Why won't my house sell

[StopSearching]

My house has been on the market for nearly two years. Recently we took it off and remarketed with new agents. No viewings. We've been so patient for two years but it's getting me down now.

I just want to move on. Nothing wrong with where we live, it's a lovely little town but we have plans and this is all that stopping us. I've stopped looking for houses to buy as they are sold before we even get viewings.

Anyone else having similar problems? It's so frustrating.

I agree with pps that to sell it you will either need to spend money on doing it up or reduce the price - it really does need quite a lot of work.

The one nearby on for £335k that sold is a much better buy- completely ready to move into, no spends work needed.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/71884494

We sold ours at the end of last year. Even though ours is a 4 bed, it’s quite similar - one loft room and one small office.

Things we did to help sell, some since we moved in:
Got a proper en-suite in the loft. Admittedly we did this a few years ago now. Dressed the loft a a spacious and airy master bedroom, a haven from the rest of the home.
Made a real effort with the front of the house - plants in pots, flowerbed etc.
Repainted the hallway and master bedroom in neutral greys.
New bedding, light shades and curtains throughout.
All minor DIY up to date (clean carpets, windows)
Fresh flowers every week while we had viewings.
Made the agent re-do the photos 3 times.

I think its probably due to Covid. Hopefully thinks pick up soon :)

@NorthernGal64

I think its probably due to Covid. Hopefully thinks pick up soon :)

It was on the market for a year before Covid was even heard of.

@NorthernGal64

I think its probably due to Covid. Hopefully thinks pick up soon :)

Really? It's been 2 years, not sure Covid can be blamed for this.

Others house have sold in the area. OPs house is more expensive despite needing more work. Simple answer to why it's not sold, it's overpriced.

Try watching channel 4 "Love it or list it" you will pick up some good tips. Or even apply for that show.

For me, green carpet is horrible. The kitchen isn't the heart of the home, it is just lacking any wow character (to make me think id want to buy this). Sorry!

Photos are dreadful! Why no picture of inside until photo 7??
My first thoughts as I flicked through

1. Which house?
2. Which house?
3. Mouldy drive
4. Mouldy drive
5. Random field
6. Shed
7. Boring room with weird shape accentuated by armchair location
8. Dark dark lounge

Etc

The loft room doesn't seem to meet fire regulations, and the huge dormer must surely need building regs. I'd be suspicious of it actually being described as a bedroom.

I applaud you OP for taking onboard everything that’s been posted.

The house is very tired. Artex, chipped and badly painted woodwork, poor decor, carpets etc. I can see past your furniture (sorry) but it’s thousands involved in just sorting the decor. The pipes running up the walls for the heating are off putting for me plus I think you need new double glazing, front door, kitchen, etc. it is a renovation project for me.

Basically, a house I’d rip to the walls and start again.

I’ve only just noticed all the exposed pipe work downstairs.
Do you know who the builders were OP? It’s really shoddily done for a 20 year old house.

Op one thing I'd ask is why do you want to sell?

I do agree with others that you either spend £££ to do it up or you reduce the price.
Either way you'll be no better off.

@Crookairroad

I applaud you OP for taking onboard everything that’s been posted.

The house is very tired. Artex, chipped and badly painted woodwork, poor decor, carpets etc. I can see past your furniture (sorry) but it’s thousands involved in just sorting the decor. The pipes running up the walls for the heating are off putting for me plus I think you need new double glazing, front door, kitchen, etc. it is a renovation project for me.

Basically, a house I’d rip to the walls and start again.

Agree. Too many walls downstairs! Lots of tiny dark rooms. Knock through most of it and make a nice bright airy lounge diner kitchen.

If it were not on an estate, I'd consider it but not at your asking price. I like Sherborne, but I would be bulldozing your house, and the plot is too small. Says a 60 something downsizer.

@StopSearching

That's just a shelf that dh took off a wall and stored there to the side of the wardrobe. Not sure why he stored it there as we have a perfectly good garage to put it in but also not sure what you think this photo shows?

Shoddy paintwork, strangely located plug points, stained carpets, and damp issues?

@Crookairroad

I applaud you OP for taking onboard everything that’s been posted.

The house is very tired. Artex, chipped and badly painted woodwork, poor decor, carpets etc. I can see past your furniture (sorry) but it’s thousands involved in just sorting the decor. The pipes running up the walls for the heating are off putting for me plus I think you need new double glazing, front door, kitchen, etc. it is a renovation project for me.

Basically, a house I’d rip to the walls and start again.

Taking on board everything that’s been posted?!?!

Apart from the real issue that the price is too high, which continually gets ignored whenever mentioned.

Just spotted this.

It looks downright dangerous.

All the ceilings have signs of water leaks and cracks. It makes me wonder if the loft bedroom floor was properly reinforced to building regs.

@sunflowersandbuttercups

We've lived here about 13 years and paid 240 for it.

Okay, so what makes it worth 110k more than what you paid for it?

We put in new kitchen, new bathroom, new driveway (was just tarmac) and the garden room. Plus the general house price increase in the area. I think we will do all the repairs as even though they are minor they obviously come off as more serious in photos/video.

What’s the power cable coming from the back of the stove that plugs into the wall? Doesn’t look like it complies with regulations.

@TheBullfinch

Just spotted this.

It looks downright dangerous.

All the ceilings have signs of water leaks and cracks. It makes me wonder if the loft bedroom floor was properly reinforced to building regs.

I don't think it was because it doesn't look like it complies with fire regs for a start, plus the dormer itself looks really iffy.

@Eatingsoupwithafork

Not a helpful comment but I’m shocked at how much people in the South pay for houses vs the North.

Totally agree. We have seriously looked at moving north to get a lovely home for far less than we would pay in this area. Unfortunately work commitments don't allow it at the moment but one day...

Apologies in advance OP I’ve not read through all the comments so may be duplicating. I’m an agent based in the North.

The first image which is the image people see when searching portals is not selling your home at all. Personally, I prefer image 3 as your main image.

The estate agent has not turned on any lights which make some rooms appear as dark and gloomy. There’s no bathroom image - the main expense is kitchen and bathroom, the lack of a bathroom indicates there’s a problem = £££. Kitchen is small and not the desirable white/grey. I’d suggest either looking at having the kitchen vinyl wrapped or painted - it will totally revamp the room for the fraction of a new kitchen. Try ‘dressing up’ your home. Think accessories that make each room feel like it has its own identify/colour scheme. You don’t necessarily need to redecorate as accessories can easily make the room feel more colourful/have a scheme whilst walls remain neutral.

I’d also suggest tweaking price slightly to £349,950. It looks a look better than £350,000.

OP - has that loft space been signed off by building regs?

Often 3 bed houses that are turned into 4 bed are like this size wise, it's just got too many bedrooms for size of house, house isn't too bad though but it shouldn't be priced as a 4 bed.

Get a priest in to bless and release the troubled, trapped, soul in the door frame? The walkthrough/video really doesn’t do you any favours