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Original poster

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
RUOKHon · 05/03/2021 14:27

Can you even fit a bed in the 4th bedroom?

I’m in the market for a 4 bed house at the moment and the size of that 4th bedroom, together with the small kitchen, would out you out of the running for me. If you marketed it as a 3 bed with office, then it would seem like more of a bonus IYSWIM? Or maybe even make it another bathroom?

It just seems a small house/garden for a family of five - which is your target market for a 4 bed.

cartwheelsteel · 05/03/2021 14:27

Those are really good suggestions from @Handsoffstrikesagain. I'd also put a shedload of flower pots around the front of the house for some colour - just coming into Spring so it could look lovely in a few weeks.

tonytiy · 05/03/2021 14:27

This sold in Dec for 283k in the same postcode. What's the location like compared

www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/detailMatching.html?prop=84597535&sale=92053953&country=england

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Property
StanfordPines · 05/03/2021 14:28

@optimisticpessimist01

A house is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it, not whether you think its good value or not.
This. You might think it’s good value but if it was it would sell.
dotdashdashdash · 05/03/2021 14:28

[quote Bluntness100]That house isn’t really similar Op. it’s a notch up,

This one is more similar, but the price is the same. But just recently added.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/78097203#/[/quote]
If I had the choice between that one and the OPs I'd choose that one. Because the downstairs "bedroom" could be used as extra living space/ playroom etc. and the kitchen diner is much more family friendly.

I have to say OP, yours has the downstairs of a small 3 bed.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 05/03/2021 14:28

I didnt notice the downstairs loo on the floor plan. You dont have any pictures of any loos/bathrooms.

Original poster
StopSearching · 05/03/2021 14:28

[quote Bluntness100]That house isn’t really similar Op. it’s a notch up,

This one is more similar, but the price is the same. But just recently added.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/78097203#/[/quote]
That one has been on the market as long as ours I think. Originally it was with another agent and about 50k more.

OP posts:
Winewednesday · 05/03/2021 14:29

Hi OP, I think if I was that area I would consider it. I think the photo's don't do justice and are more focused on the field behind the property rather then what's actually inside for example a picture of the en suite, I would expect to see. I think price wise it is probably there or there abouts but if you can afford a 10k hit then I would reduce

Original poster
StopSearching · 05/03/2021 14:29

I do appreciate all these comments, I'm working my way through them, thanks.

OP posts:
rawalpindithelabrador · 05/03/2021 14:29

That kitchen is too small. No downstairs loo. Is there only one loo? I wouldn't touch a 4 bed house with only one loo. That field behind, I wouldn't buy a house with that, either.

So it's over-priced for what it is if you haven't been able to sell it in 2 years.

Thinkle · 05/03/2021 14:29

I’ve been in your situation. 100% It can be the agent that is part of the problem, some just work harder and market properties better. If you haven’t had a viewing with the new agent tell them they aren’t meeting the contract and tell (don’t ask as such, be assertive) that you want to leave. Find an agent that sets its office up in a way where individual agents are incentivised to sell rather than the office as a whole incentivised to sell (literally ask them about their commission arrangements). Make sure your agent has equivalent stock to your house. I made the mistake of trying to sell with an agent that was too high end and they clearly put their efforts into £2m houses first.

Agree with other comments about the photos too. I know you can’t control the weather but a sunnier day or time would make all the difference. It’s been said a million times before but you are selling a lifestyle and yours looks rather tame. Better than the ones that look like Instagram has thrown up in them but some colour softness is missing. I hope that’s not too harsh.

Dayafterday · 05/03/2021 14:30

I think it looks lovely. It is a bit plain but that wouldn’t bother me if I was in the market for that size property.

I agree that agents are not letting people view unless they are actually sold (not even just on the market) so that would affect viewings at the moment. The pool of people eligible to view/move at the moment must be very small.

tonytiy · 05/03/2021 14:30

You can also buy new homes like this in the area so they might be competing for your buyers?

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/102122900#/

DontTouchMyHairISwear · 05/03/2021 14:31

It's detached but so close to next door that it looks like a semi. The kitchen is tiny and the living room is very small for a 4bed. It's all boxy downstairs. The smallest bedroom doesn't look like it would fit a bed in it, so I would say its really a 3bd, and the master looks like a slightly dodgy attic conversion. Everything is dated and it would need a huge amount of work doing to it.

starfishmummy · 05/03/2021 14:31

Its not hideous. I wouldn't want 3 floors though and kitchen is a bit small as is the garden. A bit dated internally compared to the other one linked

But I'd worry about the field. Potential future building on it, but also what they grow on it now- you mention rape which is a huge trigger for my hayfever so that would make it a no for me.

Cant comment on price as I don't know the area.

Disfordarkchocolate · 05/03/2021 14:31

Well, others were right about the photos. Had the estate agent just got a drone and wanted to play?

I think the decor lacks warmth and the outside needs much more curb appeal.

RandomUser18282 · 05/03/2021 14:31

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

MrsPaddyGrant · 05/03/2021 14:32

I think there are too many photos of the fields/ aeriel shots - it would be better to have more of the interior. I also think the front need to be more attractive and inviting by putting some plant pots etc out.

I appreciate there isn't anything you can do re the location but as people have mentioned the open field may be putting people off as it could be sold for development.

IamEarthymama · 05/03/2021 14:32

OP It’s a nice house but the front looks really unloved.

Get some pots and some small Shrubs to brighten it.
I know that you don’t want to spend much money but you can take the pots with you to your new home.

Good luck 💐

Bluntness100 · 05/03/2021 14:33

Yeah it’s the price, looking at what tony and oneapenny posted. And the one I posted also languishing on the market like yours.

What was it on for originally?

Onjnmoeiejducwoapy · 05/03/2021 14:33

Looking at the competition that both you and others have posted, sorry but you’re just not in the same price bracket. The others have good family kitchens, a sense of space and light, fully mordernised and more charm. I think you’re going to have to pitch this a good lot lower. You’re not a 4 bed, you’re a 2 bed plus box room and attic conversion. As others have said, it is ground floor of a 2 bed.

Weepingwillow22 · 05/03/2021 14:33

Checked the local plan, the fields behind the house (orange on the map) are allocated for employment and residential development (SHER 6 in section 31 of the local plan). I think the house needs to be priced cheaper than those linked to to take this into account.

We used to live in a similar situation and bought and sold our house for 10 to 20 percent below others which we not adjacent to the fields. We moved before the development started, the planning took 10 years and the development 5 plus years to build and is still being built. It is the uncertainty and disruption that is the real issue. Once the houses are there the price will probably go up again.

Why won't my house sell
StanfordPines · 05/03/2021 14:34

I know the town very well.

The problem is that when people want to move there they don’t want a house like that. People move to Sherborne for a lovely ham stone house, not a modern one. If I remember rightly you have to drive through an older estate off Horsecastles to get there. It’s not what anyone who is moving to Sherborne because it’s Sherborne wants.

I too wouldn’t entertain it as even though that field is a working farm my thoughts would be that it would get built on at some point.

FleetwoodRaincoat · 05/03/2021 14:34

If I were looking at this to buy, I'd be put off by:

Small kitchen
Small garden
The outside looks very dull and uninspiring
The fields, although lovely, could be developed
It looks a bit squeezed in amongst other houses

I think people might be looking at it thinking they'd need to either extend (which there isn't really enough room for) or knock down internal walls.

Maybe if you find out what it would cost to redo the kitchen, then maybe reduce your price by that much it might help?

FleetwoodRaincoat · 05/03/2021 14:34

Should probably add that I have a small kitchen too, which is why I'd be looking for something bigger!