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Original poster

Is anyone else having a misreable time trying to sell their house?

475 replies

Roseflower · 23/08/2010 23:07

Our house has been on the market since June and trying to sell it - it's so depressing. Our one offer fell through and since then it just been no more offers.

Buyers (this month we have only had FTB) seem to be getting more and more unrealistic in what they expect for their money around here.

I hate everything about selling a house- the horrible estate agents, the constant calls from rival estate agents touting, the time waster people, rushing around like mad tidying up after dd for hours, giving up our plans to get ready for viewings, people saying nasty things about our family home... but worse in the uncertainity of it all.

Be good to know other people feel as down as me for some support. Or even better people who did feel like me but now things have turned out well!

OP posts:
120 · 13/09/2010 13:02

Spirit - that's not the master room - the one with the bunk bed is - we switched with the kids! They've got a huge bedroom/playroom thing going on and we have their bedroom - we switched when DD was 1.5. Before kids, I used to have the second bed as a spare room/study.

Maybe we should switch back to sell, but I'd have to clear their toys out of the sitting room everyday which would drive me bananas! This way they are only allowed toys in their room, which is making tyding up for viewings a bit easier for me. Hmm.

spiritmum · 13/09/2010 13:13

Oh I would definitely think about swapping - lots of people have big beds (we have a superking, mostly because we end up with at least one dc at night) and a small master bed really puts me off. If you are after a professional single or couple, who will want a nice luxurious bedroom, then swapping makes sense. And tbh I like having a big grown up space to myself and dh. Not that it is really, but I like to think it is.

Do you have relations nearby who can store some toys for you for a while? If not the boot of the car can be a quick stashing point.

Sorry, don't know if I'm helping or not!

midnightexpress · 13/09/2010 13:21

I agree re. swapping. I'd definitely consider it while you're selling if it's possible. I think some people find it difficult to imagine themselves in other people's homes, so you have to help them as much as you can with that. If they see a child's room, they'll think 'child's room' and not 'magnificent master bedroom'.

120 · 13/09/2010 13:32

I will definitely consider it. I'd have to buy new furniture for it though, as I don't really have suitable big master bedroom furniture myself - I prefer small cosy bedrooms, but I know lots of people do.

Zephirine, sorry only just saw your post as it managed to hide itself on my screen. Thanks for your encouraging comments and yes, agree camera angles a bit odd, but I think it is because our windows are so large, if you get them in shot it changes the light balance to such an extent you get a dark room. We bought this as we both loved being near the Shoreditch night life, as well as being able to walk to work in the city.

Anyway, after all this, I've just had an (too low and rejected) offer today, so that's not bad after 3 weeks on the market. Fingers crossed.

midnightexpress · 13/09/2010 14:07

I think there might be places where you can hire furniture for just this sort of thing. perhaps google something like 'home staging' (bleurk).

nottirednow · 13/09/2010 14:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

120 · 13/09/2010 14:23

Interesting. I thought that having a double in the small bedroom would prove it can take a double, otherwise it is hard to believe! Will discuss it with DP. I'm going to see if I can get better photos. Need to wait for a brighter day though as even photoshop isn't going to cheer up this light.

LadyBiscuit · 13/09/2010 16:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

120 · 13/09/2010 16:37

thanks LB - looks gorgeous. Love the garden too. And congrats on your offer! We've moved most of our clutter cherished posessions into storage. Mainly books, random baby gear and suitcases, it has to be said, but they still take up acres of space somehow.

LadyBiscuit · 13/09/2010 17:19

Thanks 120. I think it's so much about the photos though - if you don't mind my saying, yours look as though they've been taken by an extremely tall person looking at their feet! They can always light the room if it's a dingy day. I think it's definitely worth getting some more pics done. I also found KFH really good and think that because they have offices across London, you may attract people who weren't initially looking in your area which is a good thing.

I think it looks like a really nice flat at a good price so hope you get it sold v soon :)

Fingers crossed the house I'm buying all goes through - flat seems to be proceeding ok but it's the tying it all up that's the pain.

midnightexpress · 13/09/2010 17:34

I agree about the pics - I wouldn't worry about the scaffolding, but yours do look as if someone is standing on a chair, which to me screams 'it's tiny', even though it isn't in fact. We live in a basement lower ground floor flat and the pictures look fine and light although they were taken on a fairly gloomy day and it doesn't get a huge amount of natural light.

but but but, congratulations on an offer (even a rejected one!) - that's very positive news.

sungirltan · 13/09/2010 18:45

ladybiscuit your place looks amaaaazing. i am inspired!

thegirlwiththemouseyhair · 13/09/2010 19:47

Flat gone on the market today -
Wish me luck!

LadyBiscuit · 13/09/2010 19:48

Thanks suntangirl - go be inspired. Just goes to show what good photos can do :)

Am going to take it down now you've seen it.

mathanxiety · 13/09/2010 20:44

Good luck TGWTMBH

Mine has been on the market for 4 weeks now and had a showing virtually every day on average. PITA but necessary. I hate my agent with a passion.

I have decluttered so much the house is almost sterile. Fingers X'd so much they hurt.

I can't do anything about one particular problem some viewers have mentioned -- they will have to build a fancy bathroom upstairs if they want one. The description states clearly what there is in the way of bathrooms. So why complain when you don't find something where nobody promised it in the first place???

120 · 13/09/2010 21:25

good luck with your flat mouseyhair. Tis a strange voyage. I'd go crazy with that amount of viewings math.. then again at least you don't tidy in vain!

silver28 · 13/09/2010 21:44

Hi, I've only read the first and last pages of this thread but people seem to be giving sound advice so thought I'd see if anyone has any suggestions for me (other than the obvious 'drop the price' which I would very willingly do but DH is being a pain in the bum and won't agree to it yet (and I'm trying not to nag too much)).

Our house has been on the market since February and in all that time we've had only one viewing! In my opinion it's a lovely house and we'll be sad to leave it but want to be nearer work and family, though not moving v far. Seems no one else thinks so though, so if anyone can suggest what might be putting people off I'd be v grateful to hear you suggestions: house details

silver28 · 13/09/2010 21:57

sorry, am crap at this, hope this link works house details

120 · 13/09/2010 21:58

Silver - I can't get your link to work!

silver28 · 13/09/2010 22:10

Hi 120, I think the second link works.

Going to bed now so if anyone does reply please don't think I'm being ignorant!

120 · 13/09/2010 22:23

Think it looks lovely - can't see a map or floorplan on the site. Will have a proper look in the morning as am going to bed too Smile.

florencerose · 13/09/2010 22:33

OK
I'm coming back to this very late sorry but for ways of 'affording' a property without really doing so/meaning it is affordable to everyone else

interest only mortgage
self-cert mortgage
inherited money
coming in with lots of equity/double equity
working in a higher paying area/job than the norm for the area
being self-employed might help but I'm not too sure about that

there is of course always lying........

some of these are no longer options I'm sure some are still possible

I still hold by my point that there can't be many people earning the required sum of money in Plymouth who can afford your flat who want to buy it sorry if you disagree you asked for opinions maybe you should say you only want ones you like Biscuit

and I still say one mans penthouse is another mans attic

the market in most places has changed so properties that are less desirable for whatever reason are going to take longer to sell (less desirable can sometimes just mean different)

will go back and read the rest now

sungirltan · 13/09/2010 22:57

silver28 - kitchen is beautiful. fascia is a bit drab and damp looking but wooden wondows v nice!. why are there only a few photos? does the rest of the house need work??

MollysChambers · 13/09/2010 23:03

Hi Silver

Your house looks lovely. Only thing I would say is that the pic of outside looks a bit sterile. Maybe a small conifer in a pot either side of door (or similar) to give it more kerb appeal? Not a gardener but obviously something that would look good through autumn and into winter would be best.

I wondered why there were only three photos? I would have expected more tbh although not familiar with this agent.

Also, if you have only had one viewing since Feb then you really have to seriously think about dropping price. If you can't get them through the door then you won't sell. Sorry.

florencerose · 13/09/2010 23:10

Two more ways

paying interest at a crazy low rate (try your mortgage at 8% and see.....)
buying your place years ago when it only cost 60K!!

ladybiscuit your place looks lovely
for those saying that the E2 one isn't small it is 466sq ft compared to lady biscuits 832 not to mention the 50 foot garden (we wont go into the merits of E2 vs W Hampsted!!)

I am still downloading the plan for your flat 120 my computer is v slow sorry
how did they takt the photos were they on a chair or did it just come out like that? are all their photos like that? if not it will make people think that yours is small TBH

Avoid the green and yellow people everyone knows they overvalue massively!