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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to wonder why nobody wants to buy our flat?

300 replies

pimsandlemonade · 30/04/2015 11:26

or to even see it?
We are trying to sell our 2 bed flat in London zone 2.
We have already found a lovely house we like (out of London) and our offer is not officially accepted until we get an offer on ours.

When we listed the flat the estate agents made it seem like it will be superfast considering a fairly central location, very good condition of the flat, lovely views etc.
Before the listing was up on Rightmove we had 2 viewings booked - 1 was a rental investor, made a very low offer which we won't accept. The other one cancelled the viewing and now, nearly 2 weeks later we have not had anyone to even see it!
I just don't get it!
We have already dropped the price a bit as we thought maybe the initial asking price was too much (again, the initial price was recommended by the estate agent, I suppose to get up to choose them), but still nothing.
The estate agents are saying that because of the election everything has slowed down and they expect it will get better next week...
I'm struggling to believe anything they say at this point.

Any advice, comments?

OP posts:
Jackiebrambles · 30/04/2015 11:53

You definitely need a bathroom AND second bedroom pic. THat's shit of the agent. I am always suspicious if a photo is not included (ie that it's got no window, is vile).

Your bed looks absolutely massive in that photo! Is it a super king?

antimatter · 30/04/2015 11:54

More photos, some properties have up to 20!

Worriedaboutrelative · 30/04/2015 11:55

The bedroom looks like a students room. You need better bedding.
The sofas are big and look squashed up.
Other than that just a pic of the bathroom is required.

AmandaTanen · 30/04/2015 11:55

Those pictures are not good and the layout of the living room makes it really squashed, only one seat can see the TV and the sofas are in the way of each other.

The bed is too big for the room.

Need more pictures and a redesign on furniture layout.

Jackiebrambles · 30/04/2015 11:55

How much of a walk is it to the train/tube by the way?

Original poster
pimsandlemonade · 30/04/2015 11:56

Our bed is actually a custom size (slightly bigger than a emperor size) so yes, it's massive.
Do you think it's worth actually buying a new (double) bed and replacing for now??
It's extra cost but once we move we will need a bed for the guest room anyway (if we ever move that is).

Also where is says "store" in the floorplan it's actually another WC that we use as storage as there is a WC in the main bathroom.

OP posts:
TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 30/04/2015 11:58

Insist on better photos. I wouldn't bother to view a flat unless I'd seen all the rooms and garden if there is one on the website. Assuming your target market is a young working couple then they wont have time to do viewings they aren't fairly sure about.
Get it sorted today and you will almost certainly have weekend viewings though a lot of people leave London for the BH weekend if they are young free and single.

Is there a board outside the flat? If not, I'd get one put up after 2 weeks.

Or give us a link to the flat and you'll get a 100 objective viewpoints on whether its presented well and what your local competition is from the Property Porn aficionado's here Grin [I include myself in that btw]

3 houses have sold on my road in the past 3 weeks they are all between £700k-£1.5. I don't think it's the election - people will want to keep viewing at least but not necessarily make an offer until they know where they stand? There's a lot of variation on personal taxation between the parties at the moment.

NorahDentressangle · 30/04/2015 11:58

Surely if Labour, or someone else eg coalition, get in there could be changes to buy to let mortgages, or some limits or changes to landlordship?
That could be disastrous for the London property market.

People are just biding their time - not long to the election now.

SaucyJack · 30/04/2015 11:58

Yes, add a pic of the bathroom.

My honest opinion (speaking as someone who isn't looking to spend 500k on a two-bed in London) is that it's nothing special. The rooms look quite small, and there doesn't seem to be much of a "selling point".

The view is pretty tho. Maybe add a photo of the balcony? The lounge window looks quite funky too, so maybe add a feature pic of that?

I freely admit I don't know what I'm talking about tho Grin

WipsGlitter · 30/04/2015 11:58

You need better photos... why are there no pictures of the bathroom? You need to try and re-position the sofas so one isn't butting onto the other one. How do people see the TV from the current positions? Is there a dining table - where do you eat? Remove the kids stuff from the sitting room. The pendant light in the kitchen looks like you would bump your head off it, because of the angle of the photo. Are those boxes stacked up in the bedroom? Need to see the second bedroom as well. Need a picture of the view from the balcony.

OMG just saw the price!!!

Original poster
pimsandlemonade · 30/04/2015 11:58

I also hate how the sofas look. It's the least nice corner and they managed to put TWO photos of these in as if to emphasize the bloody brown leather sofas that I can't wait to get rid of!

OP posts:
Kvetch15 · 30/04/2015 12:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LaurieFairyCake · 30/04/2015 12:00

I think the dozens of shoe boxes in the bedroom might make it look like you have no wardrobe storage.

BaronessEllaSaturday · 30/04/2015 12:02

Get the Kitchen photo redone but ensure that the white power cable isn't visible when you do, it implies there are not enough plug sockets for the worktop which would seriously put me off. See about getting a smaller double bed in that bedroom shot, I do appreciate it is a very big bed but it does make the room look cramped.

People will be waiting to see what happens, if the mansion tax comes in it could devalue property at the top which may have a knock on effect on lower prices too so it is worth people playing a wait and see game at the moment.

TerryTheGreenHorse · 30/04/2015 12:02

The photos are rubbish, they've made the bed look huge because they've done that stretchy leany thing.

And too many of the sofas.

By heck London is expensive.

Original poster
pimsandlemonade · 30/04/2015 12:02

I don't know why no photos of the bathroom!! I;m getting pissed off now at that!
The photographer said that it was hard to get a good angle without showing himself in the mirror (yes there is a large mirror) but surely it's not impossible.
The main "selling point" I think is the view, pic 6 is the view (well part of it) from the living room, but from the inside photos I guess that's not even clear is it?

OP posts:
LaurieFairyCake · 30/04/2015 12:03

There are two others in the block for sale at 440k and 475k

kirinm · 30/04/2015 12:03

My landlord put her ground floor (with a large garden) zone 2, 5 min walk to 2 tube station flat on the market in january. She had only a handful of viewings and dropped the price. Got nowhere and after us having to move out is now letting it again. Prices are high and I'd imagine your flat is only suitable for first time buyers so your potential buyers are limited. I do think the election will have something to do with it and a worry about a hike in interest rates.

Ellypoo · 30/04/2015 12:04

Definitely need photos of every room - v important. A layout will be really helpful too.

Absolutely need to put that there is a lift as well.

They are all really simple things, but will make a massive difference to people looking.

TravelinColour · 30/04/2015 12:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TarkaTheOtter · 30/04/2015 12:06

I think the bed being so big makes it look like camera trickery to make the room look bigger than it is. I thought it was just a ridiculously wide angle before you commented that it is actually massive.

Kvetch15 · 30/04/2015 12:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JemFinch · 30/04/2015 12:06

Over supply? Are there lots on the market in the area, at perhaps a cheaper price.

I think the election probably has a lot to do with it. There are plenty of people who would want a flat there for the canary wharf commute.

Def need a pic of the bathroom.

Undeuxtwatcinq · 30/04/2015 12:06

I don't live in London, so this might not be the best point. But there are loads of 2 bed flats for sale in a close radius that are cheaper than yours, so the "Offers in excess of" could be extremely off putting as it suggest that you aren't open to negotiation.

If the floorplan is slightly wrong, get it fixed as I find them very important in house hunting. We dislike the photos agent took of our house so took our own and told them to use those. They wanted the commission so they did so. I also would move the shoe boxes, or at least make sure they are all symmetrically lined up. Bathroom photo, very important.

Good luck

Worriedaboutrelative · 30/04/2015 12:07

You need to clear out the wc and stop using it as storage. It will make people think the flat has no proper storage and people paying that price expect a second toilet.