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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:
ThinkIveBeenHacked · 30/04/2015 14:09

Get rid of one sofa and have an arm chair instead. Jig the layput round.

Buy a normal sized bed and put your superhugemongous bed and the other sofa into storage.

Table and chairs somewhere.

Pack away nearly everything into storage.

Tbh it seems to me like you are banking on a buoyant market to sell the flat and so havent done anything proactive with it.

bbcessex · 30/04/2015 14:13

Nakedbaby.. I really laughed at the thought of your DC's only playing with 'photogenic' toys... very true!!!!!

RandomMess · 30/04/2015 14:13

Everything that has already been said, cannot believe there are only 7 photos on the listing!!!!

MsRinky · 30/04/2015 14:28

Wow. I think you should have accepted the £450k offer.

CallMeNancy · 30/04/2015 14:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bayrans · 30/04/2015 14:30

I agree, dreadful photos. Get them redone asap.
We sold our zone 1, 1 bed last year and despite paying extortionate fees I must admit that the photos were so good I didn't recognise my own flat!
With regards to the underground parking, do you have an actual space or is it just available to rent? That could also make a difference and needs to be emphasised. We rented our space and the fact that it didn't come with an allotted space put a few buyers off. Have hope though, like I said, we put ours up for sale last year, just before the peak hit. We were told there would be bidding wars and all sorts. It took 4 months to sell..... And drop the price by 10k and accept 10 below that.

Viviennemary · 30/04/2015 14:32

There's nothing wrong with the flat except the few minor details that people have pointed out. The views are great. I'm not too keen on this offers in excess of. What does that mean exactly. 50P more or tens of thousands more. I know that's the norm in Scotland but it isn't really in other parts of the UK. I think offers around is a bit better though it would seem to invite lower offers. People might take it to mean that you wouldn't accept £5K or £10K less.

I agree about the election. People might be waiting for something like reduction in stamp duty or help with deposits and so on. Have prices risen dramatically in this area over the last five years. If they have maybe there is a bit of a slow down.

MrsMcColl · 30/04/2015 14:34

Prices have been rising steadily in SE London for the last few years. Certainly in my area, and probably Rotherhithe too.

Jackiebrambles · 30/04/2015 14:38

When we sold our 3 bed flat (zone 3) we removed the baby gates and literally moved stuff into other rooms (like the high chair) and an arm chair and boxes of toys just whilst the photos were taken.

The estate agent photographer asked us to. So there was lots of moving stuff around during the photo session to make the space look, well, spacious!

We even put stuff in the loft to get it out the way. I think you have to maximise the photos.

Ours sold for £475k; (£25k over the asking price). It went on the market on the thursday and we had 20 viewings set up for the 'open day' on the saturday and got three over asking price offers on the monday. Admittedly, that was 2013 and at the peak of London flat price insanity, its definitely calmed down since then.

The agent really hasn't given a shit about these photos - definitely get them re-taken.

Original poster
pimsandlemonade · 30/04/2015 14:55

Jackiebrambles That's what i was expecting - the photographer to ask me to move things around etc - he did none of that, just a few angles and he was done in less than 5min!!
BabsUnited it's an Orla Kiely one.

Thanks to everyone again, I have really taken your comments aboard.
I have contacted our EA regarding the changes (things to add to the description) and that we want to do our own photos and have more of them (they will confirm if that’s ok).
We will discuss the price with DH tonight as it’s not an easy decision…
Also have looked at buying a new bed that we will need in a new house anyway.
We do have a storage space already, but might need a bigger one now for the bed and the sofa to fit in.
Will also think about a small table for the bay window area with chairs – a trip to Ikea is probably needed (which I secretly enjoySmile).

OP posts:
ThinkIveBeenHacked · 30/04/2015 14:58

Definetly get a nice shot of that bay area with a seat, lamp, little table etc.

nettlewine · 30/04/2015 15:10

Wow will people really pay that much for routherhite? I lived there for a bit, but moved when the east London line closed down. Then you could buy a two bed townhouse right on the river for about 250-280.

I'd be pretty upset if on an income of over 100k all I could get is a pretty normal flat in an area with nothing happening and nothing to do locally (apart from the wildlife park).

MrsMcColl · 30/04/2015 15:14

The east London line - aka Overground - has opened up Rotherhithe to the rest of the world! It is pretty desirable, I'd say, especially if you are right on the river.

BubGal13 · 30/04/2015 15:43

Id also say ask estate agent to start the images with a different image as the 1st, from the outside this block of flats looks pretty cold/unappealing..while interior is much much nicer than you'd imagine, if Id just seen the exterior I wouldn't have bothered to keep looking, so sue another pic- the lounge area- to draw people in

TremoloGreen · 30/04/2015 15:43

I'm shocked by the photos the EA has provided - if you need to take your own, I'd be renegotiating any fees you paid for them.

If you're in a big block like that, do you have a residents email group or FB group? One of your neighbours might lend you a nice table and chairs for the photos?

MrsMcColl · 30/04/2015 15:45

Or a pic of the river view from the balcony would be a good one to start with.

nettlewine · 30/04/2015 15:52

Well its a bit quicker to get to peckham and clapham, can't see how its really opened it up and made it that desirable. Most people only get to Canada water and change, that's stayed the same.

There was nothing to do when I lived there 6-7 years ago. Was so much happier living anywhere else.

JessieMcJessie · 30/04/2015 16:14

It looks like the sofas are pushed back for a party or something-is that actually the configuration you use for everyday living? Also a rug on the living room floor would make it look cosier. Good luck!

Kvetch15 · 30/04/2015 16:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
pimsandlemonade · 30/04/2015 16:22

nettlewine
I think it really depends what you are looking for.
We have lived here 10 years now and really like it (only moving because about to have DC2 and need more space, which we can't afford here).

I find it easiest to get a bus (but stop is less than 2min) to Canada Water for commuting as Jubilee Line is quite fast to central London.
But while i was on maternity with DS1 i really enjoyed exploring the area - lots of great walks along Thames Path and taking the boat for Canary Wharf - loads of shopping and restaurants there - and along the river.
There are a couple of nice pubs on our side of the river too and at Canada Water there is a bit of new development with yoga studio and kids classes, new library and cafes etc.
Not a lot perhaps, but for us it has been perfect.
And it really is peaceful where we are - quieter actually than the countryside house we are hoping to move to.

OP posts:
MrsMcColl · 30/04/2015 16:25

I like Rotherhithe pubs, pims. Salt Quay and the Mayflower.

FrenchJunebug · 30/04/2015 16:30

Could be because it's a 'high rise' and mortgage are harder to get for them as people are worried about hidden cost (such as if the roof needs redoing are all flat owners due to pitch in) etc. However it looks lovely.

BatonRouge · 30/04/2015 16:38

Op this may of been raised up thread - the floor plans don't appear to show the gross internal floor area of the entire flat. This is always the first thing I check when viewing properties.

Zucker · 30/04/2015 16:39

I'd get rid of the In excess of because you're cutting out a whole lot of people who may make the asking price but will think they have to actually pay another 15k or so to secure the place. I think the price is fine to stick with for another bit, 2 weeks isn't very long at all.

Agree about the photos doing your home no justice at all, 2/3 photos of the outside (out of 7) makes me think you're hiding something!

Good luck and bravo for putting your home up for scrutiny on here Grin

SelfconfessedSpoonyFucker · 30/04/2015 16:43

What everyone else said. I'd take half of the pictures off your walls too (e.g. all the ones opposite the TV and the ones in the kitchen) and put away almost everything in your kitchen so there is only two things showing.. e.g. the copper spoons behind the cooktop and the toaster. Take the vac off the wall before taking the photo. I'd get a light coloured blanket in pale blue to throw over the sofa you keep to lighten it up and I'd remove the lights above the TV. Is the armchair you have dark too? I'd also replace the cushions for slightly larger bolder ones. They don't match the blue in the pictures above and don't seem to match each other. Maybe put a side table in the corner when you switch out the sofa for a chair and put a blue lamp on it e.g. www.next.co.uk/g4d680s4 (not my favourite style but is the right colour blue)

I'd take the toys out of the living room (if only to take pictures) and make something of the big window there, either a nice round table and a few chairs or a comfy armchair and light and table with a book on it. Something to make someone think "Oh I'd love to sit there and look out at the river" or "Wouldn't it be lovely to eat breakfast and watch the ducks go by".

It looks like there is a big piece of furniture blocking the entrance to the hallway. It makes the door look cramped.

If you are going to buy a double bed anyway then I agree, it would probably show off your bedroom better. One with a nice headboard would be good. Whatever is opposite the bed needs to be neat and tidy. Maybe a long chest of drawers.

I wouldn't put the picture of the outside of the building as the first picture.

Good luck!