Why is my house not selling?

[MummyMather2]

We listed our house in May and within 4 days we'd had 3 offers and sold our house for over the asking price. Unfortunately our buyer was going through a divorce and her husband suddenly changed their mind on the amount she was having (we'd previously had a letter from her solicitor showing where the funds were coming from) and she pulled out as she wasn't sure how long it would take to settle or if she would have the right funds.

As per her instruction we had moved quickly. The majority of our house had been packed up and move to relatives spare rooms and we were a week away from exchanging contracts.

We shed a few tears but quickly got the house back on the market. I fully appreciate it has only been back on for 4 weeks but we have only had 4 viewings (less then last time!) and things round here sell very quickly usually. We haven't had a viewing in 2 weeks.

To add even further pressure there are now a lot more houses in the same price bracket as ours that have come on for sale.

Estate agent isn't very helpful. We are chasing them but haven't heard from them in a week now as we got fed up of chasing them and waiting for a few days for them to get back to us. However, we haven't had any feedback that says it was too expensive just it didn't tick all their boxes.

I didn't know if anyone can advise what to do - I also realise that the summer holiday period really kills it a bit but just so disheartened!

Luckily the people we are buying from don't seem too bothered yet but I don't know what I'd do if they turned around and gave us a deadline! They are a deceased estate and it's almost our dream house!!!

Any advice welcome.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-55167393.html

Blundells or Saxton Mee are the ones for S10/11

Agree with this - your estate agents are unheard off and aren't replying to you - sack them off.

Also, why are we/you focussing on the decorating - the biggest reason you're not getting viewings is beacuse it's listed as not on the market!!!

I know a fair few people have pointed it out, but it seems like you've maybe not realised?

Ah. Ok. Thanks. I was very confused.

Ah cross post with serbska

Yours is bigger and nicer than this www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-66649537.html but still in same secondary school catchment, which is what it’s all about!

Looking at the competition tho OP your house is really strong, there aren't many family houses in lodge moor

And what l meant to add on my last link, is that house is more expensive than yours, but much smaller.

Pp moaning about townhouses - this isn't exactly like a townhouse where the living space is spread over 3 floors (ours has kitchen on ground and bedrooms on top) you'd only need to go to ground floor for the utility.

You still have to go upstairs to the living accommodation, that the point and access to the garden isn't directly from the living accommodation.

I lived in a three storey with living room and kitchen on first floor. I wouldn't do it again.

Tbh, in this particular area, people don’t really have the option of being fussy or picky. It’s really about grabbing what’s available and going with that.

Far too few available properties in the catchment of an outstanding secondary school means you have to take what’s on offer at the time.

1. When I faced this problem, I asked another estate agent to list my property for sale. Then both estate agents COMPETED to sell it. ONLY the 'winning' estate agent received fees. You can do this - you need to be forthright and negotiate with them. Unsurprisingly my property sold very fast when I did this.

2. School holidays = slow. Use the slow time and warm weather to re-paint to neutral colours. Someone above asked, "Do paint colours really put people off that much that they wouldn't buy a house?" Well yes TF they do as half of the people on this thread have demonstrated. When I bought my current house, the walls were neutral and I was glad because I had a baby and at the time and I couldn't be bothered. 50% of people may like your colour choices, but by re-painting, you'll attract the 50% of people who can't be bothered to decorate.

3. Re people whining about painting in high places - my kitchen walls on one side are about 4 metres high. I used a damn extending pole with no ladder to paint for God's sake, it's not rocket science.

4. Painting does not take long. You wave a roller back and forth. Since you may paint the whole house in the same neutral colour, it will be even easier.

5. Re-take photos. They could or you could. No they should not bloody well charge you for this - especially because the photos aren't that great.

6. You said you have packed away a lot of stuff - that's great, it will make the rooms look larger in photos if they are less cluttered. Maybe the bathroom needs a plant plonked somewhere to make it less clinical.

7. Possibly reduce the price ever so slightly as a last resort.

You might have less viewings as people seeing it come back on the market might be worried that the previous buyer pulled out after finding problems with the house, or that the sellers (you) were awful/difficult.

Now I know those aren't the only 2 reasons a house goes back on the market but they'd be in my head if I was looking and if there was lots of other choices I'd go look at them before coming to yours.

So it might have nothing to do with the decor etc why you have less viewings. I think it looks lovely btw.

that the point and access to the garden isn't directly from the living accommodation.

Yes it is - these houses are on a hill and you access the garden directly from kitchen.

We bought a dated house with walls that were definitely not to our taste. We bought it because the layout suited us perfectly and since we moved in 18 months ago have decorated the really bad rooms and redone the ghastly bathrooms. Decorating to move would really be a waste of money, as the house is in good condition.

And like l said, people are desperate for property round there. They’re not going to quibble about a bit of decorating not to their tast.

I stand corrected serbska - but neither the description nor the floorplan make that clear.

Yes true, the description should for sure make that clear wowfudge

TBH I think if you're looking for a house in Lodge Moor for both Hallam and Tapton catchments and you've got £300k to spend you would 100% view this irrespective of layout and wallpaper.

It’s a nice house OP. Not the prettiest though.

I would tidy up the garden and add some potted plants (you can then take these with you) and I would remove the glowing lights from the landing. Also add some flowers to the kitchen.

Still says no longer on the market OP have you asked them to sort this out?

@SouthernComforts - only the cached page the OP linked to states that: if you look on RM, it doesn't.

Ahh ok, thanks.

Also, re steps up to the living space.. This is Sheffield, must be the hilliest city in the UK?? At least the parking space is by the house and now down a hill and 50 steps away.

I always thing being a post man in S10 and surrounding areas must be the worst job ever, so many big houses up several flights of external steps from the road!

Good exercise though - we're not in Sheffield but have a steep winding drive our post person just loves. Puts off people who are leafleting though.

The Bank of England has just raised interest rates. This will have in effect on home sales.

God dam it I’m literally about to come to the end of my fix and have broken appointment next week. Grrrr