 12/10/2020 19:16

Yeah we’ve seen a couple of places that we like but it’s looking less and less likely that we’ll get either of those places. Then it’ll be Christmas and everything will die a death.

OP posts:
MirandaMarple · 12/10/2020 19:17

@Bluntness100

Leaving it on thr market till it sells is very dangerous. After enough time peoole start to think what’s wrong with it and why is it the house no one else wants.
I can't get my head around this.

Won't surveys bring up anything that's terribly wrong? People are far too swayed by the date a property was added on Rightmove.

Eviebeans · 12/10/2020 19:22

If it is a property that would usually appeal to first time buyers it may be because they are struggling to get funds atm