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Property/DIY

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Original poster

Help me sell our flat!

56 replies

Readynano · 10/10/2017 21:37

Hi,
I saw the popularity of the thread the other day so I thought I could ask for some advice about ours!?
Been on the market a few weeks and after a few initial viewings it's gone really quiet and I haven't even heard from the agent for over a week.
We're facing some really major financial issues if we're not sold before next spring and in the back of my mind I'm starting to panic after being told horror stories of 6 months for the legal work!

Here's a link (hope it works) : www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-68933042.html

Any advice happily received

OP posts:

WhichNewWoof · 10/10/2017 21:42

Are you sure it's priced competitively? The London market has some real jitters right now. The bedroom is a good size. I'd take out the plastic multicoloured storage box as it makes it seem like there's not enough proper storage. But really if you aren't getting viewings it's price every time.

centreyourself · 10/10/2017 21:44

Ok OP, I didn’t see the other thread, and I’m not an interior designer but in my humble opinion you could do a fair bit without spending an enormous amount.
I’d start with the bedroom.
Lose the accent wall (actually do that all over the flat, you just don’t have the proportions for the rooms to cope with it).
Invest in some ready made floor length curtains in a lovely texture or print, but not a big print ...room is not big enough. John Lewis fo a good range, reasonably priced.
Have a throw and cushions in the bed in the same fabric ...
Will have a think about the rest. Takes me ages to type on phone ..

centreyourself · 10/10/2017 21:47

Lose the red wall in the kitchen can you fit a new kitchen from a builders merchants or somewhere, and keep all the appliances integrated?
It would make the kitchen much less cosy ...
Living room just doesn’t look inviting ...

centreyourself · 10/10/2017 21:47

Cosy being a euphemism for poky

Ttbb · 10/10/2017 21:49

Firstly get rid of the feature walls! The colours of the other walls are fine, paint yours to match. Then if you have money to spare redo the kitchen.

fionnbharr · 10/10/2017 21:50

You need to include the length of the leasehold.

Ttbb · 10/10/2017 21:50

Also get rid of the tiny mats. You already have carpets-why are they there and why are they so small?

centreyourself · 10/10/2017 21:53

Living room...again, get rid of the accent wall. Get rid of the tall bookcase, it emphasises the fact that you do not have tall ceilings.
Is there anyway you can lose the purple throw and put some decent curtains up?
I have a thing about floor length curtains - they have to be floor length imo same in bedroom, I meant to say.

NeedingSolutions · 10/10/2017 21:54

I'm no expert but all the rooms seemed ok apart from the living room. It seemed to have no focal point, which I think a living space needs. Where's the tv or is there a fireplace or something? Also I wouldn't put the bookshelf in the corner like that. Maybe move it beside the window in that large floor to ceiling space?

ShirleyPhallus · 10/10/2017 21:56

All the suggestions count for nothing if the price isn't right

Enjoying your 2002 pastel feature wall and lava lamp though :)

SingaSong12 · 10/10/2017 21:57

I agree with PP about the walls. The photos could be at a better angle especially the sitting room - it looks a strange shape even though it isn’t on floor plan.

Jumblebee · 10/10/2017 22:03

My first thought was that there was no vocal point in the living room, can the agents put up a new picture taken from the sofa end of the room? Also the table being in front of the bookcase looks a bit cramped.

The kitchen also seems a bit dark, I'm assuming it's a joint kitchen-living room?

I'm rubbish at these things but I hope you get some good ideas and get some viewings

Original poster

Readynano · 10/10/2017 22:08

Thanks for all the suggestions so far - I definitely agree with the wall colours but all the agents we saw said not to bother so we didn't.

We haven't got the budget for a new kitchen, but can get rid of things in there like the microwave/appliances.

No carpets so the rugs are only really for decoration - can easily go.

Living room has a tv in the corner which you can just about see, but there's no picture of it from the other side. May experiment a bit with the furniture in here.

Will make sure it's updated with the length of leasehold.
We were really thinking the main problem was price.

OP posts:

RubyRedTights · 10/10/2017 22:10

Very neat and tidy and you can see what you're getting.

But, and I don't mean this in a horrible way (you should see my house!) it seems a bit student-y eg the mismatched furniture, the curtains which don't fit and the sofa throw etc.

Could you make it look more "professional couple" eg take away the pastels, make the furniture more consistent/modern. If you can't afford/justify a new sofa look at getting a fitted cover made.

Also agree about creating a focal point and defining spaces.

Thirtyrock39 · 10/10/2017 22:10

The only negatives at a glance were the red kitchen wall and the sofa looked a bit studenty with the purple blanket over it

Stinkymimi · 10/10/2017 22:16

I don’t like the feature walls either - and they don’t tone with any of the soft furnishings. Better to quickly paint them out and let the soft furnishings dictate the scheme. Same for the mauve throw on the couch - get rid of it. The two tiny rugs need to go too as they make the rooms look smaller. I don’t hate the red kitchen, not in that photo at least. But as other MNetters have said, at the end of the day, it’s price that stops a flat from selling.

Joinourclub · 10/10/2017 22:19

I think the living room furniture needs sorting. There is a dining table and sofa in the picture all in the same end of the room. Can the dining table be moved to the other side of the room ?

wowfudge · 10/10/2017 22:19

I agree it looks studenty. Look at the other flats on the market and see how they compare in presentation terms. What was the feedback from the viewings?

FeralBeryl · 10/10/2017 22:22

My two penneth
Love the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen (although hide the microwave for photo)
Living room - looks too studenty. It's lovely, but you're selling a 'lifestyle' for young professionals.
I'd take the big bookcase away, can the table and chairs go nearer the kitchen to zone areas more?
Lastly, the couch, it looks sad on its own it doesn't inspire 'ooh cozy wine nights with friends' can you swap for a small corner group one? Failing that, another small chair to create a sociable area if that makes sense...

HidingBehindTheWallpaper · 10/10/2017 22:25

Have you had viewings?
How long is left on the lease?

Original poster

Readynano · 10/10/2017 23:14

Lots of comments about the throw on the sofa which I'm not sure what to do about - the sofa underneath is not good enough for show however we can't take any furniture with us when we go which is why we haven't replaced it. Will think about what to do about that. Fitted cover could be a good workaround.

We've had a couple of viewings - replies were that the buyers hadn't decided on renting/buying and one that it didn't suit them. I think they were just nosy neighbours.
+100 years left on the lease.

OP posts:

FeralBeryl · 10/10/2017 23:33

I'm pretty sure there are places you can do short term hire for pieces of furniture?
May be a plan if you don't want to shell out.

dailydance · 10/10/2017 23:45

See if you can get a cheap sofa from eBay?

A couple of house plants would look nice. The flat looks a bit cold.

dotdotdotmustdash · 11/10/2017 00:38

The flat looks fine, it's small, neat and clean. The thing that did bother me was that your washing machine doesn't seem to fit in it's space and sticks out considerably. Can you push it back at all and neaten up the line in the kitchen?

Ginandplatonic · 11/10/2017 00:55

I think all the rooms are fine, but you could improve the furniture placement in the living room. It's hard to tell how much room there is from the photo, but could you try putting the TV on the end wall with the sofa in the middle of the room facing it and the bookcase on the blue wall. Then move the table up the end of the room where the TV now is (ie towards the camera)? So a sitting zone with TV as focal point and a dining zone?

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