Only 3 viewers in 1st week [sadface]

[mumblechum1]

I keep reading that houses are being snapped up so maybe my expectations were too high.

So it went on the market on 7th June. The agents have taken 3 people round, the first wanted to do too much work (extending kitchen) for it to be affordable, the second is new to the area and wants to explore a bit more first, the second didn't respond to the agent's voicemail asking for feedback.

So yesterday we dropped the price by £100k and according to Zoopla the number of page views is still dropping.

Am I being too impatient or should I be panicking? We can afford to drop another £75k but no more.

Helen. I never watch those shows, maybe I should start!

I wouldn't worry Mumble, they'll give you the rage.
A precis would be
'We want 3-4 bedrooms, at least 2 bathrooms, 1 of which should be ensuite - even in a period cottage - a large farmhouse kitchen and a study and he wants a workshop for at least 5 cars that he's doing up (this varies but you get the idea) and we want a formal garden plus several acres for keeping chickens/goats/horses/alpacas/running a campsite and potential to develop a business in outbuilding' They want it to be in one of the most expensive areas but have an idea that 'the country' is always cheap and their budget is most often ridiculously low. Then at the end it turns out that they haven't sold their own place, or they decide to start looking somewhere completely different

I'm generalising of course but it does make me believe viewers look through very critical eyes.

Don't panic! I was only the second person to view my current house, it had been on the market for nearly three months! I bought it without hesitation.

I remember this house. You had a post about the photos and everyone said to change the "selling shot" to one which wasn't the front of the house? but the back which makes me want to move to Henley and get flooded every year/take up rowing

Gorgeous place BUT...

Reducing the house that quickly (as its advertised/obvious on Rightmove) says "desperate". Unless you are, then back away from reducing further
You live in the middle of nowhere, it's going to take longer to sell. Full stop
You live somewhere with Henley in the title, after a winter of shocking pictures, nowhere in your description does it mention flood risk?
Journey times to London from nearest station. It's a 1m+ house, think about your target market here.
Is your back garden really north facing as per the spec? It's lovely.
There's no mention of cellar, utility or downstairs loo in the spec
I'd sack your agent personally

We bought last summer at about the same price yours is on for, although in zone 2. Everything else we looked at sold in 2 days, but ours was on for 6 weeks. So even in the craziness of last year some houses were slow to move.

I also find that houses which are a bit different or unexpected are a bit slower to go, which your house might be suffering from. I'm sure your will go son as you sound like a motivated seller. If not, definitely change agents they sound a bit shit.

Thanks Tread; although the address is Henley we're actually 7 miles away and high up in the Chilterns so zero flood risk. The garden is N facing but because of the size most of it is in the sun at some time of the day.

Hadn't noticed the cellar etc not being mentioned in the spec; I think often the more expensive the house the less detailed the spec!

Hi mumble, we're in a similar position although not quite your price bracket. We have been on since March and have reduced the price by 10%. I think the madness of London has not quite reached the outer parts of the "commuter belt" yet - there is plenty on the market in our village but not much moving, although I am told it is getting better. Hang in there and have a good hard look at your agents….

Mumble, your house is very lovely - when you put it up for chat last week loads of folk didn't like the outside - which I think is really nice

You have very good taste. I don't think you should have reduced it so quick but it's done now and I wouldn't go any lower.

I'm sure you realise that it should have really gone on the market at Easter, lots of folk are just focusing on the long summer break now and not thinking about moving.

[flowers[ Laurie

I got that, but I had to really look for the info

Marketing 1.01 isn't it. Point out the strong points of the property for non locals, starting with "its v close to Henley/Marlow and it's insurable"

Also, not sure how much disposable cash you have floating around but if it is not selling by the summers end, I do think that the front of the house is not v attractive. I saw a Location, location once and a family were being exceedingly picky about area/price but hated the exterior of a property. Whatshisface went off and got architects drawings of a revamped "face" and they changed their minds in seconds. He did a revisit and it was unrecognisable. It went from dated 70's to classic clapboard USA style home. For 250 worth of drawings.

God it's gorgeous

Can you tell me what the fabric is in curtains/cushion in pic 8, please?

You are impatient, and your estate agent sounds crap.

Every viewer can see you have lowered your price, so will assume you are desperate, so will underbid.

Men, this estate agent is crap!

and the Victorian glass house too?!

LTB!

NicestSmile, It'll almost certainly be by Voyage, I do have a bit of a Voyage obsession!

Charleybarley sadly I signed a 12 weeks exclusive deal with the agents. Regretting it now

lovely house in lovely area :)

oh it switched my colon close bracket to a :) !!!!

We have a crap estate agent for MIL house. It has been on the market since January. I don't like the photos and they never give feedback about viewings. BIL knows they have been round because doors left open etc but no feedback. They promised a report and it wasnt forthcoming. I think there was a stupid offer but that was it. BIL gave notice to estate agent last week and low and behold we got a very reasonable offer at the weekend.

What a lovely house

I prefer the pic of the house front, the rear view photo confused me as I couldn't quite work out what was what. however, as the house is about 750k over my budget, my opinion counts for nowt

Good luck!

Mumble I live fairly nearby and have had a similar priced property on the market. The market is slow in this price bracket. We had viewings in week one then none for five weeks. This week we had an offer but we actually decided not to sell. The new mortgage rules and potential rate rises seem to of really scared people off.

Conversely we also considered renting it out at a cost of £5000 PCM and people were queuing up to get it. Would that be an option for you? Release capital with a Let to Buy mortgage, then you are chain free for your next purchase.

Pufflemum, that's really interesting. We probably wouldn't' bother moving at all rather than rent it out tbh, as we don't have a pressing need to move, just want a much bigger garden/land and preferably a period house. But thanks for the suggestion

Surely there's got to be a case for selling houses via Mumsnet!
Mumsnet Estate Agents, we'll tell it how it really is.

Yes, I can see it now - and claim my copyright (and commission) right here

bog standard?!!! Nice bog, but.