Please give your opinions on why we have not had any viewings on our flat? Listing included

[househelp2025]

Hi there,

We are trying to sell our flat and have not had a single viewing. I know that this is typically either due to the price a property is listed at or something to do with the way it has been marketed.

I would be enormously grateful for any feedback on the listing and what (if anything) might deter you from booking a viewing?

It is a long lease - just shy of 999 years, and has a designated parking space in a private secure car park under the flat.

Is it the photos? Is the price too high? Something else?

Thanks in advance!

Flat listing

I don't know the market in that area so can't comment on the price but I couldn't see the service charge and would have scrolled past on the mention of a concierge and a gym as I would assume that is going to be costly.
(I know you have now shared it, but I would have scrolled past if I were looking).

I do agree with others about things you can't change, but wouldn't entice me to view the flat - no windows in either bathroom, or, importantly for me, the kitchen. Not able to shut of the kitchen from the living space.
But I think you have presented what you have, very well. I can't suggest any improvements for things you might be able to change.

Ultimately, no viewings is going to be price. I am another person that really dislikes 'offer over' - although if a property were really appealing I'd view, and then ignore that bit.

The photos aren't very good and 200 a month service charge is very off putting.

It’s horribly overlooked and the view from the balcony is unappealing. The service charge and ground rent add more than £200 to the monthly costs and I’d be paying for amenities I wouldn’t use. I don’t think I’m your target demographic but then I don’t think the people who would find it appealing have that kind of money. Sorry.

I'm instantly put off by the kitchen not being separate to the living room.

And the balcony overlooking the car park.

It’s lovely but the service charge is really high.
The thing that would really put me off though is how overlooked it is.

I can't see this anywhere in the description?

Thank you - this will definitely be our first port of call with the changes we make to the listing.

You have to click on the 'leashold' tab - it is there

There are two others under offer in same development at £300k and £325k so I don’t think the price is too far out. It is a shame the development did not capitalise on outside space by putting some green space for outlook from balcony. I would put some plants out there on the balcony. Also the other flats under offer show underground parking so in a city centre that is a big plus so show a photo.

It should be in the full description. if I'm honest I gave up clicking on all the links as they all just say 'ask agent'...

Is it because they are dark or for some other reason?

Well I like it x

I think some of the photos are unnecessary and take away rather than add something.

The living room looking towards the kitchen is better. The outside shot isn't bad and could be the main pic. The one of the TV in bedroom just makes it look cramped.

Do the bedrooms need to be arranged that way?
The beds under the windows make them look small.

The balcony pic isn't the best and overall they are all quite dark.

It's a flat of a certain type. Just dress it a bit more for young and aspirational.

Do the beds fit the other way in the bedrooms? They don’t look great where you have them currently in front of the windows but I appreciate you might not be able to change that… Service charge is off putting but again you can’t change that. Could you put up some screening, get some plants and redo the balcony photos to obscure the view of the car park? I know buyers will still see it in person but it might help you get viewings and then you never know, the rest of the flat might convince them to overlook it. Your kitchen looks super dark in those photos. If it was a gloomy day get that picture redone too. I’d also stage your dining table to seat 4 as it’s nice to know you could have friends over for dinner. Picture 10 of mostly your badly hung TV is just awful- get them to delete that. If the parking is especially good for the area include a photo of it! But really, there’s not a long wrong with it that you can realistically change. It’s just a small flat with awkward bedrooms and a high service charge… it’s nicely decorated and looks in good nick so really it’s the price (it’s always the price).

Can't believe this is what a small flat is going for. Sorry, not a helpful comment for you op.

Can you add a load of shrubs or greenery of some sort to the balcony?

Swap the sofas around so the room feels wider; I’d turn the rug the other way aswell if you want it in the photos. Get rid of that tiny table and put a bigger one in or a round one. Some greenery on your balcony is a must! If you’re set on that price I’d consider getting a home staging person in and redoing the photos tbh; they may well suggest changing out your furniture with some other styles for the photos but could work magic. I think the space is ok. The problem for me is that it’s not aspirational enough. What would someone who needs 2 beds has a 35 min commute to London LOVE?? I’d be thinking things like houseplants, a lovely secluded balcony to relax on weekends; a nice dining table to host friends, a mini bar, lovely lighting, a luxury guest room that they can also WFH in. It’s a lot of money for them to spend; they will know that aswell. You need those items to speak to your profiled buyers and sell them a lovely future in that flat! x

You could landscape your balcony. Move the inside plants outside! Also, the floor plan says 'ground floor', but the balcony suggests first? It suggests the balcony is nearer the carpark than it is?

I don't know how clearer you need to be about the proximity to central London, but that does seem a pretty easy commute, especially for a young couple working in the city for eg. Something about vibrant London lifestyle in the blurb?

I'm not a fan of 'offers in excess of'. I'm never sure what that means. Just tell me the price and I can offer under (I'd be looking at a cheeky 295 in this case, upping to 300 in negotiation!)

Gut reaction- it's expensive and small and overlooks a carpark. I guess if the estate agents have priced it right then it's just a matter of waiting until someone wants it. Trying to be more helpful can you remember why you bought it? What attracted you to the flat? Can you capitalise on that?

Have a think about the price. If others are priced similarly it will at least make yours more attractive.

in the living room, I’d also maybe swap the couch blocking the window for the table and move things up a bit. This will generate more light.

Also if you can, I’d have a declutter and get the pics retaken. If not, at least put some things in storage for when you do get viewings. Good luck.

The price & the service charge.
you need better photos.

Id be put off with having to leave the block and be immediately in traffic jams ( my DD used to go to school near there.) And are there service charges? They have a habit of going up yearly and getting less for them .

Bedrooms look small and can't see any greenery nearby ( I know it's in town but even so) And the block itself is ugly. I think you would need to reduce the price

You need some massive green and beautiful plants on the balcony - at least one at each end, disguising the view - and maybe some raffia/bamboo screening to disguise the railings. Than put something colourful on the balcony furniture. Those two pictures are so off putting.

The first photo of the living room doesn’t emphasise the space somehow.

It needs more colour and comfort without looking cluttered.

This is your competition. Look at all that green you can see from the balcony.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/161902568

I came here to say similar to the first two points here. The view directly into other flats would be off-putting for me, and the lack of green space. The lack of light in the bedroom feels (rightly or wrongly) down to that being the only place for the bed. I wouldn't like my bed under a window but appreciate that's personal preference. And the bathrooms being interior rooms and having no windows would really put me off, partly form a light perspective but also because they are far more likely to get damp.

Sorry OP, I know that none of those things are within your control but in combination with the price, they're probably making it a tricky sell for you

It's very similar to new builds around where I am which are around 50k cheaper but then we're much further north.

Can you dress the flat a bit better perhaps eg move the beds so the headboards aren't shutting the light out, and the same with one of the sofas. From this distance it looks very small.