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Original poster

What's wrong with my house?

165 replies

Namechangeforhousey · 24/01/2017 17:18

Name changed for obvious reasons. House has been on the market for 2 months and no one has enquired about it after seeing it online. We've had a couple of time wasters sent by the EA, but no real interest.
We put it down to Christmas quietness but other houses have been listed and sold in the meantime in the same price bracket.
Any tips as to what is wrong with either the house or the photos?

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-45647871.html

OP posts:
SukeyTakeItOffAgain · 24/01/2017 18:10

People are crap at looking at houses and thinking "Well, I can do this...or that..." They think that if somewhere needs decorating to their taste it "needs work" whereas needing work means putting in central heating, rewiring and so on.

Maybe the photos don't do it justice. The rooms don't look very spacious. There doesn't appear to be any storage when skimming - must admit I haven't read the details.

For me personally, it looks a bit cold and inviting. I know you're advised to de-clutter, but I'd like to see a bit of personality.

Original poster
Namechangeforhousey · 24/01/2017 18:15

Lovely quick responses thank you!
A couple of things that immediately stand out - the sofa doesn't normally live there, it was moved by the photographer to make it more "spacious" Hmm I agree, it looks like it's blocking the door.
No issue with parking - 2 off-road spaces that are right in front of the house.
Bathroom pics weren't supposed to be included as they add nothing, think the EA threw them in when I complained about the quality and choice of photos. They are rubbish.
The house is under 10 years old so is in theory priced correctly in terms of no work needing doing, en suite etc.
The 3rd bedroom (no photo!) is big enough for a small child's bedroom, currently used as an office. We need a photo - is it better to take it as the office, or convert it into dd2's bedroom first?
Yes the house looks blander than bland. Probably took the advice to strip it down for the photos too literally. It was supposed to be a positive so prospective buyers could imagine the place as their own.
Can't remember any more so will have to post and scroll back, thank you for all the very helpful comments so far!

OP posts:
wowfudge · 24/01/2017 18:16

If you are not getting viewings, it is a sure sign that the house is overpriced. That's the crux of it. The term 'deceptively spacious' is what EAs use when they mean it's bigger than you might think. But it actually means the opposite of that - so get the twaddle out of the description. People will just thinking it is small.

'Comprising of' is also poor English - comprising means 'made up of' so the 'of' is unnecessary.

Alter the price, tidy up the description and look at getting some new photos then relaunch it.

wowfudge · 24/01/2017 18:18

X posted with you OP. Change agents then if you can. You need to include photos of all the rooms ideally - definitely the kitchen and the bathroom otherwise prospective buyers just assume there is something written with them. And that usually means spending more money to update them.

OliviaBenson · 24/01/2017 18:29

"The house is under 10 years old so is in theory priced correctly in terms of no work needing doing, en suite etc."

What are you basing this on OP? you can get properties that are bigger for that price and when compared to sold prices in the area it's expensive. I think that is your issue.

Original poster
Namechangeforhousey · 24/01/2017 18:39

If the price is wrong then fair enough. I'm comparing it to to other houses in the area which are bigger but need more work or in a worse area. Will try to add some links to see what you think.
Obviously when the EA suggested the price we saw pound signs, but we need to be realistic too.
Couple of other things - yes the wall stickers look crappy in the photos. Luckily there's only 1 pink wall so it looks a lot nicer in RL but unless someone actually comes to see it they won't find out.
Which curtains look pink in the photos? The kitchen ones are red and the main bedroom are purple!
To the PP who asked about the location...the estate is Lakeside and we're in Glascote so both are correct.
So plan of attack so far is accessorise, retake photos, and ask EA for money back that we paid for their professional photographer!

OP posts:
Sickofthisnow · 24/01/2017 18:47

I don't know what property prices are like in your area do can't comment on if it's good value however the photos are generally ok. If nitpicking I'd say there's no style to it, the kitchen is awful and looks like one a landlord would put in a rental (functional and clean but ugly) and same for the bathroom. It does actually look like a rental throughout- no character just very basic.

However these are things that a buyer can put their own spin on so I would just assume it's too expensive for what it is?

OP posts:
pinkywink · 24/01/2017 18:57

Agree the armchair blocking the door puts me off straight away so worth changing the layout of that room for a new pic. I wonder as well if you reduced the price even to 169,995 then it could show up in more search engines, when I search for properties I put in a max usually of a round number so 169995 would show up in a search of properties up to 170, of course if you hadn't been prepared to accept a lower offer then this won't work but with such little interest you may need to rethink?

pegomassive1 · 24/01/2017 19:01

I recon price straight away
Your estate agent is probably doing that old trick of price it high so it can smack a big REDUCED on it in a few months when it doesn't sell

Other than that decor and everything wouldn't put me off at all!

MrsHiddleston · 24/01/2017 19:04

No viewings at all is a sign it is overpriced as others have said. What didn't the estate agents you looked at actually value it at?

It does look small from the photos, toddler beds often make rooms look even smaller, as does a sofa that's blocking a door. It looks quite bare as well. I think you need to homely it up a bit and get new photos. And seriously reconsider the price if you aren't getting any viewings.

Cakingbad · 24/01/2017 19:05

Easiest way to accessorise and inject warmth into photos is big bunches of sunflowers or other bright flowers.

MrsHiddleston · 24/01/2017 19:05

Typo sorry. What did the other estate agents value it at? That should say!

ItsLikeRainOnYourWeddingDay · 24/01/2017 19:13

It's immaculate but definitely a few things missing. Where is the kitchen blind?

Pink curtains are too shiny- very old fashioned and naff, sorry.

The kitchen work top is terrible. Could you have it replaced with wood or granite?

Is a really cheap house so maybe I'm being too picky, I live in a city where that wouldn't even get you a one bed flat. No - not London.

ozymandiusking · 24/01/2017 19:19

The kitchen is lovely, so neat. What about a plant on the window sill?
Yes, move the armchair if possible.
Yes put a mirror over the fireplace.
I don't like the yellow wall in your daughter's bedroom, paint it pink to match the other one.
Perhaps lower the price a little.
I hope this is constructive help. x

HiDBandSIL · 24/01/2017 19:20

Agree with the others that it will be the price. Be realistic if you want to get moving.

AverysillyoldHector · 24/01/2017 19:21

I'd say that the price is high compared to what you get for your money with the other houses you linked to (cant really compare a shared equity home, but definitely the other two). How many valuations did you get, and where does the current price sit in those valuations?

The pictures dont help as they make the rooms look really small, which they arent, so I'd decrease the price and also have new photos done.

HollyBrown · 24/01/2017 19:22

Tiny, overpriced and I'd want a new kitchen & bathroom in I'm afraid! Sorry, but I think you need to drop the price.

Original poster
Namechangeforhousey · 24/01/2017 19:23

We're stuck with the kitchen because it's just not worth us replacing it when we may have to buy a new kitchen in the property we eventually move to. I think the original owner definitely picked the cheapest option re worktops.
What do you think when comparing the price of other houses on our estate, one identical and 2 being 3 storeys? I think £20-25k under the 3 storeys is reasonable for ours, but is it possible we're all overpriced and that's why they haven't sold yet either?
Will add some links to other houses in same price range shortly.

OP posts:
NotAUserNumberSoNotATroll · 24/01/2017 19:24

I don't know the area so can't comment on price but after a look at the pics my thoughts are:

Sofa blocking door as others have said
No clear picture of the shower - it looks as if the only option is the handheld over the bath unless you read the description

From your update definitely need a pic of each bedroom

trinity0097 · 24/01/2017 19:25

Needs a new kitchen, looks like an 80s one with new handles to try and cover up the badness of the kitchen.

It's the grey, not the cupboard doors/handles that make it look awful.

Original poster
Namechangeforhousey · 24/01/2017 19:25

All the comments are constructive, thank you. It really does help to get total outsiders perspective.

OP posts:
trinity0097 · 24/01/2017 19:27

It also needs pictures of the shower and driveway.

PossumInAPearTree · 24/01/2017 19:29

You can buy bigger semis locally for the same price.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-59639054.html

Glitterspy · 24/01/2017 19:29

Honestly the photos make it look titchy tiny, like a dolls house. I have no idea about the price for the area (you'd be hard pushed to find a decent 3 bed for double that near me)