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Original poster

Only one viewing after two weeks, thoughts?

118 replies

Fern204 · 29/05/2019 18:00

We want to move back to Brighton in the next 12 months. Just finished various bits of work in the house, and decided to go to market to see what happens. However, we went with the highest EA valuation, although they justified it against other properties, initally went on at £525k and it was changed next day to Guide Price 500k to 525k. We have only had one viewing in the first 2 weeks. Apparently there has been a massive number of hits on rightmove, and people are not viewing until they are under offer. Can you have a look and give me your thoughts.... we may decide to come off just now, and try again after Christmas.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-71671789.html?premiumA=true

OP posts:
Neron · 29/05/2019 22:39

Not sure number of 'hits' on rightmove mean anything and how would your estate agent know about people not viewing? I honestly don't trust EAs and wonders if it's just what they're telling you?
I think it's overpriced in comparison to what else is available for the same price or less. Also with people being able to view what you paid a few years ago and are now expecting 200k more when it doesn't seem justifiable.
Wish you luck with it OP

Attache · 29/05/2019 22:58

I think going with the top agent's valuation is often a mistake. Some agents overvalue to get your business. You can have 3 agents value close together and still find they've all overpriced it, so I would be very wary of going in £50k more than the lowest suggestion you got if you are keen to actually sell it.

For me as a buyer with a couple of small children (so fairly mainstream), it's just not as appealing as a house with 3 bedrooms on the same floor, so I am not going to pay the premium you probably want for the en suite etc. I'd have preferred the upstairs before the loft and en suite modifications. It's nice though, and the downstairs is well designed. Someone will buy it at the right price.

I would maybe change the first pic so it is more zoomed in to the house, and doesn't raise questions about front access.

Greenfingers1 · 29/05/2019 23:41

The reduced head height isn't noted on the floor plan and should be. You don't want people wasting their time and yours if that's a deal breaker.

Tinytomato2 · 29/05/2019 23:42

No viewings means it's overpriced.

feliciabirthgiver · 29/05/2019 23:59

Hi OP, I'm just down the road from you so know the local market well. Your house is lovely and the pics are fine it's just over priced and I think you'll get much more interest if you drop the asking price as the other posters have suggested.
Good luck!

wowfudge · 30/05/2019 07:51

If the loft was converted before the building regs regime came into effect in November 1985 then there is no issue for the OP to worry about.

Isitmybathtimeyet · 30/05/2019 07:52

Rightmove Premium means the agent has paid more for a more eye catching ad. It’s not a value judgement by Rightmove or any comment on the quality of the house. I could list my falling down shed as Rightmove Premium if I was willing to pay for it.

And course estate agents know how many viewings you’ve had. They take the requests and probably take the applicants round. Or are you confusing it with website views, Neron? It was late at night! (Although they can track those too.)

Neron · 30/05/2019 08:20

No @Isitmybathtimeyet , OP's EA said people are not viewing until they have sold their houses and I wonder how they know that. Are they calling everyone on their books to see if they want to view OPs house and that's what they are being told? I think it's something they've told her because they massively overpriced it to get the business and with only 1 viewing, it does seem price is the problem here

pinkdelight · 30/05/2019 08:28

"If the loft was converted before the building regs regime came into effect in November 1985 then there is no issue for the OP to worry about."

Perhaps not legally but it will still put buyers off. It's we'll know now that there are 'loft rooms' and proper full loft conversions, and it's a rare buyer that would pay the same for both. Some wouldn't consider using it as a bedroom if it didn't meet building regs. In the absence of paperwork, it should still ne possible for a pro to advise on whether it meets regs for fire safety, construction etc so that the OP can at least clear up the issue and sell it honestly as either 3 or 2 bed instead of presenting buyers with a problem.

LIZS · 30/05/2019 08:40

Was about to post same as @pinkdelight . You need to minimise that element of doubt as a survey will raise it as a potential issue and send purchasers into a spin.

mathanxiety · 30/05/2019 08:46

With the dining table and chairs pushed over almost on top of the fireplace it looks as if you are trying to hide a damaged floor underneath, or hiding something ugly in the fireplace. Or is there a damaged area under the rig where it is now?

Why not pull the rug to the middle of the floor and put the table and chairs on the rug?

I love your decor and colours. There are many gorgeous features in the house - massive brick chimney, fireplaces, semi open plan downstairs, exposed wood, wood floors (swoon), tiled kitchen floor (more swooning) and your gardens look lovely. Love the Rayburn too.

Maybe it's the price.

woodcutbirds · 30/05/2019 08:50

I love the feel of your house but think the price is wrong. For a similar price there's a 5 bed detached and for cheaper price a wide range of three-beds nearby. You might be thinking put it on high but take a lower offer, but so might the people who are already priced lower than you. There are several detached houses on offer in your area in that price range.

CatkinToadflax · 30/05/2019 08:52

It’s a lovely house but for me the upstairs seems disproportionately small compared with the downstairs. I also wouldn’t be keen that there’s no family bathroom, just a shower room, and that the larger bathroom is the en-suite. Unfortunately I would also say that the bits you’ve spent the money on would be unlikely to increase the price. I do think it’s significantly overpriced. It’s a lovely house though and I really like your yellow front door! Lovely and cheerful!

Isitmybathtimeyet · 30/05/2019 08:54

OP's EA said people are not viewing until they have sold their houses and I wonder how they know that. Are they calling everyone on their books to see if they want to view OPs house and that's what they are being told?

Ah, I see, Neron. I share your scepticism of EAs who value high for business so I see where you’re coming from. It may be the general state of the market I guess - stuff is selling slowly so people are holding off on viewing before they are under offer for fear of losing ‘the dream house’ maybe? But tht would be generic rather than a response to the OP’s house.

MrsBobDylan · 30/05/2019 09:24

The price and the loft room - could you get new pics of that done?

Also, the extremely high bed?! It looks as though you've stored three beds underneath it. This won't affect sale obv but I need to know!!

MrsBobDylan · 30/05/2019 09:25

Beautifully presented btw, lovely cottage feel.

JoJoSM2 · 30/05/2019 10:27

The house is fab so bringing down the price should help. I think that another problem could be the fact that you converted the box room into an en-suite. Personally, I think it's great but many people looking at houses of this size need that room for a child's bedroom. That might limit your market which means it'll take a little longer to shift.

StoatofDisarray · 30/05/2019 10:58

The living room is awful, especially that monstrous fireplace. Paint it white!

Also, the checkerboard tiling in the kitchen is pretty grim. Not sure what you can do about that.

I also agree with PPs about the garage and patio areas.

cakeandchampagne · 30/05/2019 11:03

The things on shelves with glass doors (below books) look messy in the photo.
Many people might want to see a less casual garden. (Not me!)
I especially like the large kitchen window & the neutral bathroom.
Your home is lovely!

CassianAndor · 30/05/2019 11:39

please do not paint that amazing chimneybreast white! What a dreadful idea!

OKBobble · 30/05/2019 11:50

Yes it will be classed as a 2 bedroomed house with a loft that does not meet building regs so cannot be classed as a bedroom and that may have an impact on mortgage valuations.

I am not sure why the agent thought the picture of the messy area outside would assist to attract people.

woodcutbirds · 30/05/2019 12:09

That chimney breast is a gorgeous feature of the house. Leave it as it is. Your house is going to appeal to people who like quite a natural, bohemian look, not sharp edges and state-of-the-art shininess.

FriarTuck · 30/05/2019 12:13

You're going to miss out on everyone who wants to pay £475k as that's what they'll be setting their search on
That's a really good point.
Nicely decorated though!

Original poster
Fern204 · 30/05/2019 12:20

Love all the feedback, thank you, but I wont be painting the fireplace white!
EA has reduced to 475k and removed photos which werent helping. We will be painting the studio this week and taking new photos next week.
Hoping for a more positive response...

OP posts:
thisisadistraction · 30/05/2019 13:19

Love the house op. Decor is beautiful. Are you Sri Lankan? If I was in the uk I'd buy it!

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