Your comments please on selling my "difficult" home

[zoesp148]

I am in the process of trying to sell my home (thanks to my divorce) and I have only had 1 viewing and offer. The couple who put in the offer pulled out after 3 weeks stating they decided they didn't want to live in the country after all!!!

The property went on the market at the beginning of September and I despair as I should at least be having viewings. The house is about 10 mins from Hever Castle and in the catchment of a good primary school.
I attach the link and I would REALLY appreciate some feedback from the photos and blurb. Please be honest be interior and exterior. If I can afford to make some cosmetic changes I will. Not quite sure what is putting people off but something is.
platformproperty.co.uk/property/?propertyID=101581000373
Thank you

[lljkk]

gosh mn makes me feel poor (could never afford that)

"Private" browser on rightmove w/ Safari, search 600-700k in Edenbridge. Your house not in search results OP.

[lljkk]

wait! spoke too soon, OP's house comes up with a 3 mile radius search (doh). so it is there. (slap self)

[zoesp148]

Thanks again for all your comments. Will definitely address:
the complete lack of kerb appeal including changing the front door
add some colour, plants and generally soften or widen the interior photos
the order of photos to take viewer on a journey through the house
get rid of neighbours garden photo
oh and the price if I have to - boo hoo

[Stinkerbelle37]

Please tell me what grey you used?! Last one I picked ended up looking purple on the walls!

[Bellaposey]

OP definitely worth checking the estate agents have put it on rightmove correctly. As PPs have said, when you search the area it doesn't come up. I tried both Edenbridge and TN8 and it wasn't there. If it's not coming up in search results that could be a big part of the problem. Also, look on zoopla. You can see on there how many views your property has had on there which might give you an idea of internet traffic.

I agree with PPs about the pictures (change order/delete aerial shot etc). Also, and this might just be me, but it's clear all the photos have had some kind of editing or filter put over them. It makes it look show home-y to me and not homely.

Good look OP; you have a beautiful home.

[MackerelOfFact]

You need a stunt pineapple in the fruit bowl.

Other than that, absolutely stunning house. That master bedroom!

[JoJoSM2]

Come one - it's unnecessary to change the front door. No way would that prevent people from even viewing the property. I think that once people get through the threshold, you will have high strike rate when it comes to offers.

I think that the main problems are the ones completely beyond your control:

1. The location seems very rural for a commuter belt location. It looks like you can't walk to a station, a school, a shop etc so a lot of families would be put off by not having local amenities within strolling distance and having to drive everywhere.
   
2. The house itself. British people seem to be pretty prejudiced against bungalows and the type of building just doesn't scream 'dream family home in the countryside'. The layout is also not the top of wish list with a sitting room leading to an internal halllway and potential children's bedrooms downstairs.
   

Having said that, the place is super stylish so it might be a case of waiting for the right buyer. just like the offer that fell through - once people like it on paper enough to book a viewing, you'll have a high offer strike rate, I'm sure. Good luck!

[aforestgrewandgrew]

Bellaposey''s point about not coming up on Rightmost is crucial. Before you consider spending money on things like changing your door, make sure it is listed correctly.

[AtSea1979]

I think you need a new agent.

[Optimist3]

Blimey what a stunning house!!

Is it prices appropriately? I will check the layout if I can in a moment. The thing that immediately springs to mind is lack of curb appeal. You need to soften the house in the plot/driveway with some clever planting.

[Optimist3]

Yes and what's your agent like? Do change if things don't add up

[Optimist3]

How is the rest of the street priced?

[Optimist3]

Can you find your property on right move? Is it listed correctly?

[reup]

I'm sure it's Brexit. I live in an area of London where things gets snapped up v quickly. I've got two friends who have put their houses in the market recently. Virtually no viewings and only one very low offer each.

[AbBanana]

Why - if curb appeal is a problem - would you then lead your advert with a photo of it? Madness!

Lead wih the interior.

Ask estate agent on their honest opinion - they hear what buyers in area actually want and why they may be dismissing viewings.

Also yours is the kind that may need to be seen in person - lot of properties are. It's yor agent's job to get that foot traffic!! Make them bloody work for the fee they will charge you.

[shovetheholly]

Your house is absolutely stunning! I don't think it's the look of it that is putting people off - I suspect, as PPs have said, that you are not getting page views because it's not correctly listed.

To make an analogy: you could have the greatest internet business in the world, but if Google isn't listing your shop properly, you are going to struggle to get page views.

[Optimist3]

Curb appeal - if your doors wooden repaint it in down pipe grey. It's a dark sophisticated grey. Also two huge planters either side of the front door to give more presence.

[NoFuchsGiven]

Do You think it is over priced? Don't get me wrong it is a beautiful home but a quick search shows how much it sold for in 2002. I know house prices go up and I can see how much work you have done to it but it is now nearly £400,000 more than it sold for in 2002.

Do prices on property really increase that much?

I probably have no idea what I'm talking about as I am in Lincolnshire and just bought my 4 bed detached with land for £227,500. I don't really get southern house prices

[Artandco]

I'm sorry but I think it's quite overpriced. There are several other 4 bed places for between £350,000 and £550,000. Not as nicely decorated but most very good condition and size. If they bought the £350,000 that would leave them £300,000 difference to decorate nicely as well and it wouldn't cost anything like that.

[Ifailed]

Sorry, but I think it's over priced for a 4 bed detached house in the area, especially as a bungalow. Just searched on Right Move, within 10 miles of Tonbridge, and there are loads of 'traditional' 4 beds coming up under £500k. Agree with others about the photos and their order.

[zoesp148]

Yep, agree with all the comments posted so far. This is a real 'marmite' house and not to everyone's taste re layout of bedrooms etc.
My property is listed on Rightmove and comes up whenever I look but interesting that so many of you have struggled so I will speak to the agent about this. The agents are very proactive and sell a lot of property in this area so I don't think its the agents - could be wrong though.
Lack of kerb/curb appeal is definitely a factor, plus lack of cohesion between upstairs and downstairs, order of photos, quality of photos, making it a bit more homely etc. All doable on a tight budget as I am a single mum. Thank god for Ikea and Ebay.
Can't do sod all about Brexit, lack of secondary schools and Southern Rail so may also just be a waiting game for the right buyer at the right price.
Will post new photos once I get there.
Thank you lovely Mumsnet people, really do appreciate your help.

[YelloDraw]

I think the photos are fine, it is beautifully decorated and I haven't got an issue with the 'kerb appeal'.

For me, it is the things you can't change that would put me off looking unfortunatly - bungalow layout, main entrance into living room, stairs through family room/kitchen - all a bit hallway-esque. Like you say, it is a bit marmite.

[sonlypuppyfat]

You could buy my street for that

[Kidnapped]

I really like your layout, OP.

I think it gives you loads of flexibility in terms of home offices/bedrooms. At that price it may well be child-free or older people who want to buy and that would suit them perfectly. Beautiful big bedroom upstairs and a home office each. And you have nice big main rooms which is a bit unusual these days (the other bedrooms are smaller but that's no big deal).

I think it could also easily suit a multi-generational family living there. I am seeing that quite a bit at the moment; a couple in their 50s buying with a parent of theirs. Your bedroom is plenty big enough to have a small sitting area there. And there is scope to make the garage a proper annexe if need be down the line.