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Original poster

Is anyone else trying to sell a house and feels like poking themselves in the eye with a sharp stick?

283 replies

Pinkjenny · 04/05/2011 14:37

House has been on the market since July. We have changed estate agents, which obviously made no difference as it's not a new instruction. Am sick of it all, sick of the pointless viewers, sick of the useless feedback, sick of always being pipped at the post, sick of the market, sick of my house.

OP posts:
Becaroooo · 26/05/2011 17:22

myron Yes. Just have.

SparklePrincess · 26/05/2011 17:49

I would probably try to bid you up another couple of grand but then rip your arm off for it! :)

SparklePrincess · 26/05/2011 17:50

Hey! Congrats Becaroooo! Nice one! :)

SparklePrincess · 26/05/2011 17:51

Hey myron, buy my house instead? Grin

Honneybunny · 26/05/2011 21:03

no mine Grin

SparklePrincess · 26/05/2011 22:07

Anyone? LOL! Grin

Becaroooo · 27/05/2011 07:40

Thanks SP

We accepted less than we wanted tbh but didnt want to lose out on the house we liked. I wonder if we should have rejected the first offer but our buyer is a cash buyer with no chain so didnt want to faff about.

SparklePrincess · 27/05/2011 13:37

Its done now. Its a good offer given their position. :) Just want one of my own now. Its driving me nuts this stress!! :(

sweetkitty · 27/05/2011 21:25

Can I join in? Trying to sell late MILs house (passed away almost 2 years ago), jointly owned by DP and SIL.

Been on the market since last July, probably about 6 viewers no offers. Have reduced the price twice (personally the first price was a joke), it's now 15K cheaper than the identical house next door. Home report has it valued at 10K more than what it is on for.

It's looking quite tired in places especially the kitchen but this is reflected in the price. We don't want to spend anymore money tarting it up, it looks OK as I said a bit tired in places.

We have full planning permission for a much needed extension to our own house but cannot start it until this one is sold.

7to25 · 28/05/2011 02:14

google "burying St Joseph to sell your house"!
I had not heard of this till today when I passed a shop with my friend, an estate agent. "That is where I buy my statues" I didn't know what she was talking about but she said that when she has tried everything and a house does not sell this is what she does.....and it has always worked. she does not always tell the homeowners that they have been "blessed"
I am not making this up, but until I googles it I thought she was!

Honneybunny · 28/05/2011 15:58

7to25. i googled this and have immediately buried my st joseph in the garden. am not normally particularly superstitious, but it certainly won't do any harm...
Grin
funnily enough, when i then was working in the garden this afternoon, and doing some weeding in the borders in the front garden, i found another little buried statue... i know it was not put there by dh, but am sort of suspecting the EA. i patted the statue on the head and returned it to its grave. i am sure two st josephs will do an even better job. will keep you all informed Grin

Greenstocking · 28/05/2011 16:30

If I was superstitious I would try that next time I am moving. But I'm not, so I can't! Smile

SparklePrincess · 02/06/2011 22:09

Well I had another viewer today. Funnily enough I was literally on my way out of the door to cancel my contract with the agents & sign another agent when they called.

The couple came straight round & seemed to like the place, but later feedback was that they'd prefer a house with a second toilet. Hmm The only way they'll get that is by buying a tiny box on the estate!

SCREAM!!!!!!!!! Angry

Original poster
Pinkjenny · 07/06/2011 10:10

We are waiting for feedback on three viewings now. Am sticking my head in the sand and trying not to think about it anymore.

OP posts:
Original poster
Pinkjenny · 07/06/2011 11:04

A no from all three

OP posts:
SparklePrincess · 07/06/2011 16:21

:( Im considering changing agents still. Have had only 3 viewings in almost 3 months. Agent says price is fine. I actually asked them to reduce it to just under the 200k myself to try to generate interest. Had 1 viewing since then. :(

Original poster
Pinkjenny · 07/06/2011 16:35

Sparkle, we have been on the market almost a year. Do you think your expecations are a little high?

OP posts:
Original poster
Pinkjenny · 07/06/2011 16:35

expectations

OP posts:
myron · 07/06/2011 17:50

Houses which are competitively priced in the first place will be the ones to attract viewings in the first place. If the viewings aren't forthcoming, you need to consider reducing the price to tempt the small pool of proceedable buyers out there. It's June, not Nov/Dec when viewings plummet before Xmas.

piranhamorgana · 07/06/2011 20:45

Am joining you on here from my other thread about 3 chains breaking at the last minute.
I am priced as low as I can be without raising suspicion that there are major problems somewhere.
I have accepted an offer,but the chain broke .These buyers still want my house...but no one wants to buy theirs.Same difference ,really.
Owners of houses that I view have not yet accepted how far the market has dropped and a lot are not interested in low offers.
Even if I get a proceed -able offer,I may not be able to afford anywhere big enough for me and 5 dc.At least not even as "big" as the house I am trying to sell.

myron · 07/06/2011 21:38

I do empathise! Our first sale fell through and our 2nd chain broke down but manage to reform within the month but it still took 9 mths altogether from when we first put the house on the market until completion. Both times, we spent less than a month actually on the market before accepting an offer - the rest of the time it was 'off' the market, SSTC and awaiting exchange that either didn't take place or took months! What I meant was that - you will get viewings if people (timewasters included) perceive the price to be a bargain - obviously relative to the competition. In our case, ours was 10% lower than the same type of house down the road even though we had a bigger garden and also 200 yards away from an oversubscribed primary school. Needless to say, our 'competition' took their house off the market due to lack of viewings rather than lower their price to compete (according to our agent) so I guess that they didn't really want to sell. We also made the decision to take the financial hit of relocating without first selling thus paying both mortgage + rent for 9 mths. I understand that most people would avoid this option but it has worked for us. Yes, it's hassle and we are squashed into a relatively small rented house atm but it'll be worth it when we buy as the elusive no chain buyer.

SparklePrincess · 07/06/2011 22:02

Quote myron "Houses which are competitively priced in the first place will be the ones to attract viewings in the first place. If the viewings aren't forthcoming, you need to consider reducing the price to tempt the small pool of proceedable buyers out there."

I agree with you 100% myron. That's what I always say myself. My house is priced 10% lower than the competition too & Im prepared to reduce further to get a sale but the agent doesn't seem to think its necessary as were coming into the busiest time.

Maybe im just impatient!

myron · 07/06/2011 22:57

Actually, I think the busiest time - the traditional spring bounce has passed. I have seen a significant number of price reductions last month (5-10%) and viewings are declining according to the local estate agents. Trust your instincts, reduce further - I bet that you'll get more viewings when you do!

SybilBeddows · 07/06/2011 23:04

the thing about being 'priced as low as I can be without raising suspicion that there are major problems somewhere' - I wonder if this is something that is less on an issue now the market is generally declining?

ie rather than being suspicious, won't potential buyers now just assume you are trying to sell as fast as possible before the market drops further?

kalo12 · 07/06/2011 23:08

I'm trying to buy a house, am in excellent position, no chain and seems to me vendors don't want to sell. houses are over priced been on market for ages with no buyers , some not even any viewers but vendors are not prepared to accept offers.

in any market any house is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. if there's no other offers can you please at leaset consider mine!!
grrr!

I think alot of vendors think that buyers fall in love with houses, but thats only true in a boyount market. anyone who is wanting to buy a house now is moving because they have to, so they can only buy whats available.

I will just put an offer in somewhere else.

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