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Original poster

Not much interest in our house, thoughts please!

197 replies

Vicki1990 · 01/06/2019 17:40

Hi everyone,

Could do with some advice. We put our house on the market just under 3 weeks ago, whilst we appreciate this isn’t a long time we thought we would’ve had a lot more interest than we’ve had!

We live in a very sought after village, house prices here are on the increase and the market does seem slow. There is no other property like ours in the village, were a 2 bed with beautiful views and we’ve only had 2 viewings! One was the nosy neighbour, naturally. One was a couple looking to relocate to be closer to their daughter in the village, they loved the property and seemed really keen, they’ve left us great feedback but nothing since! They have got a property on the market though.

We have reserved a new build which is almost ready so we are under pressure to get sold!

Please let me know your thoughts!

OP posts:

Isadora2007 · 01/06/2019 18:04

I’d guess that at 2 bedroom it’s just not big enough for people buying. Even my single friend has a four bedroom house as she felt a two bed wasn’t big enough for a spare room plus an office. Or in reality a whole room dedicated to her clothes and shoes like she has now.
It looks like a lovely family home in the photos but just not big enough imo

Aquamarine1029 · 01/06/2019 18:05

It's a lovely home in many ways, but a couple of things that put me off. The no dining room situation would be a no go for me because I really dislike a dining room/lounge combination. Is there not room for a table in the kitchen on the back wall? The second thing, and this isn't a problem for me but lots of people get turned off by weird things, is that everything is very very grey.

keepingbees · 01/06/2019 18:06

I think the last line of 'suitable for first time buyers, couple and investors' is unnecessary and is implying it's small.

I might also wonder why someone is moving after just 2 years.

Original poster

Vicki1990 · 01/06/2019 18:06

We did wonder about the price, we would be willing to take closer to £170,000 but ideally need £171,00. House prices have increased a lot around us, the average 4 bed detached is around half a million - seems extortionate to me!
It’s reallt hard to gage the market as there is nothing else here for the price, we could drop it. We did have a viewing 2 days ago who seemed really keen, loved the house and are now tracking our property, but also have their own to sell so don’t want to drop just yet in case they would offer closer to our asking price!

OP posts:

ChequersDog · 01/06/2019 18:08

Did you pay £165k for it two years ago? That will be the problem. People won’t pay a premium for a two year old new build. You probably need to market it for less than you bought it for.

Carpetburns · 01/06/2019 18:08

I love it OP! If I was in the market for a house like that I'd def buy it. Love the decor and the garden and views beyond are amazing. The market is slow I think and I have no idea about pricing.

Original poster

Vicki1990 · 01/06/2019 18:09

Long story short we bought this to live in for a short while and then rent out as we had plans to emigrate. We bought a 2 bed as rentals go so quickly here and they seem more in demand. We should’ve bought bigger as we had the budget too, but seemed silly when we didn’t plan to live there! We have since changed our plans and are looking to settle here and start a family so wanting a bigger house.

OP posts:

Attache · 01/06/2019 18:11

Sorry crossposted with you.

If I were you I'd get a small table to show that you can get one table in. Even a borrowed camping table (with a cloth or ironed sheet over) might do it.

Original poster

Vicki1990 · 01/06/2019 18:11

Thank you all for your lovely and constructive comments, I put this on money saving expert and have just been absolutely slaughtered on there so I really appreciate your kind feedback. We will take any comments/feedback you give us so it is really appreciated.

OP posts:

BayandBlonde · 01/06/2019 18:14

Is it a leasehold or freehold house? Do you pay any kind of ground rent or maintenance / service charge to maintain the external communal garden areas. Is the estate adopted by the council?

I'm asking this because if it's yes to most then it's not a true freehold. This is putting a lot of buyers off because mortgage companies are starting to refuse lending on certain leasehold houses due to onerous lease terms.

Villanellesproudmum · 01/06/2019 18:15

It’s lovely, has the new builds in the area completed now?

ChequersDog · 01/06/2019 18:15

What did they say on MSE? The house is totally unobjectionable, it’s just overpriced

Borisdaspide · 01/06/2019 18:17

Very new house with open field behind it is just automatically going to make people think that it's going to be built on in short order, basically. It doesn't really matter if that's not (apparently) the case because people are going to assume it anyway.

vitaminC · 01/06/2019 18:25

My first thought was how grey and dreary it all looks and that I would need to repaint almost every room, just to brighten it up!

And if for the same price I could get a new build in the area and choose the paint colour and have it done for me prior to moving in, there would be no question which I would choose.

Can you inject a bit of colour - a coloured vase with bright flowers in the kitchen, a coloured rug or cushions in the other rooms, etc?

Original poster

Vicki1990 · 01/06/2019 18:29

Maybe the photos don’t show it clear enough, there is a park in the field behind the house not directly behind our property but does mean building isn’t an option. Of course they may build to the side in years to come!
It is freehold, no ground rent or maintenance fees. The communal green spaces are looked after but we aren’t sure who by, they’re always tended to whilst we’re at work!
All the new builds on this development we’re finished 2017, we were one of the last to move in, albeit it there’s only 34 houses on this development.
MSE said our house should be £150,000, shouldn’t have shared drive way, too small, too dark, hates the fence panels, hate the shared grass area in front of our house as it’s shared with the neighbours. Hates the grey, the list goes on! Have taken the comments on board, may possibly re paint, have certainly decluttered the kitchen and taken new photos, and have taken more photos of the house to show it isn’t all grey walls!

OP posts:

Toddlerteaplease · 01/06/2019 18:31

It's lovely, but too much grey!

Original poster

Vicki1990 · 01/06/2019 18:32

Yes we could certainly inject some colour! Thinking of coloured pictures, flowers and cushions?
The closest new build to us now is a 3 bed semi in our village, the same size as ours but with no views and they’re on for £210,000 to £232,500!

OP posts:

CodenameVillanelle · 01/06/2019 18:33

house prices here are on the increase and the market does seem slow

Those two statements contradict each other. If people are listing their properties at higher prices but they aren't selling, then prices aren't on the increase.

ChequersDog · 01/06/2019 18:34

I think MSE might be about right about the price. You pay a significant premium for a new build and after two years that premium is gone. You won’t get what you paid for it. The other stuff is just personal taste and mostly stuff you can’t do anything about.

ChequersDog · 01/06/2019 18:35

People will also play a premium for a three bed, whatever the square footage. There’s no point comparing to three beds.

Original poster

Vicki1990 · 01/06/2019 18:39

I’m only comparing to the 3 beds as they are the only other options closest to ours in the village, or even within a few miles. Appreciate we’re not a 3 bed so shouldn’t be comparing to them but they are the closest to us on the current market here. There’s a 2 bed bungalow (which used to be my husbands garage at his old family home) and that’s £230,000 or there are apartments with no outdoor space (again my husbands old family home which has now been made into apartments) one of which is a 1 bed for £135,000 and a 3 bed for £195,000, so nothing really to compare it to here! We thought that would mean we would stand out but obviously not.

OP posts:

Dippypippy1980 · 01/06/2019 18:39

Th house is lovely. A slightly different photo, different word or a pink cushion won’t change your viewing. It’s the price.

Talk to your estate agent - ask for their advice. People here will comment, but they probably don’t know the market in your area.

PrincessTiggerlily · 01/06/2019 18:41

I would target dog owners. Lots of dog walking space there. Can you borrow a dog and include a pic of a happy dog on cosy bed.

Original poster

Vicki1990 · 01/06/2019 18:47

I can try and take a photo of my own dog if she would sit still long enough haha!
We thought the dog might put people off so removed all evidence of her from the photos!

OP posts:

IndianaMoleWoman · 01/06/2019 18:50

To me it looks more like a 2 bed flat split over two floors than a house. I’d be concerned about storage; maybe add a cheap little shed and get the loft boarded/ladder/light?

I think people are always a bit more wary nowadays about buying next to undeveloped land - we’ve all heard horror stories. Have you actually googled your area for planning permission applications/train lines/fracking plans etc.?

Are you near any good/outstanding schools? Transport links? Also, where do you eat? Maybe some garden furniture to help people imagine eating/relaxing out there?

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