Help me sell my house

[StopSearching]

I've made a new thread so that I can post updates for those that are interested.

Previous thread here

Brief outline is my house needs improvement and re-marketing so I've been asking for advice and going to start implementing it.

Our previous house was awful diy job from previous owner plus wear and tear on the top of that. We didn't do anything and priced accordingly. No problems to sell.

I would just sell as it is and reduce price.

@StopSearching

I appreciate all your views, thank you. They are all valid points and we are considering all of our options.

@Mummyoflittledragon I love all your suggestions, they are giving me lots of ideas, not just for this house for also for whatever we buy. Thank you for taking the time and for sharing your inspiring thoughts

OP have you thought about what price you're going to relist the house at?

Oh blimey, I missed that there's going to be hundreds of new homes in that adjoining field

You can buy all the fake flowers and curtains you like, OP, but your house is only worth what someone will pay for it.

I feel I am being massively pedantic here but can you really afford to only show to buyers under offer? is that your decision or the ea's? if the ea then ask about extending to those who they judge to be just about to go under offer, as restrictions lift. After all, a chain's got to start somewhere op.
At least you'll get some honest feedback from those who have seen it irl. word of mouth will spread and you will have a nibble or 2 which becomes a bite, you'll see!
That's how we sold our house after about 10 months and 2 price drops, someone not under offer really liked it and moved heaven and earth to make it happen.
I was always available for viewings at short notice, I really worked hard to sell the house.
some of this thread has become like Changing Rooms but i think a more strategic approach is needed as well as plants and paint.
How healthy was the number of online viewings before this thread?

Regarding the detached point. I know that we're close to neighbours but the detached does add value in terms of no shared walls. We don't hear our neighbours unless we are all in our gardens. We don't hear their tv, or their babies crying or anything at all from next door.

So whilst I do appreciate that it's a small plot, there is still detached added value. We used to live in a Victorian terrace so I know what it's like with shared walls, even if they are very thick walls.

Good luck!

this thread is wild

I have to agree, my mind is officially blown by some of the suggestions 😂

“My house is in disrepair and I need to do it uo just enough to sell, what is the immediate priorities to achieve the objective”

Most people.. fill the cracks, repair the ceilings, give the worst rooms a lick of paint, and clean your carpets and walls, power wash outside. Drop the price due to the new housing and the competition.

Some posters,,..knock down some walls, put in new windows, buy a wood burning stove, buy all new furniture, decorate it throughout, buy all new carpets, put in a new bannister, replace your boiler, change all the lights, replace your kitchen and bathroom, hire a staging company and buy some shite from dunelm.

Honestly all I can think is these posters have so much money they have lost all common sense, that throwing thousands and thousands of pounds at it is to be recommended. I actually can’t get my head round why people are suggesting such shite.

*Regarding the detached point. I know that we're close to neighbours but the detached does add value in terms of no shared walls. We don't hear our neighbours unless we are all in our gardens. We don't hear their tv, or their babies crying or anything at all from next door.

So whilst I do appreciate that it's a small plot, there is still detached added value. We used to live in a Victorian terrace so I know what it's like with shared walls, even if they are very thick walls.*

OP I totally agree with this. It's on a small plot and will price accordingly and not like an detached which is 300m from either neighbour but I live in a terrace and even 10cm separation from the neighbours would be great. They are lovely people but I can hear it when they plug in an appliance or play music. I think they can hear my kids practicing the piano. I think if anyone feels that your house is 'not really detached' as it's close can't have actually lived in a terrace. You will attract a premium for being detached even if only a little detached.

Of course detached houses attract a ‘premium’ in the sense they will sell for more than if it were the exact same house but terraced/semi detached.

But there’s no real way of quantifying it, if that makes sense. The house will still sell for what it sells for.

I think too many people get hung up on working out their house’s value like a shopping list, but it just doesn’t work like that. People will walk round a house that ticks all the boxes but just not ‘feel’ it. I’ve walked around a lot of houses and just couldn’t imagine myself living there, it was almost like the house was telling me we weren’t a good match. Or am I nuts 😂😂

Op you’re completely correct there is value in it being detached. It’s not just about proximity of neighbours, it’s about shared walls, and not having any is a bonus, in terms of noise reduction. Anyone who has ever lived in a semi, a terrace or a flat, knows that,

People will walk round a house that ticks all the boxes but just not ‘feel’ it. I’ve walked around a lot of houses and just couldn’t imagine myself living there, it was almost like the house was telling me we weren’t a good match. Or am I nuts

Maybe a little, becayse others will walk round it and imagine themselves living there, otherwise we would all want to buy the same house.
A detached property costs more than a similar property which is not.

@Handsoffstrikesagain

OP I would not advise painting your walls a colour. It’s too personal. Neutral like a warm white everywhere is a much better option.

Yes. When we bought our house, the sellers had had the whole house painted in magnolia to sell. I fucking hate magnolia, but it meant I could see it as a blank canvas to put my mark on. If all the rooms had been purple or ‘feature walled’ I think I’d have balked at it.

@Bluntness100

People will walk round a house that ticks all the boxes but just not ‘feel’ it. I’ve walked around a lot of houses and just couldn’t imagine myself living there, it was almost like the house was telling me we weren’t a good match. Or am I nuts

Maybe a little, becayse others will walk round it and imagine themselves living there, otherwise we would all want to buy the same house.
A detached property costs more than a similar property which is not.

Yes that’s what I said 😂😂 although weirdly where I’m looking at the moment, the houses that fly off the shelves are the Victorian terraces (if in good condition and with garden). They’re selling for as much, if not more, than a similar size but more modern detached house in the same area.

Period properties generally always sell for more than new builds or old new builds.

@Bluntness100

People will walk round a house that ticks all the boxes but just not ‘feel’ it. I’ve walked around a lot of houses and just couldn’t imagine myself living there, it was almost like the house was telling me we weren’t a good match. Or am I nuts

Maybe a little, becayse others will walk round it and imagine themselves living there, otherwise we would all want to buy the same house.
A detached property costs more than a similar property which is not.

What I meant though is that selling a house is not formulaic, you can’t guarantee interest by ticking certain boxes. People just tend to click with certain houses and not others.

@Bluntness100

Period properties generally always sell for more than new builds or old new builds.

I think people prefer the layout & high ceilings compared to newer houses. Newer houses tend to have a box room in lieu of a bedroom, small kitchen, open plan living and diner etc

I’ve just spotted chair covers for your dining room chairs. Maybe these?? www.dunelm.com/product/isla-chair-cover-1000181242?colour=Light+Grey+Isla&defaultSkuId=30716257

Ok living room

Your brown sofas are very very tired looking. This is where I’d spend the money and buy a new sofa and chair. These days you don’t need a matching 3 piece suite so you could then buy another chair/ sofa. If the red sofa in the conservatory fits, I’d be tempted to bring it inside the living room. I don’t like it either btw. My first choice would be to Freecycle or skip the brown sofas, sell the red and taupe one and get some new sofas, which fit the size of the room. The taupe one isn’t too bad but it’s just so big.

Ok so please remove the brown ones and footstool. Plus all of your accessories and pictures and nest of tables. If you keep the red and the taupe, I’d get some decent covers on them. These look nice. Idk if they would fit, they come in chair / 2 / 3 seater. You may need a 2 seater size on your sofa chair as it is so big. You’ll have to measure... www.dunelm.com/product/isla-chair-cover-1000181242?colour=Light+Grey+Isla&defaultSkuId=30716257. The person, who does home staging can advise you better. But if not you could also go for this in light grey, may not be as nice... www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-2-3-4-Seater-Elastic-Stretch-Sofa-Covers-Slipcover-Protector-Settee-Sofa-Throw/193836278377?var=494073937067&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item2d218ae269:g:LqMAAOSwGJxf~~vF&amdata=enc%3AAQAFAAACgBaobrjLl8XobRIiIML1V4Imu%252Fn%252BzU5L90Z278x5ickkfKe2vUidqHRg3XM2X2xOVIVW5sd2yWliLwW%252FXcPK6trYMAgnMR80fGj%252FuwZBTWVhBxo5UC7zzstz1Tc3ypr%252Bai97S%252Bh3BBW01oj01el27kCkpzhIW4Gm20K8153u7bFtcidwUoei9%252FlewmW3Oox4FWXC0SSwzFj3FD9KJr7QiJyRAPY7M8xdw2G0KWGQ8dAtLp3mP9FcjfXUeakhM%252BR7SPJSGNgziF%252FVLTx%252FYyF5o3nZhd7UxDuY3EvD6JUsn8i1BZvGb7d1wrneyZmO3x%252Frhs%252FPpySlF8ZBhqXVDG5lKtMEF7PKsuhytIOukw4ooGpKDx7RwG0HPLIGbyxZHjCG0mPDRrJjch4oT1bCRZ6%252BKuiEJZvYv4to6Z9eEkxA%252FLbiUeUIE0Blf2Nbw4yfS7BH3AnNtcEvEG2gKIE%252FaBOIptnNXuB%252F10La1shvx4t89qrAS%252FbyVASLIv%252BRnJe5XJPcNCsQZv4sX19qMjhvGpYRy%252FJNLv2r3WubdGfT%252B0RUhJ4gWHzv886vpI7B1ekFLC7sz4ENurXhFRbmAYX6w07xmd8I%252F%252BLQ803kcGRMQmPF6%252FpU1acs1NgyGIVqqOg1Ry5feymlkRG3yvtLwJzOsxcrMoPq%252BiLqmqD19rby9u8Lgqmi7hAdfduVkruKVIxeAyNgnGzELRQg0EsePiuthk4V6hSTYGEgSzxWoYaK4BJDUm1jT6qYn7pIdlmVzrPcRqlbVtuLMvoE6Jp%252BgYBo1UfdtbLRxlSPOQIROBxYtoKuEUJ5WGV3Eu7o%252BfeVK9rFpkTOHfAJcNlNNytRFJip2p0edrw%253D%7Ccksum%3A19383627837702733a78d7ce45048a670ac35683b79e%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2334524

So now we have a very bland coloured room. It also goes ok with the dining room next door, which I’ve also kept neutral. Now I’d keep this room very neutral too. It may be that you prefer bright colours. But I would just keep them as pops of colour rather than bright if you do....

So mantel piece /above fireplace www.dunelm.com/product/misty-woods-foiled-boxed-canvas-1000167878?defaultSkuId=30686159
Candlesticks x 2 plus white candles www.dunelm.com/product/black-wire-17cm-candlestick-1000182433?defaultSkuId=30712855

Then mirror above sofa www.dunelm.com/product/roma-wall-mirror-113x-83cm-soft-grey-1000158143?defaultSkuId=30671126

Cushions
So 3 of these - I think they’re soft white www.dunelm.com/product/crushed-velour-snow-cushion-1000164593?defaultSkuId=30687201
These come as a pair so one pair - they are also white and a little smaller. www.dunelm.com/product/square-waffle-cushion-pair-ochre-1000166302?defaultSkuId=30682361
Then the colour - 2 of these. This comes in 2 sizes, a larger one if you prefer. Then one of these for the sofa chair. It’s a slightly different teal, I think just to add some depth. It may not work. It’s so hard from pictures. www2.next.co.uk/G5710013s11/694363#694363
www.dunelm.com/product/clara-cotton-velvet-cushion-1000115671?defaultSkuId=30663278

Curtains
www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/majgull-room-darkening-curtains-1-pair-light-grey-30346750/

Window sill - one of the sculptures I suggested for the dining room, and accessory in the photo or black wicker candle holder. My preference is black.

Coffee table. You could repurpose your box by the fireplace, put a blanket on there - dunelm do a white waffle one to match one of the cushions. Then put a tray on top with a couple of accessories - all from dunelm. But a coffee table would be more practical...l think I need to know the space size between the two sofas to get an idea and you risk it looking cramped.

So let’s instead go for a couple of side tables. You can put one to the side in front of sofa and one by the arm chair www2.next.co.uk/style/es585107/526273#526273 put a table lamp on the one by the chair. How about something funky? www.dunelm.com/product/apollo-integrated-led-chrome-table-lamp-1000158697?defaultSkuId=30671428 then for the table by the sofa - maybe put the smaller one by the lamp? www2.next.co.uk/style/ST444527/621079.

Corner, where brown sofa was. I’m thinking a nice floor lamp. This one would sort of match the table lamp www2.next.co.uk/G688053s4/783446#783446 but this one is stunning. . There are loads of lovely floor lamps at next. Have a look.

Then there’s your tv stand to think about maybe? You could do with something a little less bulky.

Look at these. Cheap as chips. I’d buy these too and find places. The hall for one... www.dunelm.com/product/metal-gold-starburst-mirror-1000164028?defaultSkuId=30685596 and....www.dunelm.com/product/grey-metal-deco-mirror-1000180742?defaultSkuId=30698412

Lastly the garden room but I’ll come back for that as it will be a bit of a multipurpose space...

@StopSearching please be wary of listening to the people who are acting like decorating your house is some sort of online game.

You’d be mad to spend a fortune on things that just won’t solve the fundamental issues.

I really wish people would stop suggesting that OP spends a small fortune on curtains, throws and cushions.

It's well-meaning but it won't solve the issues she's having with the house.

OP if I were you, I'd just drop the price, sell and move on. Spending money you may not get back when the house sells is silly.

X-post with @OhCaptain

£100 for lamp? Just to spice a corner up a little bit? That’s mad

@sunflowersandbuttercups

I really wish people would stop suggesting that OP spends a small fortune on curtains, throws and cushions.

It's well-meaning but it won't solve the issues she's having with the house.

OP if I were you, I'd just drop the price, sell and move on. Spending money you may not get back when the house sells is silly.

100% this. Especially as the OP has said she’s not bothered about ‘stuff’, so it won’t even be any benefit to her when she moves.

@Mummyoflittledragon

I think I disagree with your approach. For me she simoly needs to make the repairs and bring it up to standard. She should not be refurbishing like you’re suggesting, as she should do this in her new house.

I’d agree rhe sofas are in poor condition and suck the light out, but she can just give them to British heart foundation or offer them for free on Facebook and pick up a new one for next to nothing to do her till she moves. There is no point in buying loads of stuff from dunelm, and stretchy covers always look shite.

www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/227722275763483/?ref=search&referral_code=marketplace_search