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Original poster

Why no viewings?

61 replies

notagain2018 · 10/06/2018 21:48

So my house went on the market last April and I got a buyer within 2 weeks and was the 2nd viewer. Sale fell through after 14 weeks so it went back on again. Had a fairly steady stream of viewings, had an offer in the September which I declined then accepted an offer in December. This fell through after a week when the buyers realised they couldn't afford it.
I had an offer a couple of weeks ago but the guy is messing me around and not sure he can actually afford it (separate thread on this)
I've now not had a viewing in 6 weeks and I;m really worried. There is a new phase of my development currently under construction which I'm sure will be causing me problems but the houses are much smaller and more expensive. Anyway, here is a link and would be interested in people's thoughts:
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-70640828.html
By the way, I have reduced the price recently but still nothing.

OP posts:
DBoo · 10/06/2018 21:51

The photos are taken at really weird angles. Kind of makes the rooms look a bit big / empty. It's a very distinct looking house from the outside i guess you would need to like that style.

Original poster
notagain2018 · 10/06/2018 21:53

Unfortunately some of the rooms do look a bit empty as my ex moved out and took loads of furniture. I can't afford to buy any more but have actually already improved the living room as best I can.
I've already had loads of photos re-taken and loads deleted when there were too many/duplicates.

OP posts:
Original poster
notagain2018 · 10/06/2018 21:55

I've had a surveyor valuation of £230k. An identical house has recently gone on the market at £240k (ex showhome)

OP posts:
Honeyroar · 10/06/2018 21:57

I don't think the rooms look empty. They have enough furniture in them and don't look cluttered. That's good, surely.

How does the price compare to similar sized houses in the area?

Honeyroar · 10/06/2018 21:57

Sorry, just Sen your latest post.

Namethecat · 10/06/2018 21:58

Being honest here. By going by what you say about the 2nd phase of building taking place, it tells me yours is also a new build. If I were looking for a home in your area - that's exactly what I would do, buy the new build and not yours. I'd also think if they didn't like it then we might not as well.

Original poster
notagain2018 · 10/06/2018 21:59

@Honeyroar an identical house has gone on for £15k more although its the ex showhome so has upgraded flooring and kitchen. My garden is slightly bigger though.
I;ve had it valued by a surveyor.
Other 4 beds in the area (and there aren't that many) range from £220 to £240.

OP posts:
Original poster
notagain2018 · 10/06/2018 22:01

@Namethecat yes my house is 2 years old. Builder incentives will definitely draw people to the brand new ones, but the prices are quite a bit higher and the houses are a lot smaller than mine.
E.g the only 4 beds available on the new phase start at £260k so I;m not really competing with them directly.

OP posts:
Original poster
notagain2018 · 10/06/2018 22:03

The couple who offered in December had actually put their names down for the new phase but said the houses were too small for the price!!
Ironically it was the fact they needed help to buy that stopped them buying mine.

OP posts:
Bubblysqueak · 10/06/2018 22:04

I don't think the photos so it justice. I can't put my finger on why but they are odd to look at , I spent longer trying to figure out what was wrong with the photos than I did actually looking at the rooms. I would get them done again.

OlennasWimple · 10/06/2018 22:06

I think the rooms have exactly the right amount of furniture in them - enough to show what the room is for, but not cluttered. The exception to this is what is described in the photos as Bedroom 1 (which has a single bed) and Bedroom 3 (which has a double). Is this a labelling error? If not, move the double into Bedroom 1 to make a proper master bedroom

It looks quite near a main road, but there's nothing you can do about that

What does your agent say?

Does the listing show that it's been on the market for a while? If so, that would be off-putting to lots of buyers, who would assume that something is wrong with it

If it is genuinely being marketed under its proper valuation, then the listing needs to make that clear: "Priced for a quick sale" or similar, so viewers know that they are looking at a bargain

Original poster
notagain2018 · 10/06/2018 22:06

@Bubblysqueak yeah I know what you mean but I've had them re-done a few times now.

OP posts:
heymrsb · 10/06/2018 22:07

Firstly sorry to hear you've been messed about - so frustrating!

I've been looking at houses a lot recently so only from my own point if of view AND being pernickety- I would expect to see bed 1 with the ensuite as more of a feature as it's the master - could you switch in the double bed from 3 to "stage" it? Not a big deal if you have imagination though and wouldn't put me off.

Depending on how your agent is listing on Rightmove also- a lot of the time I will only view property listed in the last month (market in Scotland is crazy just now and some sell within a week of going up) - so you may be missing out on potential buyers if you're dropping down the search...

It could just be they've not relisted since the last offer came in or something. Hope it picks up though!

That's all I can think of, but hope it might help- and you find a

SimonBridges · 10/06/2018 22:07

I agree. If there are newer houses coming then people might be hanging on for them.

Also, the layout downstairs is odd, but there isn’t much you can do about that.

heymrsb · 10/06/2018 22:08

...proper buyer soon 🙈

Original poster
notagain2018 · 10/06/2018 22:09

@OlennasWimple I realise the master bedroom should have the double in but my ex took the king size bed and I could face dismantling the double and moving it.
The road behind is quite busy but is quiet at night so its not that bad. Its opposite a very popular school too which I thought would have helped.
The listing just says 'reduced on ? June' but I think it also says its been on the market since December.
I also hoped the other house on the market for £240 would actually help me so I can't imagine they've had an viewings either.

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whereiscaroline · 10/06/2018 22:10

I really like it but if I was being totally honest I think the lack of curtains and pictures and plants might be making it seem a tiny bit soulless. Could you borrow some big pictures for the lounge & kitchen to put up temporarily maybe? Perhaps add some plants / flowers too in the kitchen and living areas?

Original poster
notagain2018 · 10/06/2018 22:12

@SimonBridges layout odd? That's what I loved about the house. It has a large open hall and the extra playroom space at the front. I guess its not to everyone's taste but I also think new style houses aren't anyway.

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HeadsDownThumbsUpEveryone · 10/06/2018 22:12

Honestly if I was a buyer I would be wondering why you brought a new build and then not even 2 years later wanted to move.

It also doesn't help that phase 2 has begun as like previous poster stated people are likely to go for a new build so they are the only ones who have lived in it. I would also consider rewording the description and or looking at a different agent if viewings have stalled.

whereiscaroline · 10/06/2018 22:13

PS I'm not sure what the market is like near you but it's SLOW near me at the moment. Houses in our area normally get snapped up in days of going on the market and have done for the last 5 years, yet recently they are taking a long time to sell and people are having to reduce their asking prices. So that could be a factor too - worth asking your agent if they've noticed this in your area perhaps?

Original poster
notagain2018 · 10/06/2018 22:14

@whereiscaroline I already added loads to the living room (believe it or not). I put pictures up, bought a rug, side table and plant.
I don't like curtains and never have done which is why there are blinds on most windows.
I'm really not sure a few picture and curtains will make that much difference to be honest. Since improving the living room I;ve not had a single viewing!

OP posts:
SimonBridges · 10/06/2018 22:14

I guess the layout feels odd to me.
So much space in the hallway and seperate rooms. But this is just my opinion and I’m not keen on new builds.

Original poster
notagain2018 · 10/06/2018 22:16

@whereiscaroline I did ask the agent and he tried to say the market was fine and that it was just my house!

This is the 2nd agent I;ve used now and they do seem really good but I've just not been getting the viewings with them. The house is on Rightmove and Zoopla so not sure what more they can do?

OP posts:
Original poster
notagain2018 · 10/06/2018 22:17

@Headsdown I always make it clear to viewers that I;m selling due to a separation and don't want to sell, but have to. I would hope that people would ask the question before assuming its something sinister with the house. If I saw a house I liked enough and I was worried about that, I would just ask.

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Chocolatedeficitdisorder · 10/06/2018 22:18

I like to see a couple of garden pictures, but your listing only has one, and it's pointing towards the house rather than into the garden. I would want to see the depth and width of the garden, along with the fencing style (I have dogs and would have to factor fencing into any house move).

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