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AIBU?

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Original poster

House still on market over 2 years later

293 replies

lonelysadfedup · 07/10/2024 15:33

Hi our house has been up for sale for 2 years and 3 months. We had lots of viewings, no offers. My husband then reduced the price this year, more viewings and still no offers.
My name isn’t on the mortgage and deeds due to my bad credit rating.

mortgage in principle ran out ages ago so we don’t know how much my husband would be able to get a mortgage for and how much a month it would be. We have equity in this house. 22 year mortgage with 14 years left.

I’ve made different suggestions to my husband such as listing it as a 4 bed rather than a five with the bedrooms not been big. I’ve suggested decluttering to see if that helps. I’ve suggested going with a different estate agent and lowering the price. Then today I’ve tried to talk to him about it. Mentioned lowering the price and he just dismissed it.

im fed up of it all now and it’s not fair on our children. I’m now at a lost as what to do

OP posts:
HollaHolla · 07/10/2024 16:52

Sorry, but those photos are terrible. I don't know who took them, but I really hope it's not their actual job.....
You need a serious de-clutter, and tidy through. Not one room looks ready to be presented properly. At least smooth the bedcovers out, as they look like someone/something is hiding in them.
I'm sure it's clean (I can talk - my house is untidy, but clean!) and stash all of the bottles/toys somewhere - even if it's in the car/garage, for the photos and viewings.
Also, poor credit or not, you need to be more involved in this.

Phoenix9 · 07/10/2024 16:53

Hi OP.

I'm local, the area alone is pretty pricey, especially compared to the other side of Wakefield, so I don't think the house is massively overpriced for a 4 bed, maybe by £10-20k, based on the kitchen needing updating, I also think the downstairs is too small for a 5 bed. (Currently looking for a 5 bed house in the local area)

The pictures are an issue, there's too much clutter for them, you can't really see the floors and walls, I call house pictures like this "too busy"

Also, your floor plans need dimensions on them and you have 2 "bedroom 2's" so they are also mis-labelled.

Not much you can do if DH won't listen, but I'd do some research on other 5beds in the area.

Murpe · 07/10/2024 16:53

Looking at the other properties with the same postcode, and they haven't had near the same uplift in price as 190k to 290k over 8 years. More like 30% rather than 50%, so it could just be that.

I don't see that clutter is an issue, if people are getting through the door. If you weren't getting viewings, I would say yes, perhaps, but the photos aren't putting people off viewing.

Neveranynamesleft · 07/10/2024 16:53

The EA should definately do the viewings, when nobody is at home. Isn't that all part of their service and what you pay them for ? Some people just cannot see past other people's belongings when they look at houses for sale so, as others have said, you will definitely have to 'stage' your rooms better. You may as well start on the declutter now, you will have to do it when you move !
Have you been there with your husband when people are viewing ? It would be interesting to hear what exactly he is telling them.

user7654263 · 07/10/2024 16:54

I agree the photos are dreadful. One is of a load of junk on a sofa and you can't even see the room, another is of a load of bottles on top of a washing machine and then there's one of a pair of shabby looking curtains which don't hang properly and don't fit the window. What is your estate agent thinking!

MugPlate · 07/10/2024 16:54

Utility
This is the third photo people see. It's almost as if photographer, agent and husband don't want to sell this house.

Goodadvice1980 · 07/10/2024 16:54

Price, clutter, dated decor (especially the front room fire) & looks like a lack of storage. Feels a bit unloved. Photos are not good. Bin the agent & list with someone else.

Good luck 🍀 OP

HollaHolla · 07/10/2024 16:55

Also - why has a photographer (professional??) taken focused pictures of piles of drawers of toys/mess? I'm baffled on them thinking this was a good idea.

TalkSomeSense1 · 07/10/2024 16:56

If you’ve had lots of viewings it’s not the photos (although they aren’t great!). It’s down to price. Any home will find a buyer if it’s priced right.

I’d talk to the agent honestly and listen to what they have to say. You could think your home is worth a £million but the agent (a GOOD agent) should always be honest and tell you what is happening locally to make your home stall for so long!

What feedback have you had?

RamonaRamirez · 07/10/2024 16:57

Well clearly your husband does not want to sell and he is managing it all including the viewings so safe to say it will never sell

why is he not communicating this to you honestly? I mean clearly he does not want to move

Original poster
lonelysadfedup · 07/10/2024 16:57

Murpe · 07/10/2024 16:53

Looking at the other properties with the same postcode, and they haven't had near the same uplift in price as 190k to 290k over 8 years. More like 30% rather than 50%, so it could just be that.

I don't see that clutter is an issue, if people are getting through the door. If you weren't getting viewings, I would say yes, perhaps, but the photos aren't putting people off viewing.

The house was originally 225000 and the sellers did a part exchange with a company who were building new houses. This company did this a lot in the village I live then sold them on for less for a quick sale

OP posts:
Original poster
lonelysadfedup · 07/10/2024 16:59

user7654263 · 07/10/2024 16:54

I agree the photos are dreadful. One is of a load of junk on a sofa and you can't even see the room, another is of a load of bottles on top of a washing machine and then there's one of a pair of shabby looking curtains which don't hang properly and don't fit the window. What is your estate agent thinking!

Which room has the shabby curtains?

OP posts:
TerfTalking · 07/10/2024 17:02

At first glance I thought what a bargain, but looking inside all I saw was clutter, mess and more clutter.

it deffo needs taking off the market, a massive declutter, throw out, pack up and store in the garage, put other things in nice storage receptacles, a coat of paint and some nice accessories. The house needs to look like a home not a charity shop.

id do all that then put it back on in the spring.

EmeraldIsla · 07/10/2024 17:02

lonelysadfedup · 07/10/2024 16:59

Which room has the shabby curtains?

Show quote history

Photos 11 and 13 - they're hanging off the rail in various places.

You also asked which rooms looked cluttered - can you really not see?

pinkfleece · 07/10/2024 17:02

You can't be bothered to declutter for the photos - that would make me think that you'll be a real pain in the backside to deal with, never replying to things, leaving a load of junk behind etc.
Sorry, but it matters. Your husband sounds like an idiot.

reesewithoutaspoon · 07/10/2024 17:02

The clutter makes it look like there is a lack of storage space and the house is on the small side. Most people looking for a 5 bed don't want to be shoehorned into a small house and these photos are giving the impression that they will be.

Icanttakethisanymore · 07/10/2024 17:02

Octavia64 · 07/10/2024 16:31

Photos are not good.

Third photo is of a toilet and a washing machine with lots of clutter around it.

It's obviously a family house which is fine but the photos could be a lot better.

I agree - this photo is horrendous.

SoMauveMonty · 07/10/2024 17:02

If you're both serious about moving, you need to get the EA to do the viewings. Like a PP i'm wondering if your DH is sabotaging, even unconsciously, the viewings.
You said your marriage isn't good. I know from (bitter) experience going through a house sale/move then finding out you're getting divorced just a few months later is rubbish. Maybe take off the market for a while, tidy/declutter and have a serious think about what you both want.

BlackShuck3 · 07/10/2024 17:03

I’ve made different suggestions to my husband such as listing it as a 4 bed rather than a five with the bedrooms not been big. I’ve suggested decluttering to see if that helps. I’ve suggested going with a different estate agent and lowering the price. Then today I’ve tried to talk to him about it. Mentioned lowering the price and he just dismissed it
This makes me think he doesn't really want to move.

orangegato · 07/10/2024 17:03

A 5 bed for that price??? Is it a horrible area, or near a school or play park? Either of those are a hard no from me.

I don’t see anything up with the house. Clutter wouldn’t put me off a house I liked as I’d presume you’d be taking it with you.

nevergonnaguess · 07/10/2024 17:07

lonelysadfedup · 07/10/2024 16:38

I’ve tried and tried and he just dismisses my ideas and makes excuses. I need help decluttering as have physical health problems that cause me to be in pain

Doesn't sound like he wants to move tbh

BrainLife · 07/10/2024 17:07

Ginmonkeyagain · 07/10/2024 16:34

Seems like a fairly normal and nice house to me. Yes it is a little cluttered but not worryingly so.

Glad someone said it! There's a bit of clutter that could do with being in a cupboard but I don't think it's really messy as someone else has suggested. Just looks lived in as opposed to a show home!

zingally · 07/10/2024 17:08

It looks a perfectly nice house, but I agree with what others have said. Photo 3, focusing on the washing machine, a load of clutter/rubbish shoved down the side, and a toilet with no storage, is a very bizarre choice.
Personally, I don't think it's nothing a 6 month lease on a storage unit and some new photos wouldn't fix.
Yes the bathrooms are a bit dated, but again, they look perfectly fine for now.

Yennah · 07/10/2024 17:08

Picture 3 is hardly selling it, quite the opposite. It is also very cluttered making the rooms look smaller than they actually are. The garden with the pool too makes it feel small.

I would paint everything neutral, get fresh pictures and change your estate agent and insist they handle the viewings.

Shantayyoustaysashayaway · 07/10/2024 17:09

Do you get feedback OP from the viewings via your EA?
My daughter had her house on the market for a while & it was full of stuff. Due to feedback they decorated the bedrooms & landing to neutral colours, replaced some skirting & did a big declutter. Also made sure that the house was empty during views which the EA did as being a professional knew exactly how to sell the house. Once they did everything suggested they sold quite quickly & are now in their lovely new home.
Can you arrange viewing for when your DH is out (does he wfh?) & could you get a friend or relative to help you declutter & charity shop/boot sale/FB etc what's not needed? If the item hasn't been played with/used in six months then let it go.