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Original poster

Trying to sell - Critique my house!

117 replies

WhoLivesInAHouseLikeThis · 31/03/2011 13:07

House has only been on the market a couple of months but I have seen a wreck I love and want to get moving (so to speak).

We have had about 8 people around and feedback has been very non-specific so I'm after honest opinions on my rightmove ad. I have namechanged so as not to out myself but am fairly regular here.

Thanks,

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-32555795.html

I do have a man coming at the weekend to repaint the front of the house and the downpipe as I know it looks a bit tatty.

OP posts:
NorbertDentressangle · 31/03/2011 14:40

My first reaction (before reading other replies) is that the photos aren't very good. They just seem to show a small corner of each room suggesting that the rooms are so tiny the photographer can't get a decent picture IYSWIM.

That might put people off viewing

Francagoestohollywood · 31/03/2011 14:43

I wouldn't care less about the blind (which is pretty) if I were to view your house, which has a lovely feel to it (I like the floor in the living room!).

As I said, my main concern as a buyer would be the real structural conditions of a house, rather than the deco.

LessNarkyPuffin · 31/03/2011 14:46

It's amazing how easily buyers are put off by decor. I know it shouldn't matter. It does.

LessNarkyPuffin · 31/03/2011 14:50

It might just be a trick of the light, but is the garden wall at the front in need of repointing? It looks a little odd in places.

thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 31/03/2011 14:51

Couldn't agree more Lessnark - although you get a few loons like me who'll buy any old wreck overlooking how much work is involved with a 'lick of paint' Wink

LessNarkyPuffin · 31/03/2011 14:53

And, as everyone else has said, the hedge is rather out for world domination. It needs to be lower and seriously cut back towards the boundary.

People can make up their minds about a house before they ever set foot inside.

LessNarkyPuffin · 31/03/2011 14:55

I know. It's nuts but people don't always see the 'bones' of the house. To be put off by paint colour is Confused but it happens.

LessNarkyPuffin · 31/03/2011 14:56

Although the fun starts when you strip off the paper and the plaster comes too Grin

MollieO · 31/03/2011 15:01

If I was house hunting your house wouldn't make it on my list. Reason is I'd wonder why there isn't a decent photo of the kitchen or living room (or is your living room very small?) and no photos of bedrooms or bathroom. Lots of mentions of upvc double glazing. Why? It's enough to mention once that the house is fully double glazed yet it is mentioned also with every single window.

If there are other agents who present properties better in your area then I would be looking there first. Most buyers are lazy and there is no excuse for this poor style of presentation on the Internet. If I were you I'd bs very cross with the agent. Buried in the description is mention of a claw foot bath. I know what that is and think that is a selling point. Why doesn't your agent think the same?

cybbo · 31/03/2011 15:12

Those are awful pictures! Get them redone! I dont want to see your table cloth, I want to see the room

I'm sure someones said it but clean your kitchen window

GrendelsMum · 31/03/2011 15:29

Oh what shocking photos! Those are just hilariously dreadful. I bet the house is quite nice underneath all that, but you can't see any of it.

Alouiseg · 31/03/2011 15:37

Can you put a neutral/cream rug down in the sitting room? It looks neat and tidy but cold and bare. I'd like to see a picture of the bathroom and an explanation of the structure at the end of the garden.

minipie · 31/03/2011 15:37

Hmmm. Your agent has been really lazy IMO.

Photos are dreadful as others have mentioned. Get them redone - the agent needs a wide angle lens or at the very least to stand in a place where they can get as much of the room into the photo as possible.

The descriptions are like some sort of inventory rather than a description of the room. They need redoing, focusing on good features. For example the playroom description "Spacious and bright sunroom/playroom with good storage" instead of "UPVC and brick construction with UPVC windows to rear elevation" (WTF?).

A floorplan would help loads.

I don't think it's your house tbh. I think it's your agent.

Alouiseg · 31/03/2011 15:39

Sorry, meant to say a larger, softer rug. I can see you have a rug but it makes the room look smaller than it is.

LadyWellian · 31/03/2011 16:06

I agree that we need to critique your agent rather than your house.

  • diabolical photos
  • would be really put off by no photos of bathroom or bedrooms
  • really pedestrian descriptions that make it sound like the whole house is made of UPVC
  • No floorplan - WTF is that about?

When I was house-hunting I would look at a) the map and b) the floorplan before deciding whether to make the effort to look at the photos. And actually I didn't often read the descriptions at all.

It's really hard to critique your actual house when so little of it is visible. Though I do think the focus on the two doors at the end of the playroom is very odd and puts me in mind of a pub toilet. (Sorry! It's really about the photos again.)

cece · 31/03/2011 19:58

These are you r competition with your agent.

lightly better photos

similar awful picture of kitchen

I agree change agents.... They seem to be pretty poor with their other clients too.

Grockle · 31/03/2011 20:41

House looks good but I agree with the others:

  • Photos are dreadful: I do not want to buy your Ikea chair or the rug - I want to see what the house is like.
  • Floorplans are a must
  • I would want to see at least 1 bedroom and the bathroom as well as the rooms shown
  • Take the stuff off the top of the cupboards in the kitchen
  • Declutter the room with 2 doors (where do they go?)
mylovelymonster · 31/03/2011 21:06

I think it looks lovely, and it has a garage!! Too quiet about that in the details. Agree 120% about the photos, and maybe take the pictures off the nice wooden doors in the conservatory.
Again, floorplan. Why does your agent not do??
Good luck!

RambleOn · 01/04/2011 01:19

Is it usual to have 'offers in xs of' in your area. It's fairly rare in mine, and it's a real put-off for me. (I'm currently a buyer and these properties have proved to be vendors expecting top dollar when every other vendor is priced to accept 10% under asking).

Agree the photos are rubbish, and don't seem to show your house to its best.

Also agree re floorplans - essential I'd say.

Good luck.

dolceebanana · 01/04/2011 10:03

The house has great 'bones' as it were, however, I don't think the agents pictures do it justice. I feel you should address the following, as I am a firm believer in dressing a house to sell;

front exterior:
ensure windows clean and paintwork at front neat and newly painted

pull up blinds to allow more light and make house seem welcoming from outside

trim back hedge at front

have one great big pot filled with one type of spring flowers (huge tub of narcissi or some such) but has to be big

interior:
inside looks mostly good but would clear worktops in kitchen and have few well chosen things on display, and fresh flowers in one room (living room)
make sure beds made neatly

rear garden:
dismantle swing/climbing frame and take out washing line whilst viewings take place
I really would ask the agents back to take new photos once you've addressed a few things...all the best!

Gonzo33 · 01/04/2011 11:51

If I am frank I think you need to sack your EA and find a better one.

A good agent will take decent pictures. Write up a decent review and give accurate room measurements (within reason) at the very least. I would expect a floor plan as well, especially if you are paying them the going rate, which I understand to be in the region of 1.5% still.

bibbitybobbityhat · 01/04/2011 11:57

Sorry, op, I know its not a joke to you but I am actually laughing at how bad those pictures are.

The dining table for starters - didn't he/she think to move the magazine?

Sidge · 01/04/2011 11:59

The photos are appalling.

I don't want to see your lovely chair in your lounge, 2 doors in a conservatory (I'm guessing) or a flash reflected in a window, I want to see the rooms.

(I know where you live Wink) where are you hoping to move to?)

LittleJennyRobyn · 01/04/2011 15:02

Yes agree with everyone else those photos are bad and not enough of them, My first thought was why am i only seeing part of the room??, doesn't do your house any justice. We need to see upstairs too!!

Also floorplans are a big must.

I Am thinking about moving at the moment, but the kind of property/areas we want are quite expensive for a 4 bed, so am looking at large 3 beds with an extra room somewhere which could be converted to a bedroom....if there are no floorplans then i move on to the next property.

Decor looks fine to me

sweetkitty · 01/04/2011 15:37

Agree completely with everyone else photos are shocking.

I would do a major declutter get rid of a lot of the toys etc, also your chair in your living room window.

Agree about taking down the slide when there are viewings, trim back hedge and tart up the front garden a bit.

I think once you get decent photos and ones of upstairs and the bathroom you should be able to sell no problem.

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