Viewings (or lack of).. how many did you have?

[soozm73]

We put our house on the market about a week ago. We've had one viewing who said she was coming back for a second look and one no-show. I am confident the house is well-presented and have had lots of comments from friends who say things like "it will sell in no time". I'm a bit worried the agent has overpriced it though it seems to fit in the right spot compared with other properties on Rightmove. It's quite a big property in a popular village in the SE, so not a fast moving market like London but prices have gone up a lot in the last few years and all the agents say it's a very sought-after location.

What do you think - do you think the level of interest so far makes it sound like it's overpriced? Or am I just stressed and impatient? ;)

Can't comment on price as no idea on the area, and don't believe anything in the details would stop a serious buyer coming to look, if market round you is at all buoyant.

Re estate agent - where I live has bonkers housing market at moment, everything going to sealed bids, best & final offers etc within a week or so of going on market. Exception to this was one property which was with an online agent. Was on market for months, sold very quickly once moved to a "real" estate agent. I would get a different agent if I were you.

Will give it a bit longer but have a think abut changing agents - although it seems odd to me - I would see a house I liked the look of regardless of who the agent was - I will be a good test case for my own theories!

Pinkdelight and others about schools - that is very worrying - the school checker is very wrong. My kids go to the village state primary, it is a 15min walk. I think the last Ofsted (old style) was satisfactory but it is actually considered by all the parents I know to be a lovely and successful school. Our nearest secondary is 2.5 miles away with a regular bus (Ofsted - good).

lovely house.
If I was being picky would say I would rather see photos of the study and 5th bedroom than 2 pictures of a bathroom.

And i agree that the first photo doesn't do it justice.

school checker would probably stop me looking if I didn't know the area.

I don't know the area at all (I live in the North West) and house prices are very different up here.

My house (5 bed detcahed) took 12 months to sell. It was the price that was the problem. I ended up dropping it by £35k and once I did that I was having more viewings than I could cope with. I had over 30 viewings (not including 2nd viewings) and a lot of timewasters over 12 months.

I was due to complete on Friday but it's been put back. Once I move (hopefully next wk) I am NEVER moving again.

Your house is fabulous and you have lovely things. I love that Camping picture in your dining room. The tree on your DD's bedroom wall is lovely too - is it a stick on thing? Anyway, love your house and I agree that it probably takes longer to find the right buyer at that end of the market.

My only comment is that an online agent would put me off a little bit too especially in this price bracket as I would worry that the price is aspirational. Also, it seems a little cheapskate - sorry! I guess I'd be worrying that you were going to use cheap solicitors too and that the whole process would be more complicated than necessary.

I would make sure the school issue is addressed in the description - "within walking distance of the village school and close to X, Y, Z schools" Again, I think it depends who you are marketing to - personally, I haven't used the school checker but my kids are also at a village primary so if I liked the house I would start researching the area, including schools. That would obviously be different in London or another large city/town. I would also mention any notable private schools locally so people can check them out.

going by streetview the 15 minute walk to village is along a road with no pavement or footpath for some of the way? it isnt really a "village location" as it's a good 15 minute walk away and no footpaths for some of it

Gosh yes, I hadn't noticed the 'odd' EA - whilst I know people believe everyone looks for property online these days, I personally think that there are still those that search via more old-school methods. Our EA ensured our rural property was in their two closest branches (small cathedral city and market town) as well as the London office. It was also featured in local specialist property magazines and newspapers.

Selling a similar type/price/size/located property - albeit in Wilts - we had valuations from the smaller local EAs through to Savills etc and went with one that was known to specialise in the higher end properties, despite knowing we could have got away with paying a considerably lower fee to an online EA, we opted for one with more experience in selling our type of house and we weren't disappointed as the service they provided throughout the process was worth every penny.

I do think that the older buyer - and two of our viewers fell into that bracket despite our house being a five bed & 2500 sq ft - expects a certain type of house to be marketed by a more traditional EA - but that's just me!

Definitely get to the bottom of the RM school issue and do list proximity to local independent schools too.....

Lovely home but your agents did a terrible job with pictures and helping you stage. School information also needs to be updated.

For staging your kitchen and bathrooms look cold. I would add some flowers on the island in red/orange and bright towels in the bathroom plus nice accessories by the sink. One bathroom doesn't have window treatments. The DCs bedrooms look alright but I would change the light fixture for something modern. For the dining room I would put a table runner down with 2 or 3 candles. For the spare room, it looks barren. I would use a bright throw/blanket at the bottom of the bed in a jewel colour.

I would keep track of the homes that are selling in your price range. In 3 months you will be able to see exactly which agent sells the most. Also, tell people in passing you have listed your home. Depending on the village tell the local pub or the postmaster/mistress. Ideally both.