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.

Another question

Please don’t say this is an electric oven plugged into the mains with a regular socket.

(Please start a new thread if you can bear it op)

I like the house, and were I looking, I would consider it as a doer upper. Nothing strikes me as seriously major, but would run in to 1000's, definitely.

I won't go into what the problems are, as they've been discussed extensively here.
Some of the things people think are problematic wouldn't be for me, i.e.. possible development of the field, size of garden, too close to next door (it isn't, there are reasonable width gates on both sides of the house, so at least a metre, I've seen houses built closer than that).

You weren't interested in making your house a show home, and that is absolutely fine, I'm not really either.

But your house requires a fair bit of work, and a lot of people aren't interested in doing that. The ones that are will require a lower price to offset the money that will need to be spent on it.

You need to drop the price. £315,000 - £320,000 is more realistic.

@LoveYourUsername

I just don't understand how anyone can put a house on the market with all that tatty paintwork, cracks in the walls, a garden that's unloved, dated kitchen, etc etc and expect a good price.

You put it on priced as needing updating and a lot of people will go for it as they can do it to their own taste and over time, and end up with a lot more for their money.

Yes, I think it's important for OP to realise that she's on a ticking time-bomb. Whilst she may feel able to wait for someone to ay what's she's asking, as soon as those new builds start development that opportunity is gone.

Sell now OP if you actually want to move.

I think it’s clear op that the house has lacked maintenace over the years, and it would appear maybe it’s been lack of finances, it would be unusual for example for someone to replace their bathroom and leave the ceiling like that through choice.

The house has become a renovation project. The dining room and garden room are fine, the kitchen liveable, and the bathroom upstairs ok, although both done low cost. The rest is a full on renovation.

Usually this is either due to lack of money, or inability to manage home maintenance, and for either of those reasons, it’s best to think carefully about how much you can realistically do.

Any botched touch up jobs are going to look awful, and very visible against the rest of the room. Fresh paint against old is very visible and a huge red flag the owner is trying to cover up problems. Plus if you don’t know what you’re doing, it will look even worse.

So unless you’re suggesting to throw some serious cash at this, I’d hesitate to go the route of doing anything much.

I’d simply get a magic sponge, clean all your paint work. Have a professional in to deal with the living room ceiling, and get a professional in to clean the carpets. Power wash the outside. Give it a good clean everywhere, inc internal doors, the shower head etc.

Then sell it as in need of modernisation, accept mentally that the new build estate is happening and buyers will know that, and that will reduce the value, and price it accordingly. Likely in the region of 300, but willing to accept lower offers.

Or stay put and accept it’s got to such a level you can’t command what you need for it.

Houses always ultimately escalate in value, unless they are not maintained, they they depreciate in value. And by more than the renovations cost. Add in a massive change in surroundings, Ie moving from open fields to overlooked and boxed in by new builds and the value depreciates even further.

I do feel for you as I think you’re in a very difficult position. It looks like you’re trying to scarper before the new build estate starts, and literally before the ceilings start to cave in.

Hi all, unfortunately I've logged back in under another name so I'm going to have to ask MN to take the thread down now. Thanks for all your great advice and suggestions, it's been absolutely invaluable. I'll post an update at some point if anyone is interested.

I've just done the video tour and a couple of things spring to mind.

Get rid of the green carpet. It's fugly!

Mow the lawn and tidy up the garden (get rid of the empty pots etc)

Get rid of the drone photos they don't do you any favours.

It looks like a rental. Paint the rooms and consider new interior doors.

@StopSearching They can just change the name on those posts, don’t worry

@StopSearching

Hi all, unfortunately I've logged back in under another name so I'm going to have to ask MN to take the thread down now. Thanks for all your great advice and suggestions, it's been absolutely invaluable. I'll post an update at some point if anyone is interested.

They've fixed it for you. No need to get the thread deleted.

[quote SendMeHome]@StopSearching They can just change the name on those posts, don’t worry [/quote]
Thanks for that, I didn't realise they could do that. I asked them to delete which they did and then asked them to reinstate with name change as there is so much good advice on this thread. Thanks MN

I’d love an update OP, I’m invested now

@StopSearching

Hi all, unfortunately I've logged back in under another name so I'm going to have to ask MN to take the thread down now. Thanks for all your great advice and suggestions, it's been absolutely invaluable. I'll post an update at some point if anyone is interested.

Yes it will be interesting to hear when you realise you do need to reduce the price.

@Handsoffstrikesagain

OP I appreciate you have a lot of questions to answer but can I ask why you think it isn’t selling?

Probably for all the reason mentioned on this thread. Also the estate agents have clearly done a terrible job valuing and marketing it. The only feedback they've ever given us is that the market is barely moving.

It looks a bit soulless and I'd say it needs a bit of updating. I'd want to change the built in wardrobes, and knock through the kitchen and dining room. I'd even consider redesigning around the utility as well. It's a very small kitchen at the moment.
Not keen on the exclamation marks in the description either.

I don't think the 4th bedroom is a problem in legal terms. We bought it as a 4 bed and got a mortgage, etc. But I do think it will put people off being so small so we'll probably re-market as a 3 bed and let the extra room be a pleasant surprise.

@Handsoffstrikesagain

I was under the impression that those minimum bedroom sizes only applied to rentals and HMOs to avoid overcrowding. I think it was changed in 2018. There is of course a difference between legal requirements and what is advised.

Legalities aside, if the room isn't even big enough for a standard single bed, marketing it as a bedroom is just dodgy imo.

@StopSearching

I don't think the 4th bedroom is a problem in legal terms. We bought it as a 4 bed and got a mortgage, etc. But I do think it will put people off being so small so we'll probably re-market as a 3 bed and let the extra room be a pleasant surprise.

I’d market as a 3 bed with a study/home office.

@Handsoffstrikesagain

sunflowers oh I wasn’t suggesting anything else, just clarifying the point on bedroom sizes and legal requirements. If I was staging the property I’d dress it as a nursery personally.

Gotcha!

Yes, I i think I would do similar, and advertise the house as a "three bed plus nursery" or "three bed plus study".

Plus I think any mortgage broker/surveyor would soon point out that it's not actually a bedroom if it can't fit a bed in it!