How soon did you start to get viewings?

[Sooperswooper]

Our house went on the market early last week (right move, local paper, in the EA window etc) having had 4 valuations of exactly the same, plus assurances that our house would be snapped up within days due to demand in the area etc etc (i did take all of this with a big pinch of salt!). However, zero interest whatsoever. Not even a phone call or enquiry to the EA. People though probably just my friends and family have been looking on right move but it seems to go no further.

Very similar houses have sold recently in the area for the asking price so there is demand - unless of course the demand has now been satisfied! The EA we went with said that they had a big list of potential people that would be interested, but that hasn't materialised.

I realise that it's only been on for a week, but still, i would have expected a little nip of interest? Happy to be told that my expectations are far too high and I need to relax about it

[Sooperswooper]

One of the reasons for instructing this particular EA was that the fee was 1% and there was no minimum tie in length in the contract- only 7 days courtesy notice. The other one that we considered was 1.25% & 8 week tie in contract.

True. I'll speak with them again tomorrow and ask what their marketing plans are after the disappointing first week and a bit!

[itdc]

I think the summer weather and holiday season is also another considering factor. During the late may bank holiday week, we don't have a single viewing although before and after that week we have average 5-10 viewing per week.

[allovertheworld]

Joining thread as we're in a similar position to you OP; house on market just over a week ago and only 3 viewings - we expected many more from other reports about the market where we are (London). We also have two very similar properties on the market on our street (literally two doors down) so am wondering if they absorbed some of our demand by going on market first.

Our first viewing was 5 days after the house went live on websites etc. Crestfallen is exactly how I feel, too.

[Sooperswooper]

Perhaps we've just missed the boat. Last night people were saying that in general, families would have found a house and be ready to exchange at least by now due to schools etc. However, due to our location, the EAs all pressed that it would also appeal to older people who might be downsizing. Covering all bases I suppose.

Allover, have you had any feedback from your viewings? What have your EAs said?

[allovertheworld]

Haven't had specific feedback yet - we were away last week (had hoped they would be able to get lots of viewings in while it was empty) and agreed we'd catch up with specifics next week (ie tomorrow) since I didn't want to be having detailed chats about the faults in our house while on holiday.

Our market is young professionals and BTL investors, so shouldn't be a family issue. Part of me believes the EA that this summer is just much slower compared to last, even compared to earlier this year. I thought things would pick up after the General Election (been looking since about March and also finding that not much is coming on the market) but perhaps people are waiting to see details of new housing policy/budget speech on July 8?

[GiddyOnZackHunt]

Have you looked at the price estimate on Zoopla? We had problems because next door had been repossessed and despite being the same basic house as ours it had a much lower 'current value' on Zoopla which made it look like ours was over priced (it wasn't). Zoopla's algorithm for estimating prices is very simple and it can present a skewed view.

[Postchildrenpregranny]

DD1 has had offer accepted at £7500 less than guide price (2 bed flat SELondon) It had been on market 2 weekends when she looked at it first time ;I don't know how many viewings they had and how soon but I know they had three offers (hers was the middle-she is first time buyer) .
Property is certainly moving quickly near us but an elderly neighbours 3bed semi ( very nice area and house has potential) went on market recently (£330000)and didn't seem to have 'immediate' viewings but sold in three weeks ..suspect for more than asking price.2similar houses in neighbouring streets have gone quickly too .You need only 1buyer after all..Yes I am nosy(and at home most days) but also was friend of said neighbour and anxious for it to sell as her beneficiary needs the money .
I don't think you should get too worried .We downsizers tend to take our holidays now ,before the schools break up ,so you may get more interest soon

[Sooperswooper]

Giddy - our estimate on Zoopla is way out- we have a funny mix of flats and suchlike on this road, so I wonder if that is contributing. Thank you, PCPG! That is reassuring and I do realise that I am very early on in the process.

However, we have a viewing today at 2pm! I am going to hold off talking to the EA until after the viewing when we can get feedback and I can use this to discuss with them what their strategy will be and how they managed to get this viewing arranged. Allover- I hope you get some constructive feedback and that your EAs have managed to garner some more interest over the weekend.

[Pantone363]

From the perspective of a buyer please check the estate agents are actually passing on messages!

We've repeatedly called about some houses and the agents say oh yes we'll arrange a viewing and then just don't call back. It's infuriating!

[Sooperswooper]

No way! That's terrible pantone. Makes me almost think that we should have gone with Purple Bricks in the end because at least we'd be in charge (as it were) of arranging the viewings and making sure that we got back to people.

I was thinking that, actually, if it doesn't seem to be getting much interest through an EA, whether it would in fact be worth doing it ourselves through something like Tepilo or PB. Both dh and I would be comfortable dealing with the negotiations and solicitors ourselves. However, I'm not sure from a buyers perspective. I was also put off by the fact that potential viewers have to go through a registration process online if they want to view, so think as has been rightly said on previous threads, that it probably works better in a city and perhaps a slightly different market than what we have here.

[Pantone363]

Honestly im tempted to drop a note through some of the houses to let them know we've been trying to get a viewing!

[Sooperswooper]

Right, feedback from the one viewing was apparently surprise at how nice it is on the inside

Obviously I have emailed the EA to ask what exactly that means- whether it's because the photos that have been taken are not representative of the property "in person" as it were. Rather than post the link (which I might end up doing once I've prepared myself for the inevitable outing though it's pretty obvious if you know me anyway and the constructive criticisms) I have attached a few photos of the inside to see what the general consensus is.

(as an aside, reviewing it, there seems to be a big focus on the furniture rather than making it look like there is lots of space that i've only just noticed- the table and the sofa! Perhaps it's better to move those out of the way..)

[CityDweller]

Looks lovely from those 2 pics. Is back garden very overlooked (can't quite tell from 2nd photo, but looks as if there's another house at end of garden?). That would prob put me off a bit in long run, but not necessarily off a viewing in first instance.

[Bearbehind]

Definitely agree re the focus on the furniture; the table and the sofa totally dominate both of those photos (as does that lamp in the lounge) so it makes the rooms look much smaller than they probably are.

Having no furniture would look equally odd though- could you move that chair off the room beside the kitchen and put the table in the middle and show it as a kitchen diner?

It's a bit difficult to see how that room works atm as there's no chairs around the table so it looks a bit odd.

[Bearbehind]

Sorry- just realised there are chairs round the table- they blend into the fireplace!

Still think it would look better with the table in the centre.

[Bearbehind]

Also, the ceiling above the fireplace looks damaged in some way- might be the light but the colour all around the chimney breast looks a different colour.

Sorry to be uber critical but daft things put buyers off and if they've only got photos to go by you don't want them highlighting flaws that might not even exist.

[Kitsmummy]

Wow, I'm notoriously hard to please but that looks lovely!

It looks stylish and trendy...is that your target market or do you, for example, live in an area full of OAPs?!

[Sooperswooper]

No, not at all. I'd rather you were! I see what you mean about it all, inc the fireplace. It's a really bad trick of the light! However, especially being over a fp might be of concern. Will try to shift things around tonight & post a few pics once ds is asleep.

Back garden is as per photos..

Interesting feedback from Ea who I pressed & he said their "list" did drivebys and ruled it out due to the fact that it's kind of in an odd location (it's opposite an Old Persons Centre) and has parking only on one side (though there is always space as permit only) I do think though that the EA should be at least trying to get these people through the door though, as if they're interested to do a drive by, then they should (might?) have enough interest to come on in? I did suggest that it may be on for too much but the EAs don't think it's a good idea to reduce right now.

[Sooperswooper]

X post kitsmummy - that made me snort my coffee with laughter! Perhaps thats it.. Though it would be so handy for the Centre!

[Bearbehind]

I think the EA is talking out of his backside- there's no way the entire 'list' did a drive by and thought exactly the same thing.

I would strip all the rooms back to the bare minimum for the photos though- silly things jump out from them eg that big lamp in the lounge makes you notice the fact there are no other ceiling or wall lights visible so I'd probably assume it was quite a dark room.

Personally I don't like wooden floors but covering the majority of them with rugs seems a waste of the feature too.

It isn't badly present at all though and most people can see beyond other people's furniture - could the parking/ Old peoples centre be more off putting than you think?

[mandy214]

I think its beautiful. Agree that getting rid of the rugs and slightly different angled photos might help.

I think your garden is lovely too - but I'd perhaps lose the one taken from the back of the house as the house as the bottom of the garden looks very imposing and has a window immediately overlooking your garden. I'd use perhaps another angle taken from the bottom of the garden looking back towards the house.

I agree that the location might be more of a drawback than you think, but agree that everyone doing a drive by and discounting it is a typical example of an EA talking crap!

[Kitsmummy]

I think I'd re-take the garden shots, losing the patio pics...the patio looks like it is permanently overshadowed by buildings. It would make me thnk it will be cold and dark

[Sooperswooper]

Great! I see what you mean about the patio. It's all south facing so actually gets loads of sun. I almost wish I could write the description myself! And put in that it only takes me 45mins door to door to get to SW London in a car..

I take on board the location points. How do you mitigate for that though- should it be reflected in price? The thing is (again, I wish owners could give a bit of spiel) though initially it might not be the perfect terraced road, it's actually brilliant as there is guaranteed parking and the centre opposite only opens at lunchtime M-F so there isn't actually that much of an issue (I suppose when you're here). Another thing I remember that we thought of when we were looking though, is that behind the centre is a tiny new housing development which did initially make us think. I've posted a shot of what you can see from out front window which might help make sense!

[Sooperswooper]

(Ignore the car!!)

[mandy214]

I think you need to add those things in. If south facing isn't mentioned you need the particulars changed and I would also add something about residents parking. You need to make it so attractive to view / on visiting (potentially by making it slightly cheaper than similar properties) that the negatives pale into insignificance.