Help us sell our house!

[sarahd100]

Hello,

I've posted on a couple of threads about issues that me and my mum are having selling her house, and was wondering if anyone had any ideas that could make it look more appealing?

To give a bit of background, it's been on the market since mid-June and it's on with 2 agents. I've put the links for both of the adverts below. We have fresh flowers up whenever people come round, but all we've had is stupid offers or people who don't like the sloping garden - which we can't do anything about!

Any suggestions would be REALLY appreciated!

Thank you

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-56145145.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-55121275.html

One thing I noticed was very little description from the agents. They could write that the kitchen/dining area has a seating area that would make a great snug/playroom, that the garage could potentially be converted into a home office etc. Some buyers want these sorts of things but have no imagination!

I agree about the conservatory- i would worry that the only family dining area would be cold and miserable to sit in. If it is warm due to e.g. South facing or underfloor heating that needs pointing out.

The bathroom could do with modernising so maybe factor that into price?

What "silly" prices have your DM been offered? Are they prepared to negotiate with potential buyers? If I was interested in their house I too would put in a "cheeky" offer and except to negotiate the price, imo older people who last bought their house 30+ years ago are not prepared for how cut throat the housing market has become and just want someone to offer them the asking price and will stay put until someone does

I think it lacks a wow factor for the money but it's a big spacious house with ground around it and a garage in a nice town so............ she could get that money if she clings on.

Rationally people can know that it's worth that price but they know that to make it how they want it they'd still have to spend another 100k

My parents would love the sitting room and dislike the kitchen fwiw! I think they also had those black and white tiles in their bathroom at one point. I find them a bit startling! But people in their late 60s early 70s are downsizing not upsizing.

100k is a conservative estimate IMO.

If you are getting lots of viewings then the problem is that the house does not feel worth the money when people get there.

I think you should consider replacing some of the heavy outdated furniture, either removing completely or getting something new and less bulky in. Have less things out, clear tables, less ornaments as I see loads, spruce up the garden some more, on the first agents pictures it looks messy. When we sold my grans place almost everything was removed but some key elements of furniture and a lot of cleaning. Things that make the room feel smaller then what is true doesn't help! Her place sold on the first viewing and went 100k over estimated price. Not saying this will happen but we were shocked over how fast and how much over it went for considering the place looked "bare" in our eyes.

I don't know the market or prices so just a few thoughts about the description. Does each agent have photos of all four bedrooms. I do prefer the photos from the second agent but there seem to be a lot of the hallway. The sitting room looks cluttered and I'm not keen on the rug in there. I do prefer the photo of the bedroom minus moose and bike but it is slightly dark.
In the red bedroom curious about what is on the bed and what the black thing is near the window.

Generally I really like the house.

Looks lovely but I would take the coffee table out of the sitting room. It looks cluttered!!

Funny that the estate agents don't back you up with the de-cluttering, selling a lifestyle issue.

I know if my parents tried to sell their house, I would have to say all of this to them. Their house is unrecognisable on the inside from the gorgeous houses that younger people have sold on their road, and they think that that is what their house is worth too! They have no idea because they genuinely like their dated tired old decor.

smalltown you've hit the nail on the head a bit there! Although my mum doesn't like the furniture, I don't think she realises how much it ages the house - just makes it look dreary and tired.

We've had gardeners in who've completely cleared the garden up (took 3 of them 5 hours!) and it looks much better now - although still sloped of course! We had 2 viewings yesterday, one was an older couple (in their 50s I think) who spent a good 45mins looking around so fingers crossed we hear something positive on that on Monday!

Fingers crossed!

I just fell off my chair at the cost of stamp duty.