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Why won't my house sell

999 replies

StopSearching · 05/03/2021 13:57

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.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
46
teentipans · 05/03/2021 23:52

The thing is that where we live, to get a detached property like you describe would be +100k than we are asking, at least.

I don't think you are getting it OP, it's not just the price of the local market it's value for money.
I'm in London, 3 bed terrace with no parking & small garden, are 1m plus. Yes compared to my house your home is cheaper however it's not good value at all

SixesAndEights · 05/03/2021 23:57

@teentipans

The thing is that where we live, to get a detached property like you describe would be +100k than we are asking, at least.

I don't think you are getting it OP, it's not just the price of the local market it's value for money.
I'm in London, 3 bed terrace with no parking & small garden, are 1m plus. Yes compared to my house your home is cheaper however it's not good value at all

Exactly. The other house near OP's had everything done already, to get OP's house up to scratch would cost tens of thousands.

The EA blurb suggests reconfiguring the kitchen to make it into the big kitchen people want these days, so even they are saying it needs some major work.

StopSearching · 05/03/2021 23:58

@AaronPurr

I agree. But in this area they would pay +300K for that.

If they'd have to pay £300k+ for a properly detached house why would they pay £350k for yours?

Especially considering the current plus point of open views is going to become a huge building site where development could last years.

I'm also interested in a PP point, Op why do you want to move?

No, I mean 300k on top of what we are asking.
OP posts:

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Summertime246 · 05/03/2021 23:59

It really is a shame that the field behind you is being built on in the near future. There's nothing you can do about that though.

OP, I'm not really sure what you were hoping to achieve from this thread. You've been told by hundreds of people your house is way over priced and in poor condition/in need of a complete renovation and you just don't seem to be listening. I appreciate you put in a new kitchen and bathroom but to be honest, whilst the bathroom is ok, the kitchen looks like you went for the cheapest option available. I cannot see 110k worth of improvements.

I don't know much about prices in your area. I love in a rural location myself and an area which is popular for holiday homes/retirement etc. I would not entertain the thought of buying your house for any more than 250k and the only reason it's that high is because of the location.

Of it's been two years, there's clearly a problem with the price. I'm afraid you're not being realistic.

expat101 · 06/03/2021 00:02

Do UK agents use ''by negotiation'' at all instead of showing a price? Where I live the property market is zooming along and so every listing has this on it now.

personally, I don't like it as a buyer, but as a seller I can see the point.

lighteincastlewindow · 06/03/2021 00:22

Many people would just see that as potential development land as your house looks like a newish build.

That is it, as a buyer I am out on all those behind the house shots. Everyone has a price for farmland.

StopSearching · 06/03/2021 00:23

This is your main problem, you have a three bedroom home for a four bedroom price. People looking for a four bedroom property are doing so because they want to use all the bedrooms. They can't use one of the bedrooms in your home. Try selling it as a three bedroom home, priced accordingly, and you will sell.

So, if you look for 3 bedroomed houses in my area this is what comes up:

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/85322441#/

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/101788520#/

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/72519765#/

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/find.html?locationIdentifier=POSTCODE%5E1065189&maxBedrooms=3&minBedrooms=3&radius=3.0&propertyTypes=&includeSSTC=false&mustHave=&dontShow=&furnishTypes=&keywords=

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/78303993#/

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/78368889#/

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/85432520#/

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/85432520#/

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/99890726#/

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/88838716#/

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/101286650#/

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/86115319#/

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/100082027#/

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/89577004#/

All of these are at least 100k more than we are asking.

Just to give a feel of the local property market.

OP posts:
thosetalesofunexpected · 06/03/2021 00:25

@StopSearching

You house desperately needs front door kerb appeal ,(first impressions is so important .
Your front door needs big acctractive pots containers wit /or without Plants.

Your garden needs that round concrete centre piece, to be more acctractively enhanced in some way for e.g a water feature in the middle.
Also acctractive lightening aswell.

(Maybe add acctractive paving stones too?
To add colourful plants /or plants that have acctractive foliage or big couple of acctractive plants containers.

On window sills add herbs/or nice house plants .

I like your artistic looking bedspread op.

You need to have house more homely /cosy looking but in a way that makes any potential buyer see there is a potential to put their own personal stamp identity on it as their home.

Also you need to make your living rooms seating areas more cosy/homely feel by adding nice colour throws and cushions to complent this.

I think what's off putting is seeing the view of the field as it gives the impression that its definately prime potential development area in the near future.

Also add acctractive blinds/or curtains to make it look less bare/souless op.

StopSearching · 06/03/2021 00:28

@RoundedTum

Someone viewing the house is likely to think there are damp and structural issues though - given the cracks, marks and damp marks.
I agree, and we will get all of that sorted, thanks.
OP posts:
thosetalesofunexpected · 06/03/2021 00:30

Front door kerb appeal big acctractive pot plants containers with/or without plants.

As at the moment your front door entrance looks far too functional and drab, and boring.!

Best of luck
Hope you sell your house in near future and can move on op

StopSearching · 06/03/2021 00:33

@AaronPurr

I guess because it doesn't have serious structural issues or damp problems?

Have you had a survey regarding the damp? There's definitely problems regarding damp. You claim it's all historical and no longer a problem, but the virtual tour tells a very different story.

There were two problems with the damp:
  1. Storm damage to roof. Tiles blown off, water came in. The roof has been repaired, no further damage. No damp.

  2. The immersion tank had a rubber seal that had eroded over time and caused water to leak. It has been repaired, no further damage. No damp.

What we need to do is re-plaster the two ceilings that were affected at the time which we will do.

To us, it's minor repair but I can see that to a potential purchaser it might indicated more serious problems, so we'll get that taken care of, thanks.

This feedback is so useful, thanks to everyone who has taken the time to comment.

OP posts:
BitOfFun · 06/03/2021 00:35

Right, first watch Buying and Selling To get the gist of why they do this and how, but you could transform this into a stunning home with an open concept IF you got rid of these walls. It shouldn't cost more than £8-10K, and you will take that value with you when you sell.

Google Property Brothers, trust me!

Why won't my house sell
caringcarer · 06/03/2021 00:42

You could add colour and appeal by getting some plants potted up and placed along front of house. A hanging basket of winter pansies would also add colour. The forth bedroom is on a separate floor. A lot of people won't like that. I quite like wooden kitchen units but I know loads of people just want white so would be price factoring in new kitchen. The pictures don't do the house any favours. I would want better photos than that. You could try to do a bit more with your garden. I don't know area but if you lower price £20k a different set of people will be viewing it.

DifficultBloodyWoman · 06/03/2021 00:43

My thoughts are that there are few issues with the house/listing.

  1. The photos don’t put it in a great light. The aerial shots in particular make it look like a terrace house. Perhaps that is why the ad emphasizes ‘detached’ so much. Also, with no windows down the side of the house, it is more like a terrace. When people hear ‘detatched’ they think of space (and windows) all around the building.
  1. The rooms seem small. Either because they are or because the furniture is too big for the rooms (I’m thinking about squeezing around the side of a double bed).

2a. The rooms seem small, possibly because the living areas were designed for a 2bed plus box room house, rather than a 4 bedroom house. The kitchen is small for a family kitchen.

  1. The fourth bedroom is a box room. That is massively off putting for me. I want bedrooms of roughly equal sizes. I know you can’t do anything about it but it makes me see the house as a 3bed plus an extra space, not 4bed.
  1. Shower only in the master? That is not an en-suite in my books. Just weird. Add a sink and a loo or get rid of it.
  1. I realise that a lot of these points are not things that you can easily remedy but that is why it should be reflected in the price. I know Sherbourne only slightly and if I were moving there from outside the area, your house wouldn’t be what I was looking for in a detached house in Sherbourne. Rightly or wrongly, houses in Sherbourne should, to my mind, have more space and more character.
caringcarer · 06/03/2021 00:52

The house that @Standfordpines found just 5 miles away is lovely. You have very stuff competition OP.

StopSearching · 06/03/2021 01:04

@MrBullinaChinaShop

What attracted you to the house OP?
We moved here from a 3 bed terraced. I was excited about having our own off road parking, with space for visitors too. And a garage and side gate to the garden, and an outside tap Grin

I loved the house from the moment we walked in. It's has lots of light and it felt like a holiday home with everything we wanted.

There is an absolute ton of storage here, with cupboards in the loft room, (plus loft storage behind the bed which isn't in the particulars), big cupboard on the stairs which is where we keep our suitcases and lots of jigsaw puzzles. There's more cupboard space in the other bedrooms. We are big board games fans so we keep a lot of those in there. I love the thin cupboard on the landing which is specially designed to hold the ironing board!

The house is lovely, the nearest shop (co-op) is so close it feels like our store cupboard. The neighbours are lovely - houses here rarely come on the market. It's just a short walk to the town which, although a tourist destination, is unspoilt. It's an easy day trip to to coast, or Bristol or Exeter. The surrounding countryside is lovely and so close

Everything is so convenient here, even down to the local recycling centre. We are moving away to be nearer family but I'm certain that we will miss the easy going, convenient lifestyle that we've enjoyed here. I love it. I'm sure whoever buys the house will love it to.

I've asked for critiques and I've got them. That's great. It's just what I wanted. I've had more useful feedback from mn in one day than I've had from estate agents in 2 years. This is priceless so I thank each and every one of you that have posted.

OP posts:
WeAllHaveWings · 06/03/2021 01:09

If you are painting the ceilings with damp patches be aware they will just show through the paint again. Fix the underlying problem then use this stuff to seal before painting zinsser

StopSearching · 06/03/2021 01:28

@AaronPurr

I guess because it doesn't have serious structural issues or damp problems?

Have you had a survey regarding the damp? There's definitely problems regarding damp. You claim it's all historical and no longer a problem, but the virtual tour tells a very different story.

Yes
OP posts:
StopSearching · 06/03/2021 01:30

@dotdashdashdash

You aren't coming across as a motivated seller.

Whilst I appreciate you say it isn't mouldy, it isn't damp, there aren't cracks but in the video tour it looks like there are. So you need to get rid of the cracks, seal and paint over what appears to be mould and damp.

Or lower the price.

Yep, we will get rid of cracks and paint over repairs, thanks.
OP posts:
StopSearching · 06/03/2021 01:32

@sunflowersandbuttercups

I guess because it doesn't have serious structural issues or damp problems?

A huge number of people have assumed it had damp and structural issues from the walkthrough video.

It looks like it has damp and mould on the bathroom and shower room ceilings and severe damp or leaks on at least two other ceilings as well.

People will see that and be instantly put off.

Thanks, this is great feedback. Once we get the ceilings replastered and repainted this will be resolved.
OP posts:
StopSearching · 06/03/2021 01:36

@teentipans

The thing is that where we live, to get a detached property like you describe would be +100k than we are asking, at least.

I don't think you are getting it OP, it's not just the price of the local market it's value for money.
I'm in London, 3 bed terrace with no parking & small garden, are 1m plus. Yes compared to my house your home is cheaper however it's not good value at all

But I'm not comparing my house to London. I'm comparing it to houses within 5 miles. Big difference. If you want to live in London, those are the prices you have to pay. If you want to live where I live, these are the prices you have to pay. It's all relative.
OP posts:
StopSearching · 06/03/2021 01:45

@BitOfFun

Right, first watch Buying and Selling To get the gist of why they do this and how, but you could transform this into a stunning home with an open concept IF you got rid of these walls. It shouldn't cost more than £8-10K, and you will take that value with you when you sell.

Google Property Brothers, trust me!

We could do that. Personally I like the living room to be separate so that someone can be watching tv and someone else can be reading in the other room, or chatting, or cooking or whatever.
OP posts:
MagnoliaXYZ · 06/03/2021 01:54

The estate agent describes the house as cheap per square foot, that's perhaps not the best description of a house. Good value, value for money etc might be better. There is a further reference to cheap in that (very long) paragraph, albeit this time in reference to mortgages. Perhaps best not to associate the word cheap with the advert at all.

They go on to say that everyone is after an open-plan family kitchen, already implying I won't like the house and will have to do work on it to bring it up to standard. I'm not knowledgeable about extensions, but is there space to extend the house further? Surely the neighbours would object to that. The garden, in my opinion, is too small as it is and extending it would leave you with no garden to speak of.

The description of your house in that massive block of text doesn't seem correct - the implication is that the downstairs loo leads off the utility. Not a problem that it doesn't but I'd be wondering, as a buyer, how the estate agent got it wrong and what else may be wrong.

The first photo is frustrating - I would want to know which house I was viewing.

The second photo, again, it's not clear which house I am meant to be looking at. And after telling me about the rural views, it looks very urban in the background of that photo.

The third photo, would it be worth re-taking that, square on from the front of the house, on a sunny day and at a time of the day that the shadow isn't falling on your driveway?

The little patio in the garden is rather strange. If it's a patio, can you put a table and some chairs on there or something?

I'm on photo 7 and am finally seeing inside the house. There are a lot of outside photos, considering there are only 20 in total and there are 8 external photos.

The living room looks quite cramped in that photo (the fact that the person sitting on the sofa is looking directly at the side of the head of the person sitting in the brown chair, almost as though the person on the sofa isn't part of the conversation). Likewise, the dining room looks like a little passageway with a table shoved in it, though it looks less long and narrow on the plan so maybe it is just taken at an odd angle (in fact, several of the photos seem to have that same weird angle)? With that sort of being separate to the conservatory type room, it feels as though there are no windows in there so needs brightening up for photos/viewings.

The kitchen looks tiny, the surface lower left next to the camera needs a good wipe down, you need a blind up in there and the cable coming from the cooker to the socket looks very taught. Is that the only place you can plug the cooker in? I've never seen a cooker plugged in like that before. I would probably want to knock through in to the utility and possibly the dining room and then have the conservatory type room as the dining area. I'd probably want a door up between the new, bigger kitchen and the conservatory type room as I'm not keen on open-plan kitchen-diners. The kitchen almost looks unused with nothing other than the kettle and toaster on the counter tops. Even the microwave is in the utility suggesting, to me, that the kitchen is too small for use.

The bedrooms generally look quite cramped and not very homely without curtains. The one with the sloping ceiling seems unusual (I would feel a bit claustrophobic I think sleeping under a ceiling that close to my head) and the picture seems in a very unusual placement. Can the room be rearranged, maybe putting a chest of drawers or a dressing table under that part of the room. I can't quite tell what they are on the wall, but on that photo and the one before it almost looks like there is a sort of low dado rail? The bedroom with the mirrored doors looks tiny, and suggests that all you can fit in there is a double bed. I personally don't like mirrored doors like that but I'm guessing they would cost a bit to rip out (might enlarge the room, though) and replace the bed with a single/queen sized bed and a bedside table at least. In the top bedroom, the person sleeping the furthest from the door would seem to have to climb off the end of the bed if they were first up/needed to get up in the night. The little shower room also looks tiny and a bit odd. I know the shower is not directly in the bedroom, but it's not as if there is space to get dried off a little in there. Is there no scope to extend the en-suite in to the storage area behind? The floorplan also makes it look as though the entrance to the shower is another built in wardrobe and the shower comes directly off the bedroom.

The last aerial shot emphasises how small the garden is and how packed together the houses are. I imagine your drive was initially like your neighbours, with grass outside the window? I actually think it looks better as your neighbour has it.

The house looks better on the tour than in the photos, there are some homely touches which make it look less cold but I still don't think it is being shown to its true potential. I think you need to get new photos taken.

I've only had a look at a couple of the other houses you have posted, but I definitely prefer them, sorry. Those houses are built as four beds; pre-extension, your house really was a two bed with a nursery/home office and the size of the living spaces, I feel, reflects that. I think it is probably more comparable to three beds, two reception rooms in your local area rather than four bed with three reception rooms. Before the pandemic, did you view many houses? Were they comparable in size/layout and price?

teentipans · 06/03/2021 02:29

I'm comparing it to houses within 5 miles. Big difference.
If you want to live where I live, these are the prices you have to pay.

Yep, still not getting it.
People are buying houses in your area, they are just not buying your house. You are absolutely deluded if you think you will get 350k anytime soon in it's current state.

teentipans · 06/03/2021 02:40

And if you are going to spend a good chunk to get it up to the 350k standard then I would strongly suggest professional help with colours, lighting etc