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Original poster

Why aren't I getting more viewings

121 replies

ArtistMumE2 · 10/10/2016 14:30

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

OP posts:
YelloDraw · 10/10/2016 17:52

So to recap;
Add rugs to hide the laminate flooring.

And what is so off putting about looking over a canal? That would really appeal to me

Some people LOVE it and some people hate it - bit of a marmite thing. I would love a river/canal view.
Positives - quite, green, pretty, water, relaxing, not a road.
Negatives - dangerous water for small children, can small, mossies, fear of flooding, canal boats can be noisy and smelly wit the diesel generators or wood burners.

One issue OP is that 'riverside' is currently being touted as a big risk area for London property by Knight Frank (I think) given the huge number of riverside developments coming on line. There is currently a big premium to be paid for 'riverside' and with increased volume expect this to fall.

BitOutOfPractice · 10/10/2016 18:06

It's not a river. It's a canal.

GiraffesAndButterflies · 10/10/2016 18:25

Relatively minor, but what's going on with the garden on the floor plan? Says 25' but they've drawn it as smaller than your kitchen. They need to either not draw it or correct the measurement, also you can't tell from the photos how much outdoor space there is.

Cel982 · 10/10/2016 18:27

And what is so off putting about looking over a canal? That would really appeal to me.

It's beautiful to look at. But with young kids I would never consider living right next to a body of water like that.

Mrsderekshepard · 10/10/2016 18:32

All I can add is wow at that price!! I'm from the north so that's a shocking amount for what you get.
Sorry I will go now......

Mrsderekshepard · 10/10/2016 18:32

All I can add is wow at that price!! I'm from the north so that's a shocking amount for what you get.
Sorry I will go now......

Mumteedum · 10/10/2016 18:35

Having been glued to right move daily for a very long time...it's bad photos.

I have seen this often. Same house, different agent. New photos and the difference is massive.

NicknameUsed · 10/10/2016 18:40

"But with young kids I would never consider living right next to a body of water like that."

I have one teenager, so that didn't occur to me. That said, with small children surely you wouldn't be letting them out on their own anyway?

Holymolymay · 10/10/2016 18:44

I seriously wish I'd bought in London in
2002! We paid same as you in the same year and it's now worth about 300. Wish I had a crystal ball.

Cel982 · 10/10/2016 18:46

"But with young kids I would never consider living right next to a body of water like that."

I have one teenager, so that didn't occur to me. That said, with small children surely you wouldn't be letting them out on their own anyway?

Well, no. But there have been far too many cases of toddlers drowning in fishponds and uncovered pools when whoever was looking after them got distracted for only a minute or two. I can't tell from the pictures quite how accessible the canal is from the house, but it would certainly be a concern.

But it is a beautiful setting, OP! And I'd imagine very suitable for lots of families, especially those with older kids.

Sidge · 10/10/2016 18:46

I have to be honest, looking at the photos my first thought was "I'd need to put a new kitchen and bathroom in".

The kitchen is fairly appealing but when I look closer your wall cabinets looks so slim I can't imagine fitting anything in them. And the trailing cables and stuff on top of the cabinets makes me think "no storage".

The bathroom looks bland a bit grotty, sorry. Change the shower curtain, the wall cabinet, add some colourful towels and accessories. I know it's all window dressing but it looks so unappealing at the moment.

The bedrooms need 'dressing' - it all just looks a bit studenty. You'll be trying to attract families so you need to make it look more homely.

The price makes me go wow but I guess that's London for you!

kate33 · 10/10/2016 19:09

Yep just what others have said -awful pictures of a house with lots of potential! For me the canal wouk d be the reason to buy it but obviously it's marmite.

I don't understand why this is such a nationwide issue - really poor photos and the agent just uploads them. My one issue is the untidly made beds and then I would really dress the house op. Personally I could look past any decor but you can add £££'s by a few tweaks. Good luck!

GiraffesAndButterflies · 10/10/2016 19:24

Oh and put the fan away- dead giveaway that a house is too hot/stuffy/similar problem!

Starlight2345 · 10/10/2016 19:33

I have to say bathroom and outside the house were the bits that put me off...

I wouldn't live near a canal with young children...However Those people who fit in that catagory will on pics or when viewing.

I noticed the lack of anything on walls and also an awful lot of books all over the house.. they look like clutter to me.

I really liked kitchen... Splashes of colour... If you nearly didn't buy the house because of the outside see what you can do to change that as so many people view houses online and skip so many easily.

timeforachangeithink · 10/10/2016 19:41

It's very clinical and stark also doesn't look like a 'home'. Needs a bit of colour, doesn't have to be bright.

321zerobaby · 10/10/2016 19:45

I agree with Dolores thoughts on page 2.
Hope you find a buyer soon.

gettingitwrongputtingitright · 10/10/2016 19:46

Fuck me £850k Shock

lemonymelanie · 10/10/2016 19:47

What a fab house. I love it - I would view it.

Optimist3 · 10/10/2016 19:50

Get rid of the first photo where the water looks like some smelly swamp.

Use the second landscape photo or the outside seating shot as first photo.

Colourful rug and coordinating cushions for lounge.

Huge bunch of bright flowers in kitchen

Pooka · 10/10/2016 19:53

Does it have parking? The photos would be more helpful if they were labelled - I found it difficult to work out what was garden, where it was in relation to the canal, which was the front/which was the back.

OlennasWimple · 10/10/2016 20:14

The bathroom looks so cold - I would dread getting out of bed in the morning to shower in it Sad. As pp have said, it needs "dressing" properly to give it a lift.

What feedback have you had from anyone who has viewed it and your agents?

specialsubject · 10/10/2016 21:10

Poor yello - another one caught by the mn oversensitivity issue. Facts arent rude, happily the op doesn't need a sugarcoat.

Looks fine to me - no viewings means either a limited group of possible buyers, overpriced or both. If it isnt the price - perhaps people are scared of the canal if they have kids?

Also - canal means quiet on one side. What is on the other? If a minor road, quiet and in london is rare. And short walk to stations too.

namechangealerttt · 10/10/2016 21:14

OP you have had loads of feedback on the bad pics, they are not selling a lifestyle to anyone with £850k to spend.

But having said that I think buyers are sitting tight. We have just gone on the market, in my location you would expect a dozen viewers at least on an open weekend. Our pics are really good, property all dressed up, middle class aspirational side return extension. We have had 4 viewings and only one couple were genuine potential buyers, the others have been people that just wanted to see the house, one couple said the renovate properties, and another talked about how they like to go to open house london events! Genuine buyers are thin on the ground in London because we wanted to remain and feel most under threat by Brexit. Seems a bit more business as usual as they wanted Brexit so are not worried.

RandomMess · 10/10/2016 21:20

I think most things have already been said several times.

I think in the lounge it's partly having 3 bookcases in 3 different locations - just looks erm unattractive, not pleasing to the eye... not homely. I haven't got the right words but it's the layout even with the bookcases displayed it's their location as well.

The bathroom one is easy - just needs colour!!

Batteriesallgone · 10/10/2016 21:22

Definitely name. And it will be hard to move before Christmas now so many buyers, particularly families, will be loath to give themselves moving stress over / not long after Christmas.