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Original poster

trying to sell house - why isn't anyone buying ?

125 replies

binker · 26/05/2003 14:03

Am becoming increasingly despondent about ever moving ! Our house has been on the market for about 8-9 weeks,which I know isn't really very long, but I was assured by the agents that it would go fairly quickly as it is,though I say it myself,a very desirable property with bags of features and charm, very well presented (I 've watched the programmes !) and on one of the nicest roads in our area,which I am also assured is up and coming...so where are the viewers and when they come why are they being so hesitant in making offers ? Am I too impatient ? We've seen several houses that we'd love to put an offer on, but we can't proceed as we haven't a buyer - grrr ! We're in West London by the way - any mumsnetters got any ideas ?

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ks · 27/05/2003 19:29

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robinw · 27/05/2003 19:29

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Tinker · 27/05/2003 19:43

Binker - what kind of Christmas tree? The traditional Norwegian spruce? (think that's the one). There was one in my garden when I moved in 10 years ago. Hasn't really grown in height but gets fresh green fronds on it at this time of year too. The stem is covered in ivy, don't know if this affects the growth?

ks · 27/05/2003 20:09

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Original poster
binker · 27/05/2003 22:43

robinw - we're looking for houses in Dorchester itself - Chesil Beach a bit far out for us. The christmas tree is the regular kind I think - Norweigian,though I can't swear to it ! Tinker - it sounds the same as the one in your garden. I told the neighbour I'd ask about it and we could discuss it further if and when we move - don't want to tempt fate. One of the worst bits about not knowing if/when you might move is trying to sort out schools - they have guaranteed a place for my son whenever that happens, but ideally I'd have liked him settled in before he goes into year 2 in September. When we looked around the school last week we met the year 1 teacher who was expecting him to join her class earlier this year ! Also, though people are kind enough to ask, I get really fed up with going through all the reasons why we're still here.

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curryfan · 28/05/2003 00:02

I think the main problem is that a lot of people think the market is how it was this time last year - bouyant and houses selling at asking price - unfortunately this is not the case. All around the country (with a few exceptions) property appears to be taking at least 8 - 10 weeks to sell, with owners looking at accepting offers if they are keen to move. There are also the people out there relunctant to put their property on the market until they have found, and when they do they are in for a shock because they do not sell immediately and consequently end up losing the house they were after in the first place.

I have some experience of this first hand as I work in the industry, although there appears to be no signs that there will be a major drop in the market there seems to be a definate slow down. Very frustrating for all of you wanting to move I'm afraid, lets hope things pick up. All I would suggest is perhaps seek advise from other local agents in your area (are you at the end of your contract with your agent?) maybe the price needs to be readdressed, different marketing strategies? Look at getting at least 3 new comparative quotes between different agents should you consider remarketing, and do not necessarily go for the agent who prices highest (it may price you out of the market).

robinw · 28/05/2003 07:31

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scoobysnax · 28/05/2003 08:33

This is what I think Andrew Winter might have to say about it.
Houses are currently making on average 90% of the asking price, so offers around this level should be taken seriously...
Prices are also on the slide in London so you may need to regularly review the price you are asking.
Open house is a great way to drum up business although it can make you look desperate for a sale.
Get your estate agent to ask for feedback from the viewings - what did they like/ dislike about the property?
Good luck - you need a bit of that too!

Original poster
binker · 06/06/2003 10:25

please keep all your fingers crossed - we've put an offer on the house we like very much because the owners have found a house to buy and we felt we had to do something. We offered just above the asking price on condition that they took it off the market for a couple of weeks to give us a chance to find a buyer for ours - it's been accepted so now it's up to us and our agent to get us a buyer (we've dropped our price slightly too)...scary !

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SamboM · 06/06/2003 10:31

Good luck Binker, I know how awful it is. We have been trying to exchange for about 3 months on our new house!

Azure · 06/06/2003 15:58

After being so pleased with myself for having sold our flat in 5 days, I had the contract on my desk yesterday to sign - and the buyer pulled out. We've had an offer accepted on a house we really want to buy, and this means we may end up losing the lot. It's so unfair.

ks · 06/06/2003 16:07

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SamboM · 06/06/2003 16:17

(((())))

Original poster
binker · 06/06/2003 23:06

poor Azure - it's a rotten business isn't it...you have my sympathy.

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SamboM · 18/06/2003 20:32

AT LAST AT LAST AT LAST!!!

We exchanged today

I can't believe it, I'm sooooooooooooooo happy

How's everyone else getting on?

Ness73 · 18/06/2003 21:26

Just joined Mumsnet but thought I'd chime in on this one. We're also SW London and although our flat's only been on market for a couple of weeks I'm disappointed by lack of interest. Only 2 viewings! Agree with others about the faff of keeping it showhome pretty while looking after one year old daughter and maintaining normal life. We're moving to Oz (where I'm from) and now we've made decision, just want to GO! Difficult to live in limbo. Agent seems a bit crap. Nice bloke but that's the problem I think. I had 3 come round originally and of course all were gagging to get our business. Chose the 'nice family man' when I think I should have picked the annoying arrogant little prick. Am starting to think you need that kind of guy to drum up the business!

Anyone want a two bed flat in Teddington, let me know!

SamboM · 18/06/2003 21:36

Welcome to Mumsnet! Good luck with selling your house, I agree it's a mare keeping it clean. We took quite a low offer just to get it off the market as I couldn't handle all that keeping it tidy crap.

Ness73 · 18/06/2003 21:46

Fear we'll be doing the same tho DH is reluctant to face the reality that it's overpriced. I need to stick the property pages under his nose.

Congrats on selling and thanks for the welcome

SamboM · 18/06/2003 22:14

Thanks v much. It's been going on since January, was getting to the stage where we were going to pull out just to avoid the stress, thought dh was going to blow a gasket a couple of times!

If you really want to move at the moment you will have to take a price cut I believe. Otherwise it will just drag on and on.

Not sure about the estate agent query. I found James Anderson to be very good, don't know if you have them in Teddington. Who are you with?

ks · 18/06/2003 22:38

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Ness73 · 18/06/2003 23:20

We're with Your Move. They were the ones we bought it off originally. Don't know James Anderson. We can give notice of ending the sole agency agreement in another two weeks so maybe we will. Don't really want to go back to the arrogant little pricks who'll then be 'I told yo so'-ing! Have resigned myself to price cut but like you ks can't go below certain figure. I guess two weeks isn't THAT long - will have to be more patient.

Really should go to bed now.

Azure · 19/06/2003 08:19

We've just decided to go multi-agency to have any chance of still being able to buy the house we want. 3% commission is a bit of a killer, though. I instructed the agency Tuesday and yesterday they said they couldn't get the photographer around until July 2nd - was that ok. Erm, no. He's coming round tomorrow now - still not keeping to the 48 hour promise on the website. SamboM - many congrats on exchanging.

hewlettsdaughter · 19/06/2003 08:28

Hi all. Hope you don't mind me asking, SueW (hope you're still reading this thread!) - who is the estate agent in Notts/Derby that you recommend? My mum is currently trying to sell and buy in Notts.

SueW · 19/06/2003 08:59

I wasn't reading this thread but happened to spot my name!

The agebt friends seem to have had the best service through is Jonathan Fox . One particular friend who is quite particular about how she likes things done was very impressed.

Hope your mum manages to sell her house quickly. The market seems to have picked up again here recently. Yesterday on the way round to a friend's I noticed that two houses which have been for sale for ages near her (The Pippins at Stapleford, in case your mum knows it) have now been sold. Also my brother, whose house has been on for a while also sold his last weekend.

SueW · 19/06/2003 09:00

Hope you can make sense of that - my mind must have been somewhere else as I typed it! You've got the link anyway, which is all that really mattered!

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