Listings, viewings and offers thread 2!

[drspouse]

We've filled up the old one! (maybe someone on a mobile device could add a post with this link though?)

Mamaslatts it's silly they've put on a guide price with a bracket....of course everyone will offer towards the bottom end, why would they start any higher. It is a bit misleading for you. They should just have it on at one price then maybe they would get what they wanted.

mama - similar has happened to us! I didn't even realise it was a guide price range as Rightmove just highlights the lower number as the price it lists the house under. We offered a bit below £x - to be told they are looking for a midpoint between the two amounts, def over £x!!
I've lost my patience with them - the price range is optimistic anyway. I'm going to look at alternatives on Saturday. I hate all this 'guide price', OIEO, ranges etc.!

Got some feedback from our first viewers. They really like the house but are worried it will be cold/poorly insulated. Now it is an older house but we have spent £££ on wood framed double glazing etc. We even have insulation between the floorboards! The viewers reckoned they would have to spend £50K. We can't think what on!

Surely you have an epc that could give them ideas on heating and everything?

Finally got some feedback and most don't like the downstairs bathroom

Really don't know what we can do about it but it's really putting people off so we are stuck!

Don't panic Blackfell just think it didn't put you off.

You'll get someone who that won't be an issue for just might have to wait a bit longer that's all.

Can I join too?

My house went on the market just under 2 weeks ago and I have only had the 1 viewing (feedback is, "it is between your house and another").

I am at a loss as to why I had not had many viewings. EA advice is that it is a little slow at the moment generally! But I don't think that is true - houses in my town sell quite quickly.

I want more viewings! :-(

What can I do?

blackfell I disregarded a whole load of houses because they had a downstairs bathroom. It wasn't until I saw one house and already threw it out that I fell in love with it. I came to the realisation that potty training two children at the same time a downstairs bathroom would be handy, and I'm a sahm and spend most of the time downstairs that it suddenly appealed to me! It will happen.

fialor would it be the pics? If your brave enough I'm sure a few of us will have a look seeing as we are all in rhe same position?!

Thanks Beckyb1.

I am hoping that it is not, but one never knows, so here goes nothing! :-)
its on both rightmove:
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-65259620.html

and Zoopla
www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/43262137?search_identifier=78588a83bb13dca0a653a4311c254a0e#BFsg1T2d1UQ7GIwJ.97

All ideas wlelcome - I ned help!

To make it worse, we have found a house that we absolutely love, but cannot do anything until ours has sold. But no viewings :-(

Fialor my geography is really bad-what is the price like for where you live? Where I am that is very high so you'd be cutting off a lot of the market.

I love how you have decorated it looks modern and functional. Maybe some are put off by the bright colours? I know I wouldn't be, I'm just trying to think as the house looks so beautiful.

Fialor the colours are strong but they wouldn't put me off.

The description is a bit light on detail - what appliances do you have in the kitchen that are included in the sale?

You could tidy away some of the toys in the sitting room, as it looks a little overwhelmed by small people's things.

Otherwise, it looks fab. I tend to like seeing the exterior of the house in the first photo, but maybe that's just me? Maybe emphasise close proximity to good schools?

Wow fialor your house is amazing. I didn't look at area but is it a high value area? Around here (Midlands) a house like that would take a while to sell as fewer prospective buyers....

I think it looks great as well Falor. My only comment would be why isn't there a photo of the front with garage and Drive? I can see by reading that you have one so I would like to see a photo. And by starting with a photo of the inside of the house it makes me think that the outside is horrid. Which it's not!

Beautiful house! Although the only thing I can think of is if you click on the zoopla stats it says for an average detached house in the last 12 months in your postcode it's only 500k... Maybe that's put a few people off, thinking they can get more for their money??

Not more for your money but a house similar for less. *

Hi fialor - ok if I'm being really picky the things that might put me off...

• The bright colours! I know is only paint but I'd probably be thinking bugger - first thing I need to do is redecorate!
• upstairs - is the main family bathroom not that accessible? Behind a door? Slightly odd layout up there but loads of space
• as others - is there a drive and can I park 2 cars?
• I put 7-800k Royston into Rightmove - only 8 houses came up. Amazing one at £800k. A couple of new builds and some more traditional style modern houses. I suppose yours is slightly more niche in style - some people don't like modern but not new/traditional?

Seriously though - its a fab house and loads of space. We've just waited 5 long months for an offer so honestly, I know how you feel! What's the area like?

Thank you all for the feedback. I really appreciate it.

CountMagnus I know, I know I know (hands up) about the colours. I know the colour scheme is not to everyone's taste but I am ok with that. But I have a strong love of colour! :-)

Chalkyc2 thank you.
The house is quite big, we are moving because we want a much bigger garden. If we could move the house unto a bigger plot, I would so love that. But hey ho. It has space for lots of cars, 3/4 on the drive, 1 in the garage and on street parking for 3 in front of the house.

Beckyb1, CountMagnus, MammyNeedsASpaDay Thank you.
I think I need to re-write the description as it is quite a large house (2400sqft including the garage but excluding corridors and walkways). Our house is quite unique - its extended and has undergone quite a refurb since we bought it. Houses in Royston fall below ours or above, we are kinda in the middle hence the pricing. We have roughly a 600sqft of extra floor space more than those below the current pricing. so not really comparable.
It is in the catchment area for 1 outstanding school and 4 good ones.

StripyBlanket the EA suggested that a room picture was best and that was changed yesterday but maybe that is just pointing in the wrong direction.

Outbackshack thank you.
I understand - Royston is in the home country and has a 35 minute fast train into london and quite a good road network. It is crazy how much prices have risen in this area in the last five years. We want to buy in Royston and cannot buy if we don't sell at the same pricing that we are intending to buy at. :-(

I will try the re-write and see how that goes.

Can I join? I'm new to mumsnet.

We are trying to sell too. Been on market for 3 weeks and had 3 viewers turn up and 4 cancel. Feedback all positive, but no offers. It's a bungalow which maybe is harder to sell than a house?
How long do people find is reasonable to be expecting offers?

We have found a house we love and want to get moving!

Keeping my fingers crossed for you!.
We had the only viewing we have had so far in the first day of going live and I was so excited and then nothing :-(

But I hope your viewings pan out right - all the best!

Do houses in your area sell quickly?

Fialor your summary is almost the same as the intro to the description, so I would be tempted to lose the summary and go straight to Full Description.

I would also mention in the bullet points:

5 bedroom with 2 en suite
Separate garage and off street parking for several cars

Which direction does your garden face?
Are you walking distance to town centre? Good schools? The station?

I've also seen Rightmove details where the owner has written a paragraph about how they have loved living in the house, but I guess some people might find that a bit cheesy?

Your house is beautiful.
I think it's definitely worth changing the bullet points to include the garage and the two ensuite as count said. And mention the school catchment areas too.
Also I think the photos perhaps aren't doing the house justice. It always make me feel suspicious that the house is really ugly (which yours isn't) when the first picture in the listing is an interior photo. But maybe this is just me? and the photos don't seem to be taken from the best angles etc.
The strong colours can be off putting to people, but I would imagine people can see passed that really.
The only other thing I could think of, and I am being fussy now, is the futon on the pink bedroom photo makes it look smaller than I'm sure it is.

CountMagnis yes I agree. I have asked that the summary he removed and the the description changed to reflect the points of the house.
I have written to the EA.

Your points on the garden (ours is south facing) is valid - thanks. And we are within 10 minutes walking distance of the town centre. And 15 minutes walk to the train station - 35 minutes into London.

I feel like I am getting my description a lot clearer too.

Houses in my area do not come on the market often, long term owners (average of around 15-20 years per occupancy). My immediate 2 neighbours have been in their houses for 30 years. The owner of the house we want to move into has had the same occupant for 70 years!

We are not in a hurry to move or need to move so I guess I need to be patient and see what this listing period with the EA brings 😊

Thanks for the very helpful suggestions.

MeadowDream that is true of the footon and the table in the purple room.

I am taking all these points on board if I have to relist with another agent (if we don't sell) I will be making sure all these are addressed.

Thank you for the feedback.

Got our 6th viewing in 10 minutes. Just need a viewing to turn into a offer. Trying to keep the house spotless with a 3 year old and 5 month old is proving tricky!!