Why aren't I getting more viewings

[ArtistMumE2]

Hi all, I am relocating and selling my beloved 3 bedroom home for the last 14 years. It is in Victoria Park East London and overlooks the Regents Canal. But I am not getting viewers! What am I doing wrong? Any thoughts/ideas/help welcome. Thanks!
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-44572866.html

• The first photo is horrible. The block of houses looks like a halls of residences and the green canal outside looks like it stinks. It's also not clear which is your house.

• Photo 2 is okay but it looks like a holiday chalet. A very nice holiday chalet but it doesn't look lived in- where's the kettle?!. I also don't like the wire going from the plug socket up the wall- very untidy and looks botched.

• Photo 3 looks like you've shoved everything you own on to the bookshelves to get it out of the way. It feels weird to me (Feng Shui?) that the three bookshelves are dotted around the room all facing different directions. I know this is just furniture and you should look past it but it doesn't set the room off too well. How about some pictures up on the wall to warm it up a bit? The clutter on top o the bookcases also scream to me that this house doesn't have enough storage space

• Photo 4 is just lovely.

• Photo 5 and 6 make the bedrooms look a bit stark and cold. As PP said, the first one with the double bed looks like a student room.

• Photo 7 is really bad. I know you said you'd dug the garden out but it looks unloved and a bit of a mess. Can you get some bedding plants to put down just whilst you sell. The pots are also too small and look either empty of like they'e got dead plants in them. The junk at the back by the front door again scream that there's no storage for gardening stuff. What is that white thing near the front door? Does it cover a window?

• The bathroom is Photo 8 looks grimy, cold and unloved. The shower looks like it wouldn't have any pressure. Although I hate seeing people's stuff in bathrooms a couple of warm coloured clean looking towels over the bath and rail wouldn't go amiss. Is there any way you can get the pipes behind the sink boxed in? I can't tell what's on the floor but in the corner where the bath meets the sink wall there's a suspicious stain. The cabinet looks like it doesn't close properly- again looks unloved. Is there a window in the bathroom? You can't tell from the pictures.

I'd assume £850K is a decent price for it based on what else is around? I'm not in London and where I am for £850K you'd get a ten bedroom period mansion!

I don't think it's the décor either - but the photos aren't great. Start off with a much more appealing one, and get the agent to take and post far more, or do it yourself.

Get rid of the book cases, add colour to the lounge. Sort the curtains out. They need to be hung better. You may need to change them. The kichen is nice. I'd put the garden pots on the bottom stage and paint the garden furniture to stand out from the background. Make them prettier perhaps willow green.

It just isn't that nicely done for £850k, plus you can only ever attract a limited pool of buyers (ex-LA and waterside are not for everyone). Also looks like similar property sold for £710 and £690?

Negatives:
Cheap laminate flooring.
Cheap crappy bathroom.
Your washing machine sticks out because you didn't stump up the cash for proper depth units.
North facing so dark and dank.
Poor transport links (although normal for the Vicky Park area).

I don't think you need to change anything but the photographer. Those photos are bad!

It's not just adding some of your things back, though, I think you may need to spend a bit of money. And make the beds properly, dragging a sheet over won't cut it.

Agree that wire dangling down in the kitchen isn't good.

On a closer look the sofa in the third photo looks like it has holes in?

Hi Artist, your home is lovely, but for me, definitely lacks colour.
A little in each room, either rug, cushions, throws etc..
The first picture particularly, needs changing.

I'd love a home by the canal but the first picture isn't great. The water looks slimy and hints at a smell.
Is that the front door with pots outside. It looks a neglected area.
The plants in the pots look bedraggled - plant up some primroses or winter pansies or cyclamen.
Give the patio area a power wash or a good brush/ wash.
The bathroom looks a bit stark.
You want a viewer to say , as another Mumsnetter said about a house she was considering buying '..... it made my heart sing'
Best of luck.

Yes I agree- first picture not great, front of the house is not pretty. I nearly didn't buy it when I saw the outside. But when I went in and saw it goes straight onto the canal and views directly into the park I fell in love with it.

May I suggest something like this for your listing?

Stylish riverside three-bed property with accommodation arranged over three floors and enviable views across London’s historic Regent’s Canal. Early viewing is advised for this versatile and desirably located terraced house, just ten minutes walk from Bethnal Green underground station and Cambridge Heath mainline station with its direct connection to Liverpool Street. The interior is presented in good order, and professionals and families alike will appreciate the tranquil garden area to relax and recharge whilst tuning in to the slow pace of a bygone age. There is an excellent range of local schools close by. Viewing strictly by appointment only, contact our E2 branch for further details.

I think you have to be realistic with who is going to buy it - I think the location and the layout would put off the vast majority of family buyers - you effectively really only have the kitchen downstairs so nowhere to be together as a family / children coming in and out of the garden etc, and being so close to the canal would be a major disadvantage too.

So you're looking for a specific buyer which I think would probably explain the lack of viewings. I think certainly the bathroom looks as though it needs money spending on it, and the front garden / entrance looks a little off-putting.

The bathroom photo makes it look as if it's in need of refurbishment also what size was the one that sold for 710? If it's the same size you are way overpriced.

Your house is lovely...

The beds need to be "dressed" properly.
There is a mish mash of furniture in the bedrooms which looks untidy.
Bathroom needs to be given a splash of colour as it all blends into one, shower curtain or coloured soap dispenser.
I can't even make out the shape of the living room or kitchen due to the bad angles they have been taken at.
Living room - reorganise your space and get rid of the books (not all) and the jumbled furniture.

Sorry if that seems harsh but it's what immediately caught my eye and my instinctive thoughts.

Oh and I'd get some
Coloured paint onto the table and chairs outside to make it look happy

Artist, you are hearing a lot of negative things here, some of which are right, but you have to remain positive, anything else will not help you and you have to like the house and do your best for it by putting a positive spin on your advertising until you can sell it. My advice is borne out of a lot of experience buying and selling. And a lifetime in marketing.

Oh, pull your head in, Yello. There's no need to be so rude.

OP, definitely get rid of the first photo. I'm always very wary of ads that start with a picture of the area rather than the exterior of the property - it immediately gives the impression that the house isn't presentable.

If I was looking for a 3-bed canalside property in E2 I would be wondering where the extra #175000 went compared to, for example,: www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-53553676.html

(I assume it's exact position, outside space and parking, but on first glance this one maybe has more 'curb appeal' or whatever the internet equivalent is)

Hi again. Everyone's opinions are their own and valuable thanks.
3 separate estate agents gave the same valuation so for the location, the amazing views and size I think it seems to equate with what is out there.
I think I may have to change agents and get new photos and thanks for the new description brodchengretchen!
:-)

And it is a freehold house with outdoor private patio directly onto the canal. Not a leasehold flat :-)

Oh, pull your head in, Yello. There's no need to be so rude.

It isn't meant to be rude - it is what I would tot up as negatives when looking round. OP just needs to make some tweaks (nice rugs to hide flooring, tart up the bathroom with some nice towels, box in the pipes, make the outside look like a lovely place to have dinner outside etc) to make it look like a winner.

I agree with brodchen - it needs a better sell - and the location is lovely. I would have been all over it when we lived in London if we'd had a far higher budget and I think some of the dubiousness from previous posters is from people who aren't used to the London market. I certainly think that the text needs to be stronger and more assertive about the qualities of the house and location, and that the photos could be better and more numerous to give it its best chances in the post-Brexit market.

I think your house looks very nice and I don't think there is much you need to do re the photos other than make the first one focused on the house itself. I agree it's not quite clear enough initially which is yours. It looks beautiful there next to the canal but living right near a canal is not every families cup of tea. Also your garden whilst very practical is not a big garden and I see no grassy area. Is there more to it? Again this kind of garden is not to every families taste. Lastly price, things are a little up in the air post brexit. That said I think your house looks lovely and if I could afford it would have come and looked at it as you can't get a proper feel for a home until you view it.

I really appreciate it may not fit in with expectations for many, but in London in zone 2 it really is a great place and I just want to try to get the right buyers interested.
But you have all had lots to say on it so thanks for your time and thoughts!

There is som thing wrong with the photos but I can't put my finger on what. Other than the bathroom and the front of the property there's nothing wrong with the rooms really but the photos feel wrong.

I agree that the front needs prettying up - you know it's not an attractive house and there's not a lot you can do about that but the empty flower beds etc make it look worse. A tidy up, some flowers and hanging baskets and it will look much better.

The rear garden area is photographed wrongly and could probably do with a spot of "prettifying " too.

The bathroom looks stark and unwelcoming. I wjldnt want to have a lingering bath in it!

Don't take the negative comments to heart though! :o