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

Yeah, but you’d have to live in Liverpool! 😉😄

The problem is that the master bedroom is in the room that should be the sitting room. You should have a dining room on the same floor as the kitchen, the sitting room where the master bedroom is and the other rooms as bedrooms. that of course means that there are two tiny bedrooms.

It’s overpriced. If something isn’t selling it’s because it’s always overpriced for what it is. Don’t faff about with furniture just drop the price. The room proportions and layout are all wrong, you haven’t been bothered by it but many people would be which is why it hasn’t sold.

I never understand this kind of advice. The easy to change decor is irrelevant. Things that require major investment to swap like tile and cabinets do play some role in the decision process. Paint color is a minor inconvenience. A throw pillow or a curtain is meaningless because it won’t even be present at transfer,

This is always hard - but two types of people buy property: 1 - home owners 2 - investors. Homeowners at this price will want outside space and your lease payments are effectively £200 per month which is v high for a flat where the outside looks like it needs a touch up. At that price people may move further out for a small house - same space just different layout. 2 - Investors - for me as an investor outside needs to appeal and yours needs work - plus you need a larger lounge as with that many bedrooms - you would be looking at sharers. Being honest here.

it needs some colour and maybe (if you aren’t using it as one, turn one of the bedrooms into the dining room).
It hasn’t got a flow

Probably the same reason my landlord finds it hard to rent out the 3bed flat he has - people in 3-4 beds want outside space.

i would change the first picture, it’s not appealing.

Remove the dining table, place the unit over that side and pick up a second hand sofa - it looks like there’s just not enough space to envision more than two people using.

I would make the office a dining room, I moved to a 3 bed instead of 2 because they have dining rooms - I wanted an increase in living space compared to a 2 bed.

Its expensive! Potential buyers are not getting alot for their money when they could buy a whole detached house for that price in the commuter belt.

I think you need to bill it as a two bedroom - anyone searching for a 4 bed will not really consider this. The first photo should be what really sells the place - and the current one of a bedroom does not. I would change the bedroom with the shelves into a second reception room and keep the study billed as a study. Then people searching for a two bedroom will get your flat in the search results and see something much better than a 'basic' two bedroom.

I was browsing houses in south & SW London maybe 6 months ago: this is way more expensive per bedroom. I dunno what was wrong with the houses I was looking at then, I suppose.

I never understand posters commenting on OP's furniture or very cosmetic things like orange colour, swapping rooms, squashed table, where the TV is, etc. I'm blind to all that. OP isn't insisting buyer live with her stuff where it is.

it could work well (for instance) for an older adult who WFH and has a teen offspring plus would like to do some AirBnB. To me there's nothing wrong with it, except the price.

I would guess in person it looks calm and uncluttered but in photos it looks a little drab - some colour would really help - maybe a different rug, few more pictures on the walls, cushions?

I'd move the living room into the big bedroom.

I grew up around there (when it was still West Norwood - West Dulwich hadn't been invented) and I'd have it at that price. We sold my Dad's 2 bed flat (OK with a garden) in Crystal Palace for about the same price 3 years ago.

I think therefore that it's more a case of "dressing the set". It all looks a bit cold and clinical and not really very welcoming.

Didn’t read my second paragraph then? Clearly explained unless you just want to be difficult.

-Living room too small.
-Retake outside photo but shut all windows and clear grass weeds from pavement and walls.

Your service charge is high - what do you get for that? We pay that in our zone 1 flat and it includes cleaning of all the common areas plus a gardener.

I rather like it & love the bedroom with bookshelf 😃
The thing that would deter me (aside from the budget lol) is the service charge ...is it really £200 pcm?

The living space seems worse because for a 4 bed house you have space to seat 2 people in the living room. I'd lose the sideboard and put a bigger corner sofa in and put the tv on the wall.
But also it seems there is nowhere for clothes. One bedroom has in built wardrobes but apart from some drawers, there seems to be no clothes storage in the other rooms.
Making more use of the living room, and listing it as a 3, or even a 2, bed would be better

Price maybe a little over but it’s an expensive area. Service charge is high, I’m looking to buy a flat in south london too and don’t want to pay that much in service charge. I find the rooms too small too as I prefer open plan spaces.

Bathroom and master bedroom lovely.
Kitchen and living room are the issues. Small. Lose the glass table - either mount the tv on the wall or move things around and put it on the sideboard. Get a big plant in there to give it some life too. Does the table have to be at that angle - makes it look like it won't fit any other way.
Get the stuff off the top of the kitchen units and maybe put a few of the small appliances in cupboards for now.

It's very clean and tidy and looks in wonderful condition. I like the sloped roofs too as gives it a cosy feel. It could do with a little injection of colour - maybe a few more hanging prints, a throw on the sofa. The office furniture takes over somewhat. If possible could this be presented as a children's bedroom/nursery? The lounge also looks narrow. I don't think that TV stand does any favours as makes the sofa look close to the TV . Perhaps remove it for photos? Could you add a couple of mirrors to open up the space? I think that your first photo should be of the outside of the flat. It's an attractive building.

I'm being picky here.

I think just take it back to why are you leaving? What’s wrong with the property that makes you want to sell?

For me, I can’t see myself living there nor can I see the place fitting in with my lifestyle. And I’m a well paid 20 something. I can’t imagine people with children seeing themselves there. There’s no sparkle there. I think people will compromise on wow factor if the price is right, but as you know your price likely isn’t right

I think only 1 toilet and no en suite is very unbalanced for a 4 bedroom flat and would be a big no from me. I’d spend £3000 turning the study into a little en suite and a smaller study so it’s got a better ratio of bathrooms to bedrooms. Then swap lounge round remove glass table, put tv on wall opposite and give it a feeling of space. Maybe a glass or white dining table. A splash of colour in lounge with cushions / throws. It’s a nice flat but be realistic I don’t think someone who genuinely needs 4 bedrooms would want it so make it a better functioning 3 bed plus study.

It’s lovely. Hope the market picks up for you

It's likely the high service charge and unknown ground rent. What with major reform about to come of leasehold law, people may be holding off buying leasehold properties at all right now