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

For me because it's in the eves

All I'd say is if you use a bedroom as the living room, will people have any view of anything through the skylights/ Velux?
Given that the view from the current living room appears to be a large industrial estate, I'm not sure that's much of an issue.

A light airy room with a view of nothing would far be my preference.

First thing I do in any house is cover the window (blinds/nets, curtains, tint) because I HATE people looking in.

Skylights remove that risk, unless someones in a helicopter or your next to a much bigger building.

A view is nice but to me a 'view' does not include other houses or roads in it other wise I feel like an animal in a zoo looking out from its enclosure. A 'view' to me would overlook your own or 'uninhabited' land like a garden, farm fields, woods, mountains, the sea etc...

The parking (or lack of) is something else that would put me off

I'd say you're not the target market for a flat in Hamilton Road then. Which is fair enough, but most people in a city are good with the view of it, and most people aren't that level of stressed about people looking in. Which isn't an issue with any room in this flat anyway.

I am not sure the lack of parking is a deal breaker. A lot of younger Londoners don't own a car or are used to using street parking.

However a private parking space will add value to a property.

Living in London in a 2 bed flat in similar sone and priced flat I think yours looks fine. I'd love 2 more small rooms to use as office and this have proper spair room

Pic one of sloping bedroom should be changed to another. New pics would probably help.

Yeah, I’ve only just noticed that. it’s a narrow room already and the view from the settee is that long radiator (surely too big for a room that size). It could do with being moved and replaced with something much smaller.

And you should definitely ask Foxtons to get onto Right Move about the order of the photos. That is seriously sloppy!

I'd move the side board out of the room along with that cabinet next to the sofa. Add one of your armchairs from the bedroom in that corner to make it look more appealing as a family room.

Possible move TV over a bit to make it not as crammed. Finally, table over closer to the wall and turn it so it fits flush. If you have cash, change the rug with a bit of colour/pattern.

Good luck

It's a nice flat but just appears somewhat bland

I never look at foxtons listings, it’s a known secret that they massively overprice what they sell. Like in this case (sorry).

People live in built up areas due to practicality not want.

No one WANTS people nebbing through their windows.

No one WANTS a view of a busy road and traffic.

Doesn't matter where you live.

Clearly from MOST the replies on here agree with me though that people want a decent sized yet still cosy living room. That's why virtually everyone has suggested doing exactly that.

Given that the view from the current living room appears to be a large industrial estate...

From street view, it looks like it's the kitchen that faces the street.

*People live in built up areas due to practicality not want.

No one WANTS people nebbing through their windows.

No one WANTS a view of a busy road and traffic

Clearly from MOST the replies on here agree with me though that people want a decent sized yet still cosy living room. That's why virtually everyone has suggested doing exactly that.*

Keep shouting all you like but I live nearby from want not practicality and prefer the urban landscape over the seaside or rural views. It's West Dulwich not spaghetti junction or some hectic road with nosey pedestrians peering in. London's better known for people ignoring each other than 'nebbing'. And whichever way the rooms are organised, the living room wouldn't be on the ground floor so your nebbing stress is irrelevant to the flat in question.

Loads of people actively want to live in cities and are more than happy to have the view out of their top windows to be a cityscape. I agree that all other things being equal nobody would choose to be overlooked though. Given a completely free choice and infinite budget the city-dwellers would probably want a secluded Chelsea garden or a flat with a huge window overlooking the Thames with no one looking in.

Then you buy it from the OP... I'm sure she will be thrilled to have a buyer that just loves the view so much.

You can protest all you want but the proof that its failed to sell THREE time and nearly every responder (people from all different backgrounds and areas of the country) have said the same thing (including many locals) shows that you are the minority.

Why isn’t this called a maisonette anymore? A flat is flat as in one floor only

@DonnaBanana I wouldn't call it a maisonette. For a start, supposedly a maisonette is completely self contained without a shared front door.

@ratemyflatplease Despite all the naysayers I still like it OP. People have given you a lot of suggestions you could consider. Praying for a sale for you soon. x

I imagine it will be bought by a developer. If I could do whatever I wanted with it I'd turn the kitchen and living room into bedrooms, then on the upper floor I'd just have a big open plan living and kitchen area with the bathroom and maybe an office. It would be fewer bedrooms but so much more pleasant.

@MetaverseMavis

it does not look either drab or soulless.

@ratemyflatplease I love it. I don't know the going price around there (I don't have the bandwidth to look tonight either, sorry) but I assume you have & the price seems reasonable?

I guess no outside space is quite limiting, but plenty of flats without do sell.

i think patience is important. It's hard to sell right now, let alone when your property is a little restricted in some ways (flat, no outside space, reasonably expensive maintenance contract)

be patient, best of luck!!

@ratemyflatplease

in what way do you find the flat unique?

I didn't look at first, and thought people were being a bit harsh.

However now that I have looked: wow that living room is not inviting at all. The master bedroom looks lovely and airy and the 'living' space is like a waiting room. I'd know I wouldn't need to go for a viewing based on that alone (ignoring the price, which does sound ambitious given what others here have said. Also what's the monthly charge for?).

Then you buy it from the OP... I'm sure she will be thrilled to have a buyer that just loves the view so much.

How peculiar you are. I don't need a flat, thanks, I've got a home with a similar view that I do indeed love. I haven't said the flat doesn't have issues, hence why it's not selling. I just don't think it's the view which you are 'FIXATING' on, given that millions of London homes have similar views and do sell.

Ha ha! People don't buy flats in London for the views! Unless you are talking very high end penthouses.

Obviously most people would rather not be facing a blank wall or over looking the bins but most properties in London will have a view of roads, other houses and some greenery.

We happen to be at the top of a pretty steep hill in a hilly area of London so actually have pretty decent panoramic views across London and Kent. But it's still mainly houses, small ones and a lot of sky but still ......