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Original poster

Thoughts on these 2 things as a buyer??

21 replies

Everywhichway2018 · 26/05/2018 11:54

We have had a tough ride with selling our property so far, here's the history...

Went on last August (20k higher than now) had no offers so took it off in October.

Went back on in December, at the lower price, got an offer right away but buyer lost their buyer. We gave them a month to see if they could get another but it didn't work out so we went back on the market.

We got another buyer within 10 days, went all the way to exchange and buyer pulled out on the day due to marital problems.

When going back on rightmove, zoopla... it shows our listing date as August last year - apparently you need to be off for 12 weeks to become a new listing, even though we had been 'sold stc' for 13 weeks.

So my first question is, how would you feel about viewing a property that looks like it's been on the market for nearly a year?

We decided to take on a second agent so that we had a shiny new listing. Problem is we are now on rightmove, zoopla... twice.

Question 2, does this make us look desperate? Would it put you off viewing?

We are in the south east, lots of sold signs in the area.

Tia.x

OP posts:
Kamma89 · 26/05/2018 12:09

Very unlucky situation OP. Sorry you've had 2 fall throughs.

We've just bought our first home in London & honestly properties that had been on for a long time we assumed were dead listings, stubborn sellers who had overpriced or that something was wrong with the house.

Multi listings by different agents didn't put us off. Market slow here though & supply increasing so we could afford to be more picky, if your area still OK shouldn't be too much of a problem.

mangocoveredlamb · 26/05/2018 12:22

It might in theory put me off!

BUT we’re in the process of buying a house that’s been on for a year. We weren’t in a position to move until Feb this year. The house has had two sales fall through, but nothing that’s come up had been game over for us (yet!!)
There hopefully will be a buyer for you. I’d especially ask your agents to be upfront about why you’ve been on the market so long.

houselooker · 26/05/2018 12:32

Wouldn't make a difference to me I don't think, but then I'm looking at a forever home so I wouldn't be too worried if it looked like it took an age to sell.

If it were a 3-5 year home I'd be more wary and likely offer lower than I would had it come on recently if it fit our needs.

Notmorewashing · 27/05/2018 21:11

All I would be suspicious of is that something was wrong with it but that would show up upon viewing. Hasn’t put me off viewing any like this.

ASqueakingInTheShrubbery · 27/05/2018 21:17

Wouldn't put me off viewing but might make me think a cheeky offer was worth a go. I'd probably ask th agent, and maybe have a more detailed survey than I otherwise would.

Original poster
Everywhichway2018 · 27/05/2018 21:36

Thanks for your thoughts. I think we are going to drop our first agent, that way we will be a new listing.

OP posts:
ChangedAgain1 · 27/05/2018 21:43

Can you ask the agent to state on the listing “unexpectedly reposted”? Or something similar

ChangedAgain1 · 27/05/2018 21:43

Whoops that was meant to be relisted!

OlennasWimple · 27/05/2018 21:50

It would depend on the market and the house. Scottish estate house or equestrian property = not a problem, these can often take a while to find the right buyer. Three bedroom semi in an estate where stuff tends to sell promptly = big warning sign

Original poster
Everywhichway2018 · 27/05/2018 22:01

It is the latter @OlennasWimple 😣

OP posts:
MuddyForestWalks · 27/05/2018 22:05

It didn't put me off. Our house went on the market in January, we viewed (and rejected) it in July, our purchase fell through at the end of August so we put an offer in at the start of September. Sellers were dicks 😂but we finally moved in at the start of November.

Not sure why it didn't sell sooner, except that it was a bit cluttered, bit of wear and tear etc and there were lots of new builds needing no work going up on the same estate.

frasier · 27/05/2018 22:06

Multi listings don’t put us off, there are many reasons property is on with more than one agent. Yes, “desperate” might be one of them but desperate sellers take offers so no reason to not view.

As for being on the market a long time. DH doesn’t like it, I don’t mind. I think I read forums etc more than him and hear about stories like yours where the property is not at fault.

butlerswharf · 27/05/2018 22:08

I wouldn't think there's a problem with the property but I would assume it was overpriced so offer much less.

Murane · 27/05/2018 22:09

There can be any number of reasons why a house has been for sale for a long time. Priced too high or something wrong with it. Unpopular style of house or unusual layout. Had a sale fall through. Or possibly in a price bracket where there aren't many buyers. Houses on my mum's estate take about five years to sell because they're worth treble the average local house price and not many people have that amount to spend. It wouldn't put me off, I'd view the house and make up my own mind.

SparklySeashell · 27/05/2018 22:19

It wouldn't put me off but it would make me put in a lower offer than I might do otherwise. I'd rightly or wrongly think you'd be desperate to get rid of it as it's been on for ages.

Def go with the new agent for a new listing, hope it all works out!

BuildingThings · 29/05/2018 08:44

It wouldn't put me off either. There was a property like this on the market since last summer, we've dismissed it entirely for the past 9 months. Then, as soon as it came on with a new agent, new price, new photos, new description and floor plan, it made me reconsider it and we even called to view - but they had agreed a sale within that week.

Hope this helps and good luck! Smile

Original poster
Everywhichway2018 · 29/05/2018 09:06

That's a good idea @ChangedAgain1 I will see if the EA can do it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Everywhichway2018 · 29/05/2018 09:25

Thanks everyone, I have taken all your comments on board and have had a turnaround on my thinking. Going to keep both agents and see if EA 1 can add a statement like ChangedAgain1 suggested. EA 1 has previously been very good at getting viewings so I am reluctant to dump them.

Let's see what this week brings! 🤞

OP posts:
frasier · 29/05/2018 09:27

Good luck!

MeMeMeow85 · 29/05/2018 14:26

If a listing has been around for a long time, I generally assume that it is overpriced (or there’s an issue somewhere). Similarly, 2 agents indicates to me that there’s greater desire to sell quickly. Both together, I’d be making a lower offer

MovingThisYearHopefully · 29/05/2018 16:23

I do feel for you as im in a similar position. Found a buyer, was off market for months & went on with another agent who turned out to be shit (Purplebricks) & a waste of money. Ended up cutting our losses after 5 unproductive months & instructing a high street agent.

After that length of time, a fresh start with a new agent to bump you up to the top of the newest listings is the best way to go tbh. Only other way of going back to the top of listings is by making a 2% reduction. More than one agent & it being obvious that the house has been on for a long time is an open invitation for very low offers as people wonder whats wrong. Good luck!

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