What would you think if you saw this house on Rightmove?

[LapdanceShoeshine]

Can’t post a link, seller is a relative. It’s an estate sale but 2 of the beneficiaries still live in the house.

3-bed 60s detached, popular Midlands village, on initially for over £350k (def too high but 2 beneficiaries - not the same 2 - are overoptimistic). It’s in good condition but needs new kitchen & bathroom, & modernising throughout.

There are 9 photos - 1 each of the front (looks great) & the lounge (looks ok) & then 7 slightly different views of the very long back garden. That’s it!

They’ve had several viewings but no offers - I know from many MN threads that generally means the price is too high. I think they need to drop the price (agent’s initial advice was to start at 320) but do you think it would help or hinder to include more internal pics? Rooms are small (largest bedroom 12x11)

Like others, I wouldn't bother to view a house without internal pictures. I'd assume the inside was so dire, it would be beyond my energy and imagination levels to put right, and I'd assume it was ready for a developer.
Actually seems odd they have had a few viewings. Interesting to know if they were potentially serious buyers or just nosey people with time on their hands.

I’m so sorry I fell asleep last night!

Ok, not much help but I love it! Loads of potential and that garden!! The sunsets must be amazing.

Back to helpful comments... yes there need to be more photos, I personally wouldn’t be put of veiwing (though I’d find it very annoying) but as you can see from pp lots of people would just rule it out for that.

The one thing that might concern me is road noise? What’s that like?

I would try and persuade the two living there to let you come in and de clutter if possible before the photos, sell it to them as the best way to get the best price.
Having looked at local sale prices I’d expect it to go for between 320-340 at best but there aren’t many sold prices so hard to tell. I’d also try to get them to lower the price to 350, at least then it’s in the lower price bracket -

BUT how much do the guys there want to move? If they don’t really want to go you might find this is all a waste of time, at least until they’ve mentally moved on.

The family is very complex. I couldn’t begin to explain!

One of the residents (an executor) is very keen to move out and on - no idea about the other one, but he will have to. The executors do have the legal right to make all the decisions, but are trying to be consultative (?), at least initially. If the other 2 keep being uncommunicative/unhelpful they’ll have to be overridden. (The age range is 53-67, believe it or not, but some of them can’t get past ancient disagreements...)

It’s a nightmare really 🙄

No road noise, Yippee - it’s a very quiet lane. The garden is potentially lovely but those hedges need drastic attention - the garden is actually much bigger than it looks.

I will message my closest contact (the other executor) & ask about the lack of photos & if they (some of them ) are up for clearing/putting stuff into storage.

Does the listing say 'requires updating'?

Requires updating + only one internal photo = nightmare moneypit into which even the estate agent didn't dare to venture

If it was the right price and area, I would have viewed it in our first month of house-hunting, in a spirit of misguided optimism. In later months I would have just ruled it out. As others have said, buyers' time and energy are finite, and if someone hasn't bothered to provide pictures then it either seems very slack (especially in an overpriced listing) or suggests the worst.

Mind you, it sounds like a tricky situation with or without photos. We went through similar with my grandfather's house. Hope it all works out.

Thanks, matcha

No, the listing doesn’t mention updating. Maybe that, & the price, are why some viewers gave it a chance - thinking it must be ok if they’re asking that much? And then realising that no, it really does need work!

I assume a house is rented to tennants when the photos are of outside (mainly) only.

In this case that's wrong but it would mean an added complication to the buying process.

I wouldn't be put off by the no pics but I would be if it was under certain sale conditions. We saw a house that was being sold by solicitors and they would leave it on the market until we had exchanged. I couldn't live with that.

I think they need photos of every room, especially the grim ones, as they want to attract viewers who are actively looking for a doer upper.

As it is, they'll be wasting their time doing viewings by people hoping it's not too bad and then being put off by the work that needs doing.

I'm nodding to all these comments

It doesn't even say estate sale, or no chain delay (or vacant possession on completion - although tbf that might not be so easily arranged under the circs).

I will definitely stick my oar in if nothing happens in 2-3 weeks.

Is it worth more as a plot ? In my area many old houses are knocked down to build fugly footballers houses - if it is a nice plot, maybe all of the outside photos are to sale new build potential ?

One picture? That'd be me done unless I was looking for a renovation project. If it's over priced according to the agent even worse.

The agent is trying to sell it on the good points, not ones that require work. However buyers need to consider if they can live with the kitchen or bathroom. If the price reflected the renovation needed, there might have been an offer by now. The details should make it clear that it needs renovation.

Are buyers worried that it’s probate but has people living in it who, presumsbly, need somewhere to go? Do they have somewhere to go? Are they looking to move out shortly? Are they dependent on the money from the sale to move? Complicated probate and the fact the house is occupied would put me off more than no pictures! I’d just assume it’s manky. Selling empty would be better.

BubblesBuddy

Yes. I'm not put off by needing to renovate, but there's a vast difference between liveable and unliveable properties - will the kitchen suffice for a year? Does the shower look like it will make you dirtier not cleaner?

If it needs work you're never going to convince someone who wants something fresh to view!