Help - 15 viewings and no offers. (Is that bad? It feels bad)

[Ladybard]

Any constructive advice appreciated. Our house has only been on the market for just over a month. We have 'priced to sell' and had what I think are a lot of viewings, which tells me we are probably at the right price point, but no offers. It is a bit more cluttered than in the brochure/pictures online, but I have three kids under 7 though I do do my best for viewings (clean, hoovered, smelling nice, couple of bunches of fresh flowers, the basics). We live in a village and don't have parking (only parking nearby) and I suspect this is killing it for a lot of people (in fact I know it is) but WE bought it, and don't find the parking close by a problem. Also, if it did have a drive or other parking it would be up at a much higher price. ANYWAY, I am getting paranoid now that it is other stuff - does anyone have any tips to make a house look like a must buy?? Am I forgetting something? It's a period cottage, pleasant without being chocolate box on the outside, really charming inside, completely renovated by us 5 years ago. Many thanks...

Well, the agents didn't think it should be mentioned, and just tell people on the phone when they book to view.

Wow, I'm anti clutter but I think it's lovely!

Is it listed? (I like it that much). I can't see anything that isn't lovely about it.

Where's Enstone?

Lweji - you are right about it being more like 3.5, but it is still cheaper than similar properties and also cheaper than much smaller properties in terms of floor space.

I know what you are saying about the shower room. It was one when we bought it though and decided to keep it that way. It works for us but, again, maybe we are just used to it!

Thank you Monty! It is near Chipping Norton, in West Oxfordshire. It isn't listed though.

Well the pictures aren't the best but you're getting viewings so they can't be the problem.

Is there a smell? Otherwise I reckon it's the parking.

Well, it's cathartic just to talk about it, to be honest, so thank you everyone. The trouble with selling your house is that it feels so personal even if it isn't, and I have spent this week feeling quite paranoid about it and getting it all out of perspective and feeling like we've got everything wrong. I am not a very experienced house seller!

Oh dear, Springs, what is wrong with the pictures do you think?

I guess it's either the parking - or lack of - or the fact that the only garden is at the front. As someone with dogs (DS grown up now, but if I had young DC that would be a no no too) it would be a deal breaker for me. Otherwise, apart from the tiny fourth bedroom, it's a lovely cottage!

Actually the only garden is at the BACK. The 'front' of the house is the last picture. So no front garden - maybe that is another prob.

It's a charming cottage in a very desirable area, OP. I'm sure it will sell.

It may be slightly overpriced (or overstated). I think anyone looking for a four bedroomed house might find it too small. The rooms in the eaves are not as spacious as the dimensions would suggest, due to the sloping walls, and the smallest bedroom is very tiny.

It would make a very nice holiday cottage, I think. You might want to try marketing it to investors, as well as to people looking for a home.

I wonder if some people aren't used to the cottagey feel and find the low ceilings/ beams oppressive. I remember when we were moving house and the feel of a cottage was very different to places with more head space. Not very constructive feedback sorry!

With the parking, I would mention it in the details but use words like you have here '15 second walk away' or 'offsite parking in the immediate vicinity'. For some people, parking is non negotiable so it seems silly to waste their time and the hassle for you of getting the house ready for a viewing if it's going to be a no-go for them.

It's a beautiful house, I love the stone they use in your part of the world.

Not keen on the yellow in the living room - makes it dark - you also have an interesting alcove that has a chair shoved in it - can you be more imaginative? The ceilings a funny colour too

Kitchen picture isn't great - doesn't look much like a kitchen -

I think that needs a splash of bold colour -

It looks like you are bored of the house and it's unloved.

Garden is a bit plain - I'd plant a few trees

Also you must have a view? Why aren't there any pictures?

• it's a nice house overall - just need some love - little changes could make a big difference

Clutter use the boot of your car! Throw in the washing etc in viewings

The table in the kitchen is hiding a decent cooker!

Can you hide the oil tank?

OP sorry, but I did actually make the effort of finding out where it is, and I'm even more gobsmacked nobody has offered. But then, I haven't looked at transport facilities, shopping etc, but I really do think it's just charming and not cluttered at all!

I would say maybe (only reading what other posters have said) get the EA to re-do the photos and fess up about the parking situ, It actually doesn't sound that bad.

It's lovely and in a lovely spot. Don't worry. Honestly, I love it,

Did I say I love your house? Good luck. I'm confident someone else will too. But cut the time wasters and say and show it how it is.

I suspect you'll get lots of people coming to see it because it's beautiful, but then not buying it because they can't imagine living in it/think modern/less quirky would be easier.

So either you need to hang on waiting for someone who'll fall in love with it regardless, or find a way of presenting it as an easy to live in family home.

I'm guessing that since you're staying in the same village you've outgrown the house - it'll be hard to hide that but it probably does mean it's more important than ever to make it look clutter free.

I live about 10 miles away in another village in a detached more modern 4 bedroom property in the same price bracket with views to front and rear, with garage and small gardens front and rear. I often look at period properties in the area and probably in the next few years think of moving to something with a bit of character.

First I want to say your home looks lovely, the front picture is charming and we would certainly consider viewing.

There would be a number of problems for me to check out though. Firstly the parking which you mention, On viewing I would check how near can you park, how far would I have to lug shopping, how easy is the on street parking, is it a busy road and so on. The rear photo confuses me, not obvious which property is yours and it really highlights this is really a terraced property. It also looks like it backs on to a road?

The original fireplace in the living room has been moved? I'm not sure the TV with a cable across the wall is doing you any favours.
The shower downstairs feels a bit redundant to me and I would probably convert to a utility space and put shower upstairs.
It seems to lack a bit of a wow factor to me in interior photos, a part from the front and the bathroom pic.
Although it is a 4 bedroom property the downstairs area is small in comparison. It seems a tad overpriced.

Sorry to sound a bit negative, but you were asking for feedback

Out of interest OP, where are you moving to in your village? I ask as all the quaint olde houses in my village are sitting on the market for months while people plump for the modern new builds down the road!

Lack of parking would count us out unfortunately and I struggle to see past clutter as it emphasises lack of storage space.

There'll be someone out there it's right for though!

Also the 2 separate staircases to the second floor are interesting and quirky. Not sure whether they may put people with young children off.

Looking at the floorplan, are two of the bedrooms split off? So you'd have to go down one set of stairs, across the landing and up a different set of stairs to go from one room to the other?

If so that would hugely put me off as I'd be imaging what a pain hoovering would be lol.

Your house is absolutely beautiful though! Parking wouldn't put me off but I know it's a deal breaker for some.

SO the garden pic is the back? See then the other pic from rhe front, you can't define what's your house and what's anyone elses?
That right? Is it 1 huge house.converted as ut look like that

I'm not a cottage type person but things that look like they'd put people off:-

The parking is a big issue- the pathway to the door looks quite long so I wouldn't relish the thought of carrying my shopping any further than the fence.

Natural light- the windows are all small and the ceilings are really low so it looks gloomy.

No access out the back of the house.

If it is more cluttered now than in the photos then it could start looking very small.

No photos that include storage like drawers, wardrobes- these might look imposing/ cluttered IRL.

No shower upstairs and a random one in the hallway downstairs

TV above an open fire- I'm pretty sure that's dangerous. Not to mention the cables running across the wall.

Table and chairs in kitchen don't do the room any favours.

The first 3 points can't be changed and some of the others will be expensive to change.

The big problem is the price. Made even worse if people think you only paid £150k 3 years ago.

All houses will sell at the right price/ time it just depends if you have time to wait for the right buyer. If not then it needs to be reduced to the right price.

Hi don't worry - you'll get there. Great house and location. I agree with some
Posts already made - neutral it up as much as you can. White or grey dare I say. Declutter - especially the kitchen table. Maybe buy a nice new clean oilskin or pvc tablecloth - I think a more modern vase. What is going on with the inglenook fireplace in kitchen? Looks a bit sooty on floor. Can you gloss it up a bit?

We sold a house which had dark wood labelling, beamed ceilings, a smallish through lounge / dining room
With two open fireplaces. Painted dark Stained wood panelling White (and the brown radiators too! Hide your personal items ie photos and definitely no washing. Make it an aspirational home -

Re lack of parking - hmm, as long as made clear - some people won't mind, some will. Just getting the people who don't through the the door.

Definitely get some new photos on Sunny day.

Good luck! You'll get there