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Original poster

Trying to sell our property and would welcome some constructive criticism/ Feedback

85 replies

dtyzer · 31/10/2013 11:16

Hi Everyone. I'm new on here, albeit have read previous posts from others. We are going through the dreadful period of trying to sell our property and wanted to try and obtain some additional feedback as to why we have had no viewers at all. We have had the house on the market since the start of August, thinking that we would have had at least a couple of viewings, but since going on the market we haven't had a peep.

Our house is in the middle of a village where the majority of properties are smaller terraced houses so if you were to do a property value on zoopla the average comes out pretty low in comparison to the estate agent valuations.

We had 6 estate agents see the property and went with the top end figure that we had from most of them.

I was wondering if anyone would be kind enough to give their opinion on the matter to see if there is anything more that we could possibly do to help move things along.

The property is listed here www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-27688524.html?premiumA=true

Thanks in advance

OP posts:
LittleRobots · 31/10/2013 11:19

Its nicely presented. Could it be that its priced too high if you've gone with a top figure valuation?

Thewalkingdeadkr · 31/10/2013 11:19

I like it but some of the rooms do look a little bare if I'm honest.
Don't like the toilet next to the washer either.
Is it priced appropriately? I don't know about stuff like that.
Maybe an eight foot stuffed Wolef would help.
(Just joking sorry)

SoupDragon · 31/10/2013 11:23

No viewing to me would say it's over price I'm afraid. There's nothing wrong with the photos that I can see.

HolidayArmadillo · 31/10/2013 11:23

Must be price. It's lovely otherwise.

SoupDragon · 31/10/2013 11:24

And if the agent has failed to get you any viewings at all in 3 months, I would change agents.

mistlethrush · 31/10/2013 11:27

The purple 'feature' wall in the bedroom just emphasises that the fireplace isn't central in the wall - I think if that wall was the same colour as the rest of the bedroom this wouldn't stand out quite as much.

When I looked at the first picture I did wonder whether it was a small semi - as it looks as though the fence is the division between properties, but I can't see how you could alter this sucessfully given the layout of your garden.

Blu · 31/10/2013 11:28

Lots of photos all make it look terribly dark and gloomy, which I am sure it isn't. Big shadows, dark exterior shots...get them to take better photos at a better time of day. And put every light on on the house when they do it.

And then check comparable prices.

Mumzy · 31/10/2013 11:31

The house looks fine but being on an A road would be a big put off for me and you need to lower the price to reflect this massive compromise

throckenholt · 31/10/2013 11:32

We had 6 estate agents see the property and went with the top end figure that we had from most of them.

that is most likely your problem. And the initial photos doesn't do it any favours - can you get a better angle ?

I would take it off the market for a week or two, change agents, lower the price a bit and then put it bak on again. That way it will come up as a new sale not one that has been on for ages.

Poosnu · 31/10/2013 11:32

The photos look absolutely fine. The only thing I wondered about was why there is a fence cutting the front of your house in two - I initially thought it was a semi detached house.

No viewings must mean it is down to price. The search criteria on rightmove means that purchasers with a slightly lower budget (max 300k) might not have your property come up in their search results.

You should discuss your concerns with your estate agent. They can track the number of viewers on rightmove, etc.

timidviper · 31/10/2013 11:33

I was told years ago that if you are getting people through the door but no offers then it is a problem with the house, if you are not getting them through the door then it is a problem with the price or the agent.

Looks like a lovely house although some of the pics look a bit sterile, maybe you have decluttered a bit too much. We had friends lived in Gee Cross years ago, I remember it as being a lovely area.

throckenholt · 31/10/2013 11:36

Looking again - the front picture makes it look like a semi despite the detatched in the title. Why the fence in the front garden ?

Also the streetview link doesn't point to the right place - where is your house in relation to that view ?

LIZS · 31/10/2013 11:37

The playroom (?) looks a bit random tbh , maybe define the space better. Great view. Almost too many pics (lose duplicates and 16 ,18 22 & 24 for example as they don't really add much but raise more questions than they answer, 28 is a better angle than 1), I suspect potential buyers feel they've "seen" it all and don't need to actually visit before dismissing it. Top end price may not be right for this time of year. Can you remove or prune the grass/bushes/weeds by the parking and add some pots to soften the front and patio ?

BatPenguin · 31/10/2013 11:38

Can't offer any advice sorry but your house is lovely! Jealous of your bi fold doors. Nice view too.

GemmaTeller · 31/10/2013 11:39

I know that area quite well.

The inside of your house and the presentation is lovely, two things put me off:

In picture one, from the angle the photo is taken it looks like a one bed terrace with a big fence.

Looking on rightmove, you can get 'bigger' looking houses with more frontage for the same price.

firsttimemama · 31/10/2013 11:39

Nice house - if you don't get people to look it must be too expensive for the area. Since we know the price you have gone with, what was the lowest valuation?

Original poster
dtyzer · 31/10/2013 11:39

Hi Everyone and thankyou for your quick reponses.

Ill work my way through the list :)

LittleRobots - I agree and have discussed the value with the agent on two occasions. They still believe the property to the right price. I do think we will be dropping the price slightly to see if that makes a difference. We have found the one property that we would like to buy so need to sell within a certain bracket.

Thewalkingdeadkr - I also agree. We had several of the rooms redecorated and instead of going for personal tastes we thought to keep them more of a blank canvas. We have added more to these rooms since the photos and have requested that new photos be taken. For example the Play Room has been redone with a new kids sofa and furniture making more use of the room. The second bedroom photo is taken at an angle that doesn't show the in built wardrobes or coloured furniture that suites our little lads tastes.

Soupdragon, Holiday Armadillo - I agree and again will consider a price reduction.

mistlethrush - We also redecorated the bedroom painting the chimney breast white and moving the feature wall to behind the bed. We chose a better bedroom colour, but again with this image it doesn't really represent the room well. The bed is a super-king so actually makes the room look smaller, plus we have added more nik naks to the room to make it more homely. finally the bedroom furniture which I think makes the room is also not shown.

OP posts:
BadRoly · 31/10/2013 11:46

Probably a very minor thing but the floor plans don't show doors into the playroom or bedroom 4? Would agree with the purple wall/white fire surround exaggerating the offset fireplace. Also agree that it is almost too bare!

When we last moved, floor plans were a big part of the initial short listing as we were moving a long way and had limited time for viewings.

Original poster
dtyzer · 31/10/2013 11:46

Hi again

Keeping up with everyone's responses is harder than first thought. I reply and more messages fill in.

I would just like to add that I really appreciate everyones comments and actually do agree with the majority, i.e. price and the front view photo etc.

I know a couple of asked why we have the fence situated at the front. the reason for this was actually in keeping of how it was originally albeit the fence was a wall. Its not shown on the photographs bit we have an area behind the fence that's patio and catches the morning sun perfectly. we had the fence put in place for the privacy and to make the most of the outside space. As we have the old cobbled path next to us (treacle brow its called) it can leave us open to prying eyes so added the fence.

OP posts:
overmydeadbody · 31/10/2013 11:46

I don't think it is the decorating or furniture that is not getting people in. I think it is the price.

firsttimemama · 31/10/2013 11:46

If I bought the house the first thing I would do is take down that fence in the front and push it back to the corner of the house.

BadRoly · 31/10/2013 11:47

Ah see this is why I should read replies properly and not skim read Blush ignore the fire place and 'stuff' comments at made Grin

Original poster
dtyzer · 31/10/2013 11:49

Hi GemmaTeller - I also agree with that. The other issue we have is the front door was made especially when we renovated the property about 8 years ago. That and the large windows actually make the house and the front seem smaller.

OP posts:
steppemum · 31/10/2013 11:49

Well, it all looks lovely except for 2 things

  1. the main photo of the outside. Makes the house look small, and roofless! You need a much better WoW me photo.
  1. Your lounge in the photos looks small, but from the floor plan it isn't, I suspect it needs a new photo, or re-arranging.

I think you need to ignore the EA. He gave you a top end price, but the other 5 didn't. I would be listening to the other 5.

SoupDragon · 31/10/2013 11:49

I agree and have discussed the value with the agent on two occasions. They still believe the property to the right price

So what is their excuse for not getting anyone through the door?

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