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Original poster

Help me sell my house!

34 replies

cupcake78 · 08/03/2013 09:29

Before I die from housework and stress.

House been on market for a year. Have had near 30-40 viewings. All feed back has been good such as we love the house, its well priced, it has a good garden etc.....a few negatives which are beyond our control.

Yet no second viewings or offers! Agents are doing there best for us. Marketing is good, pics are clear. House is spotless and clutter free to the point I get compliments on how do I do it with kids work etc.

What more do I need to do? I'm 24 wks pregnant and its seriously getting to me now. I don't want to be doing this with a newborn baby a 5yr old and a dh who is always at work!

OP posts:
MrsBucketxx · 08/03/2013 09:30

link?

Original poster
cupcake78 · 08/03/2013 09:33

A bit worried about link as don't want to be outed if I'm honest about it. Should have maybe name changed.

We've had over 8000 viewings on rightmove.

OP posts:
MrsBucketxx · 08/03/2013 09:36

how many through the door, we had over 30 at our last home and took nearly a year to sell.

it can take a while I'm afraid.

motherofvikings · 08/03/2013 09:40

How is it priced compared to houses in the area?

Ours was the cheapest in the area and still didn't go for anywhere near asking price - so I'm guessing the other houses ha inflated asking prices as ours was pretty good in comparison to a lot of similar ones in the area.

A link would be helpful nosy

motherofvikings · 08/03/2013 09:41

Ours was on the market from August till Tuesday this week. We have had probably 100 viewings nearly.

Going multiagency really helped - an the fee isnt that much more than single agency. :)

Anja1Cam · 08/03/2013 09:50

What are the negatives? My sister tired to sell her super lovely renovated, super energy efficient house (they had redone it from scratch for themselves really high (german) spec, then a change in circumstances meant they had to leave it Sad). It was a family home in an area with crap schools. In the end they had to accept a near-ridiculous offer, and that was after holding out for about a year too. Meanwhile they kept it looked after and heated even though they had left the country...

Anja1Cam · 08/03/2013 09:51

Oops: TRIED to sell of course...

Mintyy · 08/03/2013 09:52

I'm not sure what you think Mumsnet can do for you?

Original poster
cupcake78 · 08/03/2013 09:52

Almost 40 through the door. House is priced slightly less than others in area and we make it known we want to move, are open to offers and have found other houses we like so we are well prepared to go. Even started packing some things just incase I'm 9mths preggers and having to pack.

I know you all want a link but I'm not putting it up on here, sorry.

OP posts:
Original poster
cupcake78 · 08/03/2013 09:57

Our estate never has any trouble been here 12 yrs and only one burglary. Primary schools are fine, senior schools also match with others locally. We aren't near the best school but this is reflected in the prices where we are.

We live in a safe small cul de sac not built up. All houses have drives, front and back gardens.

OP posts:
Original poster
cupcake78 · 08/03/2013 09:58

Minty just want ideas of how to get it sold. Am I missing something?

OP posts:
AllBellyandBoobs · 08/03/2013 10:07

Well from what you say, it's priced right, in a nice area, well presented, well maintained... You either need to be more patient or drop the price. Are the estate agents busy at the moment? How many houses going SSTC per week? What do they suggest you need to do?

NotADragonOfSoup · 08/03/2013 10:12

It's not really possible to give help blind.

Frequent viewings but no offers/second viewings means the price is wrong, it doesn't live up to the photos, there is something wrong with the area, something that isn't shown in the photos

GinAndSlimlinePlease · 08/03/2013 10:13

hmm, not helpful mintyy!

OP, it might be with changing estate agents. Some are just a bit shit! I had one who kept showing me the opposite of what I wanted! a good estate agent will make sure they're getting the right buyers through your door. If you don't want to change agents, work really hard with them. call them regularly, be out for viewings, sit down and have a good honest chat about what the feedback is. ensure your agent is getting verbal feedback from every single viewer.

I assume you've already decluttered, done small diy jobs, have a shiny front door, maintained gardens etc?

BerthaTheBogCleaner · 08/03/2013 10:21

You either need to be more patient or drop the price. This.

How does your asking price compare with sold prices in your area? There are a dozen houses in our village that have been on the market a year (or two, or three) and don't sell. They probably all think they're priced right because they compare themselves with each other. But similar houses come on at 20% less and sell quickly. You can tell when a seller is serious cos they keep dropping their price till it sells.

Unless there is something really obvious, like the whole house is bright pink or the neighbours are dreadful or the third bedroom is accessed through the second.

Namechange and give us a link, gwan ...

Anja1Cam · 08/03/2013 10:21

What NotADRagon said. On paper you are doing everything right. We can't help. You still have not told use the negatives that are out of your control. Horrendous neighbours might be a biggie for example.
What's the general market like? Houses here tend to sell inside a month on the whole, for example. Are there other houses like yours - can you search on zoopla (I think) to see recent sales in your area and what they went for?
Can you show us inside pictures maybe, not the EA link.

What people/potential buyers say to your face and what they actually think can be two very different things too.

flatbread · 08/03/2013 10:22

Do you have a floor plan online? Is it clear from the description/floorplan the size of the house and rooms?

Is your garden north facing?

flatbread · 08/03/2013 10:25

Also, think of incentives. Instead of dropping your price by, say, £10k, why not offer the attractive car in the driveway as part of the deal.

There are always suckers who love to think they are getting a 'bargain' Grin

Original poster
cupcake78 · 08/03/2013 10:34

Negatives have been, no downstairs toilet (well why come and look then?!). Drive was too long, for others that has been a benefit. Too much of a family area (3 bed semi in a cul de sac, there will be families!). Garage isn't attached to house it next to it. That's been it really.

It's on for £125k other houses are on for £127. We dropped it in Jan from £127-£125 most go for £125k we would accept £110-£115k but would ideally like as much as we could get.

Agent is being good, get feed back everytime. Were always told who is precedable before they come. I speak to them regularly, we have done everything they have suggested . They don't know why it's not selling, say its just waiting for the right person. Happy with them, they are selling other houses in our area.

OP posts:
mumat39 · 08/03/2013 10:37

Hi there.

I know some estate agents are a bit naughty when it comes to doing viewing of properties which are not suitable for prospective buyers. For example every time I've moved, estate agents have always said 'ooh there's a lovely property which you should look at' even though it might be in the wrong area or more than we can afford.

Have you changed agents? One of my neighbours was with one for about 18months, decided to change to a new estate agent and the house was sold on the first viewing. Some agents are better at matching prospective buyers to properties. A independent one might also be better than a big name one if they have more experience in the area.

Apologies if all this is obvious.

phil spencer - secret agent is often on on one of the cable channels and it might be worth trying o catch that to see if he has any tips.

Also, if you look on zoopla, you'll be able to search on your postcode or area, to see what other properties in your area have sold for. Feels a bit nosy but it info that's in the public domain.

Hope this helps a bit. Good luck with this and your pregnancy.

claudedebussy · 08/03/2013 10:41

as others have said:

  • check sold prices
  • change agents
  • ask for new photos

and if still no joy, drop price a little

mumat39 · 08/03/2013 10:44

Sort of cross posted with you OP, but it does sound like the agent aren't maybe being clear about things like family area, no downstairs loo etc.

ILikeBirds · 08/03/2013 10:45

If i saw a house that had been dropped from 127 to 125 I'd be inclined to think that the sellers are really holding out. I would presume they wouldn't accept an offer of say 117 at all.

2k drop is not really a drop imo, it doesn't introduce any new buyers with a lower price bracket.

flatbread · 08/03/2013 10:46

Hmm, it is a tough one.

How many houses in your price range have gone under offer in the last two months in the general vicinity?

mumat39 · 08/03/2013 10:49

That's a good point Bird.

OP, could they advertise your house with 120k ONO ?

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