Could anyone give their honest opinions on why this house isn't selling?

[ComtesseDeSpair]

It's been on the market for rather a long time and after an initial flurry in the first couple of weeks has attracted relatively few viewings (an average of about one a month) Please be as brutal as necessary, I'm not precious and would really prefer honest opinions. I have my own suspicions and feelings about why, but DH doesn't agree with me. Thanks!

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-23747520.html?premiumA=true

Just spotted this thread. I live nearby and drive past that street most days. It definitely is a highly desirable area and in the catchment for some of the top performing state schools in Scotland. The area is awash with bungalows and therefore they do tend to appeal to young and growing families in this neck of the woods.

I'm a bit addicted to Rightmove [nosy] so quite up to speed with house prices/movement in the area. It's overpriced in its current state. Most young families/couples would see this as a do-er upper which would require some cash to be spent to bring it up to date. I think somewhere between 250-275K would be more realistic.

I think the OPs PILS are stuck in 2007, trading on the posh postcode and school catchment and need a really big reality check. Although people will and do still pay over the odds to live in East Renfrewshire and access the schools, the very fact that it's been on the market for five years says it all really.

Hope you manage to get their fingers out of their ears OP. Mind you if six different estate agents haven't managed it, I don't really rate your chances. Hope it works out.

Spooky, I have a relative who lives in that road.... for the schools etc! T

I know this area and it's definitely very overpriced. And a bit old fashioned. Sorry, I know decor can be changed but as a buyer I want a minimal hassle house.

In your PIL's eyes, the house will be perfectly well presented as it is decorated exactly to their tastes. So they will not want to acknowlege issues with the decor

I've been thinking more about this. I think you need to try to get your PIL to see why people don't think it is worth the price, which is difficult.

The house is clean and well-looked-after. They know this so think it is ready to move in to, so see people making low offers as piss-takers.

If I were to buy this house I would look to reduce the price for the following:

• Kitchen - needs complete replacement and refiguring.

• Bathroom - needs complete replacement

• All rooms with wallpaper - cost of making good the walls after wallpaper removed

• All rooms with fitted units - cost of removal, disposal and making good the walls

• Windows - complete replacement

That list adds up to a large amount quite quickly.

I don't think the garden is that bad for a family, hard standing can be useful to play on with bikes, ride-ons etc. The dining room is a waste of space - I think you could easily market it as a 4 bed. In any case, I think the next owners will probably move the rooms around to make it more livable, so what the rooms are currently being used for is immaterial.

Totally agree with Anne.

Making the dining room into a fourth bedroom is an inspired idea.

I assume they are downsizing, so could they be persuaded to get rid of some of the furniture and other belongings? Maybe even take it off the market for a couple of weeks, have a proper clear out, and market it as a 4-bed?

I've looked online at other properties in the area. Are they aware of what the competition is?

I feel for them, but I feel more for you.

I'm just not sure about the 4th bed thing, I think there's potentially not very much communal space for 4 bedrooms. They should talk to some estate agents before doing that.

Sorry if this has been said, but could you offer to subsidise the mortgage for a fixed term on the condition that they drop the price to, say, a fixed price of £270,000?

As others have pointed out, you would be mad to consider lending money on an open-ended basis to people who have a track record in financial mismanagement, relatives or not.

1. Holiday home- get rid.
2. Use proceeds from 1. to reduce balance of mortgage on current home.

If mortgage now affordable, good. If not, price realistically and sell asap.

You are not going to be able to stop a long track record of financially disastrous behaviour by facilitating it from your own pockets. Easier said than done of course, but families and money are a toxic mix. If you do 'lend' this money, you would be well to prepare yourself for the distinct possibility that you will never see it again.

i havent read anyone elses comments but i would say its over priced. Dont know much about house prices in Glasgow. but i live in East Sussex and this would be priced around late £280,000. i cant see any other reason why its not selling. Personally i would redecorate and change the kitchen but thats my personal taste. Hope you sell it soon

It looks lovely but is that the normal price for a bungalow round your way? seems a hell of a lot.

Apologies if this has already been mentioned but can it be rented out? If schools are that good there must be a market for rented family houses.

Your in laws could rent somewhere smaller or move into the holiday home.

I wouldn't add an extra bedroom.

I'd be tempted to swap the big ground floor bed with the sitting room and the other one with the dining room though. and gut the kitchen because I have that kitchen and I hate it!

I love the g plan furniture!

Could they auction it? In our area auction properties seem to fetch market value rather than the lower values of a few years ago. I don't know the Scottish market at all though.

Alternatively, take it off the market for a month, get a fresh valuation and market report, then try again with the inevitable lower valuation price.

They are going to have to accept that it isn't worth what they want for it. Hopefully they will accept that now and market it realistically, not when you and your DH have also lost money on it.

Renting it out isn't an option is it? The mortgage is coming to an end so they need to pay off the capital (which apparently they can't), re-mortgage (unlikely at their age) or sell. And they need to do this quickly before the mortgage company repossess.