Why isn't my flat selling?

[mynamechange94]

I've name changed for this, for obvious reasons. It's been on the market since June, we sold it at one point for £440k but the buyer pulled out. We're out of exclusivity with our agent next month so trying to work out if it's worth doing anything different with the flat before we move agents. What do you think?

Here's the listing...

I know that development a little and I’ve always liked the flats in it.

It’s not my area of SE London, but it doesn’t seem overpriced compared to what I’m used to.

If I was being super picky - the kitchen looks a little dark, and the living room looks quite crowded with the big sofa.

But I suspect it’s just the market - I know a few people trying to sell London flats at the moment and it’s taking an age because there aren’t a tonne of buyers.

Not a property expert by any means but in general, I’m pretty sure any property will sell for the right price so if there’s no movement it most likely means the price needs to come down.

I can’t see any obvious clangers in the photos. The only thing I thought was that photo #6 makes the living room look very cramped with almost no space at all to move around. It looks much bigger in the earlier photo. Maybe you could redo that one?

I think it could be dressed better & the photographs are naff

light airy apartment with lots of space

The first picture is a bit uninspiring - I’d choose one of the building exterior or the one of the kitchen table and window which is nice. I find it off putting not to have lease details + service cost etc on the listing as looking at the development I suspect it’s high!

Pictures 6 & 7 make your flat look cramped. There is another picture of the kitchen so picture 7 is not needed.

Also agree your first photo could be much better to draw people in. Half of it is a lamp and blank wall and it’s taken from a strange angle. Something like photo #3 would be a better opener.

At that price I'd expect a more luxurious bathroom.

Have the lease and ground rent details included. If there are similar things on the market, I don't want to be ringing up the estate agent for basic details they could have listed.

Last thought from me! If you redo the photos then make the beds a bit better. Not usually one for lots of throws and cushions on beds but in photos they make a big difference. Maybe even iron the duvet covers. I’d never do that in real life but in photos it will look so much better. The crumpled sheets and flat pillows give a bit of a ‘student digs’ vibe which doesn’t do your lovely flat justice.

It looks a bit basic - no touches of luxury or comfort.

But very nice and clean. You could dress it better quite easily which would make it feel more appealing. It feels a bit unloved.

This!

I wouldn't look at a flat without knowing the lease, ground rent and service charges up front. They need to be on the rightmove listing.

Not sure about price, as it’s not my area. But I would say the blocks of bright paint aren’t nice, and the pink bathroom is an awful colour.

The kitchen and bathroom look like they have really cheap fittings (no mixer tap in a bathroom is mad). The kitchen sink and tap are cheap, functional and uninspiring. It’s hard to tell in the photo, but the counter top looks like laminate?

The end sofa cushions looks messy! Shouldn't matter but my attention was immediately drawn to that.

The living room photo looks really cramped. And all the beds/bedding give off a student vibe.

I’d dress it to be a bit more homely, as it looks like an unloved rental currently. Not warm and appealing

Thanks everyone. There are certain things we can't change - we won't put a new kitchen/bathroom in for example, and there is no getting away from the fact that the kitchen is quite small, and quite dark.

A few people have mentioned it could be dressed better - any suggestions? I'm just not good at that sort of thing. Noted re asking the agent to include the service charge etc, and ironing the sheets before the next photos, both good suggestions!

Your furniture is massive and dominates the rooms (even that fridge is too big for the space), your bathroom looks cheap, the rooms need brightening up and there’s no private outdoor space (which since lockdown is a must).

Change that first photo to something that shows the windows / view. It's a very odd choice to put as the first one people see - not a great sales pitch.

The sheer amount of Kallax units screams no storage.

I think flats are taking a while to shit in London? But crossrsil should be positive for you.

the only thing I might do is repaint the bathroom and try and make thst look a bit nicer

apsrt from thst it’s a lovely flat clean and nicely presented - it is what it is 🤷‍♀️

i would also put service charges in as I would assume they’d be expensive unless told

It’s overpriced and one of your bedrooms doesn’t have an outside window

Honestly I think dressing is overrated - people will care about space, layout and that it’s not filthy

This is what I thought too!

Re. ironing sheets- just mix up fabric conditioner with water, put it in a spray bottle, shake and spray over the made up bed. Once you pull the and straighten the duvet material the creases smooth out. Repeat before each viewing and you’ll look like someone who has time to iron bedding 😁

Agree that photo 6 makes your living room seem exceptionally small.
Its absolute madness but I keep seeing radiators in all your photos, and when I notice them, I notice that they’re old single radiators. Maybe some covers? I think it adds to a sense of student digs (sorry), lack of luxury.
I agree with PP about spending some time dressing it to look bit more luxurious.

The photos aren't inspiring.
Tbh the location shots aren't inspiring either.