Still No Viewings 2 Weeks After Back Up For Sale

[Ramsey1989]

I think I have finally managed to open a new thread (thanks for everyone's patience of previously jumping on the back of your threads).

So long story short, timeline for attempt at selling house and buying a bigger one is as follows:

1st August - listed house for sale with YOPA
6th August - After couple of days of negotiation accepted offer
6th September - Offer accepted on purchase of new house
1st October - Mortgage offer received, survey completed, sale of our place going well and only a week or two from exchange - then receive email from our buyer saying they are withdrawing from the purchase.
8th October - Seller of house we were buying puts his house back up for sale, though he said if we find another buyer he will accept our offer again.

Our buyer gave the following reasons for withdrawing from purchase:

• Maintenance fee of £43pm (for upkeep of private road and shrubberies, all 10 houses in close pay this), though the buyers knew this before viewing property and our agent reiterated this at the viewing before they offered. Buyers were also looking specifically for a flat so this is so much cheaper than leasehold flats.

• Subsidence risk is 'Low'; buyer said it should start at a scale of zero, however we have had confirmed by our solicitor that this scale is low, moderate, high, very high for southern properties. So as buyer is from north I think they got a bit confused.

• Alternative energy sources within 5k of property effecting ongoing value - again puzzled by this because I would understand of there was a wind turbine outside our window but we can't seen anything as we live in a town...

For whatever reason they changed their mind; so we need to find a new buyer fast, or we lose any chance of our onward purchase.

I have de-cluttered and had new photos taken as suggested; this was a good idea of everyone as I remember when viewing houses we preferred ones with only a bit of furniture, as we could then picture our own furniture in it easier.

Some may be put off by living over garages; however they are quieter than people I can assure you, none of the three garages (as we have 1 of them) have light/ power/ water and have strict covenants restricting doing any work to your car in or outside of the garage.

As the title of the post suggests we haven't had any viewing requests since it was put back up for sale; yet it was so popular when we bought it, and very popular when we had it up for sale at the start of August - EA says it is unusually quiet across the board from the start of October and he thinks it will pick up, but it isn't looking good.

I am just looking for anyone's help in trying to get some viewings? or whether they have struggled getting viewings after a sale has fallen through and what they did about it?

Listing is here:

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-55790604.html

Good luck, hope you get is shifted soon. Selling is so stressful and the current environment makes it even worse.

I agree it's difficult to critically appraise your own home - I've done it. Minor details add up to an overall picture which may or may not appeal. Lots of people skip past things that don't grab them immediately.

You clearly want to sell or you wouldn't be asking for advice here. I wasn't saying you were being too slow, just that you need to prioritise as someone looking at the photos as they browse Rightmove isn't going to think, "Oh this person hasn't had time to do x, y, z because they have a job and run a business from home." They're going to think, "Why is there all that stuff on top of the storage units? Why is there no clear work surface in the kitchen? Why is the dining table pushed up against the wall so you can't use all the chairs, etc." And they will quite likely decide there's no decent storage in the flat or it's not big enough for them.

You really can move furniture and rugs, etc for photos - you just pull it out of the way then put it back when the photo has been taken. The last time we sold, the EA decided where he was taking the shot from and moved anything he didn't want in the photo. As for the garage - put the car on the drive if necessary. Move it round the corner out of the way for the photo showing the drive and garage for the flat. None of this is difficult.

I think it would really help your flat if the second bedroom were presented as a bedroom. At the moment it's presented purely as an office although you've a sofabed in there.

I get that you had a sale agreed before so it should have been easy enough to find another buyer, but as you've had no viewings you need to up your game, for want of a better term.

@wowfudge

That armchair is massive and heavy; it won't fit in the hallway to take a photo so not easy, and EA can't lift it on his own whilst he is there during the day.

The only way to get it out is if I can sell it on Gumtree (free pick up really as its 3rd hand) before Thursday; and our drive has a car in it which belongs to my boyfriend who lives with me so I can't move it out the way for very long, as it needs to go back in the garage each night when I come home.

I have already given instructions to EA to take photos of clear kitchen (with everything removed from side and on top of cupboards), and another shot with all 4 chairs round dining table looking towards kitchen so it shows as a kitchen/ diner. So this will happen on Thursday along with bedroom one having fresh newly ironed white bedding and nothing messy on top of chest of draws or windowsill or stuffed teddies.

I sold my big dark bookcase on Saturday so this wasn't in the 2nd bedroom photos; which surely you can agree is much better than the original dark clattered busy look, and ok it is an office but I don't have another bed - only the sofa bed which is flat on floor when laid out so will look terrible if I pull it out for a photo, point is there is enough room for a double bed and you can see that from the photo and floor plan (plus having 2nd photo taken towards door and sofa bed on Thursday - when we bought the house it only had a sofa and sideboard in there).

I do agree with you in certain points. You are selling (most likely) to a first time buyer. They want to move in, not have to do much and enjoy their first place. Generally, there's no spare cash so finding something with a nice kitchen, bathroom, walls and flooring is great.

Unfortunately, some people will have already seen your photos and written you off.

I would prioritise the following:

Bathroom- I think it's nice, doesn't need changing. The skirting looks yellow and needs painting. Can't remember if it's this photo with the loo roll sat on it but move it for new photo.
Ensuite- really nice
Kitchen- de clutter even if just for the photo
Bedroom- de clutter. New bedding wouldn't bother me.
Lounge- de clutter. Move the rug (is it hiding old carpets?). Do you have to have the throw? Move the table and put some fresh flowers in a vase on it. To me, the lounge is your biggest issue.

I bought my second property based on getting the feeling. It was homely and inviting and clearly a happy home. You need to sell the lifestyle of your flat. You haven't owned it a long time. Be ready to answer why.

@Baxdream

Perhaps people have already written it off with previous photos; however I can hope they were like me, scoured through every page of rightmove and looked at properties over and over to remember why I discounted them and didn't book a viewing xD

Bathroom - Yes perhaps bit its matches all the doors in the flat, they are all that yellow tinge colour. The main bathroom was ok as it had a toilet roll holder, it was the en-suite with toilet roll on top of the loo.
Ensuite - hard to get good picture of this, so as it should be ok.
Kitchen - this is in process of being de-cluttered and new photo to be taken Thursday.
Bedroom - de-clutted this last night, ordered new bedding on advise of others so hopefully if anything the white bedding will make it look fresh.
Lounge - I can remove the rug as it isnt hiding anything. The armchair is a very dark brown colour and bit of an eyesore so this is why it has always had a throw on it (got it for free from relative when moving in) but will list on gumtree to go for free and get picture without it there. I will get some fake flowers and put in vase on table.

Yes we have not been there that long; it is a lovely place but when we were looking for our first home we wanted a 3 bedroom house, however our budget didn't stretch at the time as our wages were low - that has changed a lot in the past three years and now considering starting a family in future need a house for this (easier to move now, than have the baby in not suitable apartment and not be able to move cause childcare etc is considered in spending for mortgage app).

I have had a go at amending the house add description, I am not very good at wording but what do you think?

This superb coach house apartment was built in 2011, has the remainder of its LABC guarantee up to 2021 and would make a perfect first time buy. The property itself is quietly positioned, with no neighbouring flats.

The property has its own private front door with stairs leading up to the bright, sunny lounge which has more than enough space for a dining table, sofa and lounge furniture. Both the bedrooms are good sized doubles and the main bedroom has an en-suite shower room.

This apartment has plenty of storage space with a loft running the length of the building and also a built in storage cupboard in the garage.

As an added feature there is a solar hot water heating system which reduces your gas costs. The apartment is in good decorative condition and is ready to move straight into.

Location

Set back from Ringwood Road just a few minutes walk from the local shops and restaurants in Ferndown. Bus stops are close by.

Hallway: Airing cupboard. Storage cupboard.

Lounge/Diner: 17'8 x 12'6 Open plan to kitchen. Three double glazed windows. Radiator.

Kitchen: 8'6 x 7'4 Modern fitted with a good range of worktops and cupboards. Fitted oven, hob and extractor hood. Integrated fridge freezer, washing machine and dishwasher. Double glazed window.

Bedroom 1: 17'8 x 10'6 Radiator. Double glazed window.

En-Suite: Double width shower cubicle. Wash basin. Velux window. WC. Radiator.

Bedroom 2: 14'2 x 8'2 Radiator. Double glazed window.

Bathroom: Bath. Wash basin. WC. Extractor. Radiator.

Loft Space: Covering the entire apartment. Loads of storage space, some boarding and a light.

Outside To The Front: A fenced area and an additional hedged and lawned garden, all of which could be combined and fenced to form a nice private garden.

Garage: With light, power and water. Built in storage cupboard

Service Charges: £43 per month (this is for the upkeep of the private road and shrubberies)

EPC Band: B

** I also may have got rid of the armchair on Gumtree, and if it isn't picked up by tomorrow I will put a protective selofane sheet all round it and put it in the fenced garden - so it won't be there when EA takes more photos tomorrow (also folding up rug so it is out of photos as suggested).

Going to buy some flowers; going to move unit next to TV where the armchair is now, so it looks more spacious and I will take the display cabinet down from behind the dining room table.

I will make sure all four chairs are round the dining table and pulled away from the radiator, and I will dress it like they do in show homes with a runner/ plates/ glasses etc.

This superb coach house apartment was built in 2011 has the remainder of its LABC guarantee up to 2021. The property itself is quietly positioned, with no neighbouring flats and would be suitable for a wide variety of buyers ranging from first timers to those looking to downsize.

The apartment is the sole residential unit in a detached property and owns the freehold of the property. It has its own front door and garage, with stairs leading to the apartment which occupies the entire first floor . There is a large loft which runs the length of the building and also a storage cupboard in the garage.

The property comprises a large , bright open plan living area with modern fitted kitchen, ample space for a dining table and living room furniture. There are 2 good sized double bedrooms and a family bathroom plus the main bedroom has an ensuite shower room. There is an airing cupboard and storage cupboard in the hall.

In addition to this it currently has two garden areas which could be combined giving a larger private garden and an added benefit is the solar hot water heating system which results in significantly reduced gas heating costs. The apartment is in good decorative condition and ready to move straight into.

Location.
Set back from Ringwood Road just a few minutes walk to local shops and restaurants and within walking distance of the 3 local schools.

I’m sure others will have helpful suggestions but if the top of my head I think so,eth8ng like this at the start.

@PostNotInHaste

That sounds much better! I will make sure it is amended to this.

I think you could write these for a living :)

@Ramsey1989 can we see the new listing?

@YouAreMyRain

You can but be gentle; ive had a rough time transforming the house, badgering the EA and had family health problems to deal with ._.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-55790604.html

Oh wow, well done! Can see a lot of work went into that and showed DH who is also impressed. Fingers crossed for some viewings.

@PostNotInHaste

Thank you :) its good to know my effort didnt go to waste this week!

That's loads better! Well done!

@YouAreMyRain

Thanks _

Hi op I can see it would be so hard to have your much loved home talked about in a negative way. It's a unusual property so may put some people off but I'm sure lots of others will love it. The only thing I would say is we recently bought at flat and the garden was a huge selling point to us we really really wanted a garden. We where basically in the position of only being able to afford a flat in the area we wanted but we had to have a garden. So my only point would be really sell the garden and perhaps make a little seating area few pots ect so it looks like a usable space. I agree I don't think people are usually put off because of decorating but if the market is slow and they are loads of options local people may be more likely to just choose their top 5 to see. Good luck

Wow OP: it looks like a different flat! The photos are much better as they actually show the layout of the living space. I can see you’ve tried to show the garden area too. Fingers crossed for you.

Wow that is amazing!! Looks so much better. Well done op.

I was so confused reading this thread, as the first link shows the new photos (I think). Was wondering what on earth people were talking about, trying to spot packs of loo rolls and soft toys! Well done it looks great.

@PostNotInHaste @Baxdream @ wowfudge @Sleephead1

Thank you everyone for all your help, least now i know my lack of viewings wont be down to a crap advert.

@CottonSock I thought the same thing. Didn't realise those were new photos! Flat looks great OP x

@lboogy

Thank you :)