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Original poster

Please could you help with our house!

70 replies

oopnorthmum · 27/10/2013 21:50

Hi all, been for sale since June now and only had 3 viewings! Changed estate agents once and feeling very disheartened now. Please could you take a look and offer any advice.
Thanks :)
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-27619296.html
(sorry, don't know how to do clicky link)

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Original poster
oopnorthmum · 27/10/2013 22:22

Random, in the world now! blimey!! I take it you were from very close to us!
It is huge though, I get lost if I venture off the beaten track :)
We did realise we were more expensive. EA said house worth it just not had right buyer yet Confused. Thought OIRO would have made people realise we would take offers. Suppose we will have to drop price, thanks for all looking.

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Xmasbaby11 · 27/10/2013 22:25

The downstairs looks quite bland and lacking character, especially the kitchen. Can you make it look a bit warmer and friendlier, so people can imagine cooking there, relaxing there? I think the kitchen is a massive selling point for a lot of buyers.

Original poster
oopnorthmum · 27/10/2013 22:26

MisFor, I actually suggested to EA I move cars, silver one is dads, not even ours, he said to leave to show size of drive.

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marriedinwhiteisback · 27/10/2013 22:27

I think the downstairs looks fantastic.

MrsCakesPremonition · 27/10/2013 22:30

It's lovely house. The dining room table look like it's wedged up against the wall so I'd have to pull it out every time we wanted to use it and I can't quite get my head around the kitchen layout. But neither of these things would stop me viewing.

steppemum · 27/10/2013 22:31

well it looks lovely and would have ticked a lot of our boxes when buying.

(where is all you stuff though - does it have amazing storage? Grin)

I am trying to look with a very critical eye. I think your kitchen is big, but it doesn't look it in the photos. Maybe you need something to give scale, eg a vase of flowers on the kitchen window sill?

Other than that it must be either agent or price.

Original poster
oopnorthmum · 27/10/2013 22:31

Thanks married, wish a few potential buyers thought it enough to look. DH going to ring EA tomorrow, gee them up a bit. Only apparently given out 7 lots of details since July. There surely must be more than 7 people looking for 4 bed houses in our area?

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Original poster
oopnorthmum · 27/10/2013 22:34

Thanks mrscakes, the table is up against the wall, there is only 3 of us. Have only had people on the other seats twice! It can be pulled out, it could also be in with the wood burner, this was the original dining room.
Do have good storage steppemum, have a large double cupboard with microwave, toaster kettle etc all in to use in the cupboard, much easier to clean!

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JumpingJackSprat · 27/10/2013 22:39

I think the yellow walls are a little off putting for selling. The downstairs I feel could be a little better staged in the photos. But it is beautiful.

RandomMess · 27/10/2013 22:39

So where would you envisage your dc going to secondary school from there? If I was paying that for a house in that area I'd expect one of the best secondary schools.

bundaberg · 27/10/2013 22:40

wow! it's a lovely house!

wish I lived near you, i'd snap it up

Original poster
oopnorthmum · 27/10/2013 22:45

Random, we are next to Grangefield school, but several of the kids from here go to Ian Ramsey. I went there and DS school is a feeder for there. It is the best around here although there are better in other areas. He is only 3 currently so things may have changed several times by then

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Mandy21 · 27/10/2013 22:48

Hi just one other thing. Your neighbour who sold at £245k seems to have slightly more living space. You seem to have a slightly larger garden room but they appear to have converted part of the garage to a study. Is there anyway you could do that then arrange your 4th bedroom as a bedroom?

Should say its a lovely house!

RandomMess · 27/10/2013 22:48

See that's thing if I was looking to spend that on a house I'd want to be in the catch of one of the best secondary schools - after all that's only what 3 miles away at most?

Original poster
oopnorthmum · 27/10/2013 22:50

thanks bundaberg, we love the house. Only moving to be nearer parents. We are struggling to find houses, even with a much increased budget with room sizes anywhere near similar.

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Original poster
oopnorthmum · 27/10/2013 22:52

I would i part agree with you Random, but there are obviously many people around here who feel the schools are fine/don't look? I have lots of friends who are very happy with them. I also have a few friends who look at nearest school and never look at ofsted etc. Each to there own I suppose

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Original poster
oopnorthmum · 27/10/2013 22:54

Mandy21 our neighbours converted one of the garages. We need our double garage and wouldn't buy a house without one (or where we could add one) Easy to convert if someone else wanted it though. Believe it was less than 10k to do. As I said earlier, DH works from home and needs his office, so cant change to a bedroom. Especially for 3 viewings in 5 months! he would have a fit :)

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RandomMess · 27/10/2013 22:55

I just think it narrows the market of people who would want your house IYSWIM.

BlameItOnTheBogey · 27/10/2013 22:57

Oopnorth, i don't know the area at all but agree with others who have said that the kitchen area should look better than it does. To me it looks a bit sparse and clinical. It needs a big bunch of flowers and a fruit bowl or something to take it out of corporate serviced appartment territory. It IS an amazing space but needs to be made to feel less impersonal.

Mandy21 · 27/10/2013 22:58

Good luck then!

Original poster
oopnorthmum · 27/10/2013 22:58

I do agree, but we have some houses one mile away with same catchment that are currently on the market for £800k upwards. I suppose they may go private though if they can afford those prices here!!

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clam · 27/10/2013 23:00

The only things I would suggest are so minor and petty, that I can't believe they would make much difference. (re-do the photos, move the cars as you originally suggested - people are perfectly well able to judge for themselves that a double driveway in front of a double garage means you can park two cars on there - move the bed away from the wall and turn it so it's not backed onto the window, make the kitchen/diner a little less clinical with rugs and a few accessories etc...

So, it comes back to price and time of year.

RandomMess · 27/10/2013 23:01

Yes I should imagine they would be - after all the private schools are very much about prestige Grin

Original poster
oopnorthmum · 27/10/2013 23:02

Blame and others, I can do some more photos and move the fruit bowl etc. I haven't moved things for the photos, the kitchen is like that, but understand what you mean. Wouldn't have thought that would be enough to stop a viewing though. Eurgh hate this selling lark Sad

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clam · 27/10/2013 23:05

Oh, and am very jealous of the size of those bedrooms. My house is half that size, but twice the price. Envy