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Original poster

Trying to sell - totally fed up!

136 replies

Gabity · 03/01/2011 23:40

We have had our house on the market now for 7 months. We are desperate to move. DH bought the house 3 years ago on a whim Hmm just before we met. We are now married complete with baby and dog. We are looking to move to the country side beside my parents and are so fed up waiting.

Please please, can you have a look at link to house and tell me what you think? Be brutal and honest. We will do/change anything if you think it will make a difference?

Had 4 viewers in 7 months and not a sniff of an offer. Obviously can't do anything about the area, its not great, but is okay. Quiet and excellent schools/parks/shops/train station close by.

As you can see we are now 20k below home report value and really can't afford to go any lower.

our house

OP posts:
artyjools · 12/01/2011 11:38

Good luck with the viewing.

I can't see that evidence of a dog living in the house would put off someone who was otherwise interested in it. I have a dog - I put all of her stuff in the garage and she goes in the back of my car, out of the way, during viewings. It goes without saying that dog mess / dog hairs are dealt with and there is no smell!

However, I have viewed houses which smell of cats, which have bicycles in the hall, which have all the curtains closed, etc etc but if it is the right house in the right place for the right price, I would put in an offer.

Original poster
Gabity · 12/01/2011 13:15

Latest development! Had another estate agent out to look at house. He likes it, says that he hoped he would be able to tell us to change things but really there is nothing he can suggest. He says if he was being really picky the only thing would be to re-grout the shower. Doesn't want to give us false hope and wasn't terribly pushy but says there are things that they can do compared to countrywide and he says they have a better photographer! The price they charge is WAY cheaper than countrywide, why oh why didn't we shop around before choosing in the first place?

On the up side, he knows the viewer that is coming here on Thursday as she has looked at one of his properties. So countrywide arn't making her up.

Dog does go when we have viewers, complete with blanket, dishes etc. Dog doesn't get to to the toilet ever in the garden so thats a no issue and house is de-haired regularly!

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Bunbaker · 12/01/2011 18:24

artyjools. Unfortunately there are a great many people who would be put off by pet smells etc. It is one of the golden rules of selling a house.

Monkeytoo · 12/01/2011 19:38

Also - make sure your house is nice and warm for viewers, we've been to see a few where they're cold and it seems really unhomely... good luck!

Bunbaker · 12/01/2011 20:26

And nice and light. Put lights on if it is a dull day and pull the curtains right back.

CheckeredFlag · 12/01/2011 20:35

Good luck for tomorrow.

In my experience, auction will only work if you set a very low guide price to get interest, and are willing to take a big drop on your current price. Auctions work well for either properties that need to be sold whatever the price, because buyers feel they are getting a bargain, or for properties where there is going to be lots of interest and so the price goes up as high as it can. Unless yours is considered such a bargain that it would be silly not to buy, you are unlikely to sell it.

Remember you can have a property on the market with more than one agent, with a higher % but more exposure. Your new agent sounds much more switched on though, so perhaps better just to go with him. Why don't you get a few more round though, while you're at it? Do it all in one day then you only have to tidy once!

Jeremyess · 12/01/2011 21:03

What was the new EA opinion on pricing? Fingers crossed for tomorrow.

Original poster
Gabity · 12/01/2011 22:53

New EA said he would expect to get mid 80s for it but would put it on at Offers Over 79,950. Also said it was a scandel that these houses are going so cheap, great value for money.

Went for a walk with the dog earlier and had a look at the other house this couple are going to see, from the outside its not a patch on ours, no nearby parking etc - and its priced at £30k more than ours!!!!! It is very nice inside, all new bathroom/kitchen but it hasn't got as much space. If someone spent 30k on this house it would be so much better than theirs. Hopefully the couple viewing agree with me!

Got another estate agent coming next Tues, so will make a decision then.

Can I just say how fab you all are, and a wonderful support! Shall have you all round to the do-er upper when its 'done' - will be a fab house for a party!! Grin Grin Grin

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ilovecrisps · 13/01/2011 00:07

Arty the house is cleary not the right house in the right place at the right price because no one has put in an offer/viewed it for how long?!!!! (not trying to sound harsh Gabity sorry)

Gabity glad the viewer is real.

I'm chuffed at being bang on with the price I was about to post asking for suggestions for a new career Hmm I see I can add Glasgow estate agent to the list allready Grin

Bunbaker · 13/01/2011 07:12

What facilities do you have near you? What are the schools like? Houses always sell at a premium if they are near brilliant schools.

Original poster
Gabity · 13/01/2011 08:39

Don't recommend the change of career to Glasgow Estate agent crisps they all look major depressed at the moment! Well done on the price though! Grin

Bun there is a couple of super small primary schools. We are right on the edge of Cambuslang and the primary school catchment area we are in is for the two (one Catholic one not) smaller schools that more cover the outlying areas rather than being big town centre schools. 2 huge parks either end of our road, one open for football, dog running about and one more leafy with a big swing park. High street about a 5-10 min walk, close enough to be handy but far enough away to be away from the noise. 3 train station within walking distance, all go to city centre in minutes. The road at the end of our street is on the main bus route.

Almost convincing myself to stay now! Sounds funny when you compare it to where we want to move to - middle of no-where, need car to get to shops, school, parks. No public transport for miles and miles! - BLISS!

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lalalonglegs · 13/01/2011 09:59

I got a press release this morning from the National Assn of Estate Agents saying that December had seen the lowest number of sales agreed in 8 years and largely blamed the weather - central Scotland was particularly badly hit, iirc, so maybe January will be a bit better for you.

Original poster
Gabity · 13/01/2011 19:19

Well...much positiveness! They seemed really quite keen and are obviously very genuine. They left saying 'well we will speak to you soon'. Good?

How do you know that someone is about to put an offer in on your house?

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Original poster
Gabity · 14/01/2011 09:56

EA just been on phone. Couple have registered interest, asked about moving dates and requested a copy of the home report to take to their mortgage advisor. OH MY GOD.

Am getting ridiculously excited, stuipid isn't it? Trying to tell myself that it doesn't mean anything but OH MY GOD!!!!!!

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Original poster
Gabity · 14/01/2011 09:56

(It was the twigs that did it, obviously) Grin Grin Grin

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lalalonglegs · 14/01/2011 10:39

Brilliant news - how long from registering interest to making an offer generally (don't know very much about Scottish system)?

Original poster
Gabity · 14/01/2011 10:54

lala I don't know very much about the Scottish system! Blush I don't know!

EA said that the girl was taking home report to Mortgage Advisor today and that she would be back in touch on Monday.

EA said not to get excited BUT start thinking about getting a survey organised for dream house and make an appointment with our mortgage advisor to get our mortgage agreed in principal so its all systems go if she is def going to go for it!

Mum got an offer on my Grans house just before Christmas, sold sign is up and moving date is 21st, so it can move quite quickly.

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NoseyNooNoo · 14/01/2011 11:11

Fabtastic - great news!

ilovecrisps · 14/01/2011 11:49

You gotta love those twigs

well done great news
fingers crossed for you

Shellbell72 · 14/01/2011 12:38

fingers, toes and eyes crossed

Original poster
Gabity · 17/01/2011 10:26

Second viewing tonight! Ahhhhhhhh. Can't take the not knowing much longer!!

Hints and Tips for 2nd viewings? Just let them in and let them get on with it??

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Fiddledee · 17/01/2011 10:49

Second viewing be available for them to ask you any questions after they have had a good wander round on their own. I hate vendors who follow me round and talk to me constantly, I just can't think that way.

Offer them tea/coffee/wine at the end if you are drinking it yourself.

Try to not give the vibe that you are dying to sell the house. Say you love the house and area and would like to stay except xyz means you have to move.

Good luck

CheckeredFlag · 17/01/2011 12:42

Oooh, well done and good luck! I agree with Fiddledee, give them time to get to know the house and leave them to it for a bit, but be available to answer questions.

Make sure there aren't any easily grabbable valuables (jewellery, etc) if you're not accompanying them from room to room though, just to be on the safe side.

Sit on the deck/sofa with a glass of wine and some olives, gentle music on, sell your lifestyle!

Original poster
Gabity · 17/01/2011 14:08

You will never ever guess what?

Just had estate agent on the phone, couple have offered £85k for the house and we have accepted. Grin

They are still coming round tonight, just to see their new home. All going according to plan moving day is first week in March.

Thank you all so so much for your support and please hang around and help me through the next traumatic stage of securing our new house!!!

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Sushiqueen · 17/01/2011 14:18

Congratulations. Hope it all goes well and good Luck with the offer on the next house. :)

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