Why isn't my flat selling?

[ratemyflatplease]

Not really an AIBU sorry.

I'm selling my flat at the moment and not getting much interest. I know that ultimately it'll come down to price. But that aside, is there anything in the description or photos that would put you off?

It's in SE London. 3 fair size bedrooms, one tiny box which is only big enough for a single but perfect as an office (which is how I currently have it).

Top floor, so no chance of outside space, which I think lots of people are looking for. Lease has been extended.

Taking a deep breath and posting Rightmove link: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/139866227#/?channel=RES_BUY

At the moment the living room is organised so that only two people can watch TV. But you've got easy chairs elsewhere eg in the bedroom. Is there any chance you could use at least one of those in the living room without it being completely cramped (would need the sideboard to be moved of course). This would also make the master bedroom look even more spacious. I don't think the order of the pictures helps.

I would put the telly on the wall and get rid of the glass table. Might help to make the living room look a little wider.
Clear the surfaces of all personal items. Tidy the office so there is nothing on the desk.
I really like your flat but it just needs some adjustments. We recently sold and the professional photographer was worth every penny as he was very strict with us about personal items. I would have bought my house!

@ratemyflatplease

I am not sure if anyone has mentioned this but is it 4 floors?

If so that could be your problem

The odd layouts and weird sized rooms in conversions is why we went for a purpose built flat in the end - yes there are issues with higher maintainece charges but you get much better lay out, storage and bigger rooms as it is purpose designed. Especially in mid century blocks. And there are loads of those in that area of London.

I don’t think there is much market for a 3-4 bedroom flat without outside space. Flats are primarily for single people or starter properties for couples, and they will be opting for 1-2 bedrooms and not necessarily be bothered about outside space. People looking at 3-4 bedrooms are more likely to be families who will more likely have a requirement for outside space.

It doesn’t mean it won’t sell at that price, but your pool of buyers is quite a bit smaller.

Wow those books! Love love them… that would sell it for me 🤣

Could you use the sofa or that wooden unit in the living room to break the room up into two sections and maybe change the TV table or get it wall mounted?

Also, it would look better with the table gone and replaced with a fold down side table, I think.

Every other room is pretty sizeable for a flat, I think - it's just the living room that would put me off.

Hope you get a buyer soon.

Agree! That makes the bedroom

Maybe some more books in the living room would help?

I like it but wouldn't be interested because of the imbalance between living and sleeping space. The bedrooms are good sizes but the sitting room and kitchen are really narrow and not at all flexible for furniture/use. Not much you can do about it. Seems like a good price to me.

Can’t believe the price,you can get a 4 bed detached with garage and gardens in Liverpool for that🙈

Could you present it as a two bedroom with the living room just turned into a lovely dining room and the largest bedroom into a living room? It feels extraordinarily small to be a “4” bedroom house — the living room is far too small for the number of bedrooms.

Generally though the price feels great for the area so mostly the market, I suspect.

For me it seems very clinical and every photo looks the same. I was actually bored looking through the pics

Could it be the service charge and/or lease? That service charge is really high, what does the money go towards? It doesn’t look like you have any communal gardens or anything. That alone would stop me from buying.

I personally think your flat looks lovely though, doesn’t really need any work and a great price for 3 bedrooms!

I agree with others on it being a little crowded, could you put a few pieces of furniture in storage? We live in a small 1 bed in SE London and when we come to sell next year we’ve already said we’ll put furniture in storage to make it seem bigger.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/138091193#/?channel=RES_BUY

This is a similar area and size, has its own garden, and on for £400k.

Definitely market as a 3 bed (or even a really spacious 2 bed), make the living room a dining room and the master bedroom the living room.

people who want a 4 bed property will find it too small, people who want a 2/3 bed will potentially be put off by the fact it says it’s a 4 bed

Also first photo is terrible

Exactly what I was going to suggest.

I agree with others on it being a little crowded, could you put a few pieces of furniture in storage? We live in a small 1 bed in SE London and when we come to sell next year we’ve already said we’ll put furniture in storage to make it seem bigger.

Do you really think that people are so stupid that they'll walk in, notice there's no dining table and not think 'There's no dining table because there's no room for one'. Or that they don't look round a property planning where to put their huge sofa and their mid-century teak sideboard etc.

Sofa under window. Wall mount TV couple of chairs to make it more square. Something with kitchen not sure what. Think professional couple wanting something aspirational you'll be selling to?

You could try a different estate agent. I know lots of different people who’ve sold through Ahm London & only have good things to say. https://www.ahmlondon.com/

I agree that for a family the shared spaces are really small compared to the bedrooms, and that it really is a three bedroom flat not a four. It is also hard to see where clothes are kept in each bedroom.
I agree with pps that swapping the large bedroom round with the sitting room would give a better feel but I see that is tricky given that they are on different floors. It would actually work far better as a two bedroom flat with more space, keeping the little office. A great flat for a couple, or a couple with a baby, less so for a larger or older family. Families are likely to be the people searching for “four bedroom flat”, so I think you are initially attracting the wrong people who are then put off by the cosy sitting room etc.
I also feel that there are too many bare walls which with recessed spotlights in the ceilings makes it look a bit cold and uninviting.
I am confused as to why the lower floor is so much smaller than the attic, has that floor been split with another flat ?
So, in your place I would market it as a three bed, and think about moving the rooms’ uses.
For some reason I always feel really annoyed when a house is marketed as a four bed but in fact the “fourth” bedroom is a tiny section carved off another room. It instantly puts me off as I feel slightly scammed. I much prefer houses marketed as three beds , where I can see the possible extra spaces.

That dining table is squashed in. Maybe rejig the furniture so that the TV and settee are nearer the window and the sideboard is on the wall next to the table.

In a narrow room furniture placement is key. I’d put sofa in front of window w 2 narrow side tables w lamps (draws the eyes up). A pouffe to make it into a corner chaise. A shallow wide open console table over the radiator (measure radiator to make sure it fits around). A big mirror over to reflect light and draw eyes up. Tv on the table plus vase of flowers. 2 prints on both walls of dining nook or mirror on wall opposite window. Try Etsy for open console tables. Dress smallest bedroom as a bed playroom eg miniature table and chairs from IKEA, etc. it’s a family sized flat kids need room to play. A tv and small sofa/snuggle chair in biggest bedroom for a second sitting area. Keep the study and market as 3/4 bedrooms.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1604433241/bloom-console-table-sappy-cherry-in?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=slim+console+table&ref=sc_gallery-1-12&pro=1&frs=1&plkey=5abf5b9a2ec8aeb4a0b3d0988c3c5d75e1a77f82%3A1604433241

have two of the bed rooms got the same covers on?
can you move the table out of the sitting room, for the photos at least

I agree with this, sadly. The Living Room and Kitchen are too small (for me) and we no longer have kids living at home! The sloping ceilings would not be something I would want either. I guess you will eventually get a buyer - someone who will appreciate the style of the actual house, but it won't appeal to lots of people looking for a 4 bed property

It needs to look more appealing as a home. Add some colour, some art on the walls, some curtains.

Bear in mind that few people have much imagination that’s why you need to sell a lifestyle. They need to see how they’d live there but as it is, it doesn’t look like a fun or cost life.

Good luck!