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Property/DIY

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Original poster

Difficult house to sell - long sorry!

82 replies

MrsApplepants · 18/04/2012 17:42

DH's job has moved 300 miles away, so we need to move badly. Currently he lives in hotels Monday to Friday, paid for by his employer for the time being but they will only do this for the next couple of months and then we will have to find him somewhere to rent.

Unfortunately, paying this rent as well as our current mortgage is going to be really tight financially (as well as the effect on our relationship of him being away so much) so we are desperate to sell. House been on market for 2 weeks, 3 views in first few days, nothing since.

Trouble is, while it is a really great house; very spacious 4 double bed character detached with parking, large garden, summerhouse and double garage, it's on a busy A road, with constant traffic noise in the day, although dead quiet at night. Otherwise, good location, outskirts of pretty Kent village, in catchment of excellent secondary school, lots of good local primaries and good commute to London.

We've priced it well, we are after speed, not greed! We do have some room to drop if necessary. Similar properties but in a quieter location command 125K more, so the price has def taken the road into acccount. There's not much else in the area at the price the house is at and the location is popular.

I don't think the issue is price, it's this dratted road. I just don't think anyone's ever going to buy it.

I know it's only been 2 weeks but I'm really worried that this is going to be a millstone round our necks, both financially and emotionally.

Thanks for reading, any support, suggestions gratefully received!!

OP posts:

OctopusSting · 18/04/2012 20:39

Sorry, i didn't mean to be rude, just what 'sprang to mind' . It is a very blank canvas IMO. Now i know that people ask for this, but actually it may be a tad too far? I think a few 'homey touches' or different coloured rooms might just 'pep' the picture gallery up a bit and help people imagine a family living in it?

It is a period house, but somehow this doesn't come across in the pics. Especiallly the porch

Original poster

MrsApplepants · 18/04/2012 20:44

Hmmm, will think about gates, space in front garden is quite awkward as slopes ( not sure if this clear from pics) am sure I can figure out something.

There's nothing to hide upstairs! It's all fresh, recently decorated and tidy, will get on to agent about more photos.

No issues with changing name of family room, I think EA has called it that as its arranged as an informal living room/ playroom with rocking horse, toy shop, massive dolls house, etc etc. not messy, just there, although I could move these for a new photo I suppose. I thought there should be a pic of the bathroom too, as it's quite nice, I do really need to get on to the EA don't I?!

OP posts:

FoofFighterYNWAJFT96 · 18/04/2012 20:49

yes you need photos of all the rooms. if the EA isn't willing remind them who is paying them!

fresh · 18/04/2012 20:52

Take your point about hedges cutting light to downstairs, but I was thinking more of something less solid which would just 'blur the edges' a bit, like a small ornamental tree. All it needs is to just give the impression of something shielding you from the road in the pictures, so that you stood a better chance of getting people in to view. And agree about a gate.

DowagersHump · 18/04/2012 20:52

I think it looks like a lovely house but it's seriously weird that there are no photos at all of the upstairs - why not? And as someone else said, two pics of the kitchen (which are from almost the same vantage point) is odd.

The pics are not very good at all.

I would also try and do something with the exterior - put some troughs with pansies or something in them along the front fence (I wonder if that's why they put the photo of the front door - because there are flowers in pots either side?) and out the back on the decked area. Is that big enough to sit on? Can you put a table and chairs out there? The fact that it is enclosed would be a big plus for people with young children.

And two shots of the summerhouse, both from a distance, are a bit bonkers.

I'd get rid of your EA or tell them to get a new photographer!

OctopusSting · 18/04/2012 20:52

Homely FFS!

Yes, i do think the pics could do more to show it off and I would bin 1, 2, 6 and 8 and replace with better/non-repeat photos. Mind you, i always look at the floorplan, which looks great to me.

Original poster

MrsApplepants · 18/04/2012 20:53

Octo, do you think some brighter cushions/ throws would do the trick, I just can't face repainting!! The hall stairs and landing has cream tongue n groove with a pale green above and vintage pictures on walls. The family room has a damson/ heathery coloured chimney breast with deep brown chesterfield sofa so there is colour in the house. But no one can see it as no pics, def talking to EA tomorrow ( sorry thinking out load a bit now!)

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Pannacotta · 18/04/2012 20:54

It's a lovely house but I do think it lacks a little kerb appeal.
The front door looks too modern and the fact the fencing doesnt run all the way across the front of the property could be a bit off putting.
I think it might be worth changing the door and putting in some hedging or contining the fencing so it creates a barrier from the road.
Hedging would also soften the noise, even if its low so it doesnt make the house dark.
And yes get the agents to add pics of bedrooms.

DowagersHump · 18/04/2012 20:57

Actually I wonder if you've priced it too low. I've had a look and there is nothing 4 bed on the market within three miles of you that's under 550.

I'm always a bit suspicious of places that are way too cheap

Original poster

MrsApplepants · 18/04/2012 21:00

Dowager, outside decking (not the bit in front of summerhouse) is massive, had party with 40 odd people sitting on it! Must def make more of that, as you say.

The EA told me that when people call they are making it clear that house is in busy road, to avoid wasting the buyers time and ours but I'm half thinking that if she didn't do this people might view and then like the house enough to compromise on road, but as it stands they might be ruling it out straightaway. What do you guys think? It's tricky!

OP posts:

OctopusSting · 18/04/2012 21:04

No, you DEFINITELY do not need to repaint, but pics of other rooms with some colour would add some 'balance' i think. You could change brown rug/throws and add coloured curtains in the lounge, but actually would not be needed if there were colour elsewhere.

I have to agree with Pannacotta about the front door, but you might get away with it by just binning the front porch pic.

Dowager may also have a point.....

Pannacotta · 18/04/2012 21:05

I think you have a point, if the agent raises it when people call then he/she might put people off who might be interested once they see the house.
If its on an A road then anyone calling to view it will know this. Nom need for the agent to state the obvious.
I think in your shoes I might look for another agent. From the pics and what you say, they are not up to scratch.
Also I think it may be underpriced as Dowager says.
If you can primp it from the front and get better pics I reckon you could ask more....

hugglymugly · 18/04/2012 21:08

I think you should go back to your agent and insist on a much better set of photos. The photos really aren't selling the house at all well, even though the sitting room and kitchen look lovely. The floorplan is useful (and I agree with renaming the family room to dining room/study), but it's impossible to see if the rest of the house matches the sitting room and kitchen, as those are the only rooms shown.

I'm a bit sceptical about your EA as well. If it's really the case that the road is the issue, then they should be creative enough to turn that into an advantage, e.g. "easy access for commuting". If they've had lots of enquiries, I'd wonder if people are looking for more visual info about the rest of the house, but as there aren't any more photos they might be going away wondering what it is you don't want to show.

Original poster

MrsApplepants · 18/04/2012 21:08

The only period feature left in house are fireplace in living room, porch and front door (but not porch door) and small fireplace in one of the bedrooms. I think anything else went a long time ago, certainly before we moved here.

I will plant some larger shrubs along the front fence, (enjoy gardening when have time!) there are already lots of roses there but they won't be out until summer, trouble is, plants take so long to grow, apart from leilandii and I don't want that!!

OP posts:

OctopusSting · 18/04/2012 21:10

My sister has just bought on a busy road as the 1930's 'space' was way in excess of anything else on the market for the money. If the price includes the 'busy road' discount (which it sounds like it does) then the agent need not be OTT about pointing out the road.

DowagersHump · 18/04/2012 21:16

Oh that's ridiculous telling people it's on a busy road! Most people find potential properties via Rightmove which includes a map - anyone can see that!

There is a house on the market on Hartley Road which is the same A road as you are on but on the market for 100k more and it's not nearly such a pretty house. I wonder if it would be worth one of us ringing your mutual agent to see if the road is the first thing they tell any potential buyers about that house

Original poster

MrsApplepants · 18/04/2012 21:16

Come to think of it I would be a bit suspicious if a house seemed a bit cheap but i suppose we thought the road would explain this. But I also am afraid of appearing greedy and would bite the hand off a buyer wanted to price for today's market

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Pannacotta · 18/04/2012 21:16

A row of Portuguese laurel would look the business, see if you can get a wholesale nursery to sell you a shed load.
I would also add a large bays in pots either side of the door, rather than the pansies (these could go in the back garden).

HAve a look at this website of inspiration in terms of kerb appeal and its importance.

And I really do think you need to have words with your agent, or get a better agent.

Pannacotta · 18/04/2012 21:17

sorry
www.backtofrontexteriordesign.com/gallery.html

Original poster

MrsApplepants · 18/04/2012 21:21

Yes, I will make a list of all these points and take them to EA on fri. DH has a day off on fri and so I will take him with me as I am a wuss less assertive than him!

OP posts:

Original poster

MrsApplepants · 18/04/2012 21:25

Great link, inspiring! Thank you!

With DH being away all week, I have too much time alone sitting and worrying about things, it's really hard. He is working long hours do doesn't have much energy to put into it all. Now at least I've got an action plan!

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LaGrenouille · 18/04/2012 21:28

You could just email the points to them, from what I have seen they normally market the houses quite well.

Love that link panacotta. I'm amazed actually and want to transform my garden path after seeing that.

Original poster

MrsApplepants · 18/04/2012 21:33

I know this is a silly question, but do potted ornamental (expensive) plants get pinched often? I've often thought about bay trees but was put off by that thought.

OP posts:

BulletProofMum · 18/04/2012 21:33

We bought a house very close to the m3 last year. It had been on the market for a long time. I've often thought about what were by biggest concerns and input from the estate agent at the time.

The agent should make a big deal of the saving due to the road. Everyone has to compromise somewhere for the house of their dreams. For us road dwellers is the road. The trick is to get potential buyers to feel that before they've been put off by the road.

Assuming that the house is well insulated internally, make sure the agent is always there before the buyer so they are not waiting outside listening to it.

Make sure the agent has prepared (full on prepared) any potential buyers. It's not a case of trying to get as many through the door Nd glossing over the road. They need to be explicit about the road so they are not surprised otherwise it's wasting everyone's time.

5ofus · 18/04/2012 21:36

Agree it needs to look better from the road - back views are fab, but from the front not so much. I really like it though!

I'm now off to spend the rest of the evening on that exterior design link...

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