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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:
thatmustbenigelwiththebrie · 06/06/2019 16:20

PS where do you live? it's so flat!

Original poster
Vicki1990 · 06/06/2019 16:46

We have a porch for shoes and coats, it’s on the floor plan.
Thank you winterrose!
Instructed another agent just waiting for them to come and do photos next week! Lots of improvements being done in the meantime.

OP posts:
Cottipus · 07/06/2019 08:38

I think your presentation is absolutely fine. It wouldn’t put me off at all. PB might be, as PPs have noted.

Just had a quick look at the listings in Baschurch and the area looks very similar to where I am price wise. Round here there are some very expensive ‘luxury’ newbuilds but it doesn’t mean the area is on the up- older houses have had only minimal rises. Our house for example has only been valued at 10% higher than we bought it 7 years ago.

I suspect it probably is a little overpriced (and it’s a tough market) which leaves you with the options to either wait it out, drop the price and/or change agents, rent it out or take it off the market with a view to selling later. It looks like it would be fine for a couple with baby/toddler so if you don’t need to sell you could certainly get a couple more years out of it at least. Just a few more things to think about!

thecatsthecats · 07/06/2019 08:42

It's not really much use to the OP to point out her house isn't big enough. She knows that, that's why she's moving to start a family. If she could magically add a dining room or a nice wide hallway, I'm sure she wouldn't be selling.

Well, it's not something she can change, but it's something that would affect how buyers see the house.

To get the very best house prices a house needs to tick desirable criteria, and have affluent enough buyers to bid for it. When a house is lacking in some ways, some of them can be improved, but some you just need to accept as affecting your house price.

My house is on a slow but busy-ish junction. It was therefore cheaper than the houses closer to the high street even though it has a much bigger garden, a show-standard kitchen and a driveway.

Gatoadigrado · 07/06/2019 10:32

Do you think people might be put off by the play park it backs onto? It looks lovely in the photo, but unfortunately play parks can become a hang out space for teenagers to smoke and play music in the evenings.

Obviously nothing you can do to change the location but maybe reassuring prospective buyers by encouraging them to view again during a summer evening so they can test for themselves whether it’s a peaceful haven.

AmberorSiena · 07/06/2019 10:50

My nephew's first house was quite similar. It suited him well when single, with his partner and while their first child was small.

What his did have was space in the kitchen for a table. If you don't have that, you should show there's room for one in the living-room. A fish tank shouldn't have priority!

GiantKitten · 07/06/2019 11:09

For the benefit of those asking where to put coats, shoes, buggy etc

There’s a substantial brick porch at the front!

Not much interest in our house, thoughts please!
123L · 07/06/2019 11:22

Ever thought of a open day
Some time wasters
But it gets people interested
Just a thought👍

Original poster
Vicki1990 · 07/06/2019 14:32

The fish tank won’t be moving, we love it we watch it more than the tv! Plus it’s cost a fortune, agree with what you’re saying, that is where a dining table should go, but why should we get rid of something that we love just so people can see a table instead?! They can use their imagination!
Have thought of an open day thanks for the suggestion, will see how it goes with the other estate agent first, and then maybe organise one!
Yes it’s possible the park might be an off put, although it’s really not an issue, we can’t hear a thing inside!

OP posts:
AmberorSiena · 07/06/2019 14:51

Ok, but I thought the whole point of arranging a house for sale to show it at its best is because a lot of people don't have imagination!

Original poster
Vicki1990 · 07/06/2019 14:55

But we shouldn’t have to get rid of the things we love and want just because people can’t use their imagination! I think you have to use your imagination for every house you view, you won’t be living there with the vendors possessions in it, so you have to use a bit of imagination to see yourself and your belongings there!
Also, if we don’t get our new house then our current house will come off the market and we will continue to live there so don’t want to change it to too much of a show home.

OP posts:
Attache · 07/06/2019 14:59

Get the price right and the staging right and you might sell in a week.

Skyejuly · 07/06/2019 15:12

We had to move our fish tank on the end but it was a 7ft one and as soon as we moved it someone made a offer!

BunnyJumps · 07/06/2019 15:15

You have a beautiful home!

The market is slow across the board so it isn't just you sticking.

Have you looked on Rightmove to see what similar homes in your area sold for to gauge the whether the price is reasonable?

When I saw the views, I also wondered what the likelihood was that building work will take place there in the future, given that your house is relatively new.

clubchair · 07/06/2019 15:20

You did say this earlier in the thread "Thank you everyone, there is space for a dining table in the lounge where my husbands fish tank is- common argument for us!" I assumed your DH loved the fishtank and you would prefer to put a table there.

And now you say you won't move if you don't sell your house. Does that mean you have priced your house on the basis of what you need to get to enable you to buy the house you have your eye on? That might not be what it is worth. Could you ask the vendors of the house you're interested in if they will take a lower offer?

Original poster
Vicki1990 · 07/06/2019 15:22

Yeah, our problem is there are no properties near us that are similar! The closest we can find is a village 3/4 miles away that had new build 2 beds for sale last year at £185,000! Not sure if we can compare to them though being a different area!
We’re constantly checking planning, there’s plans to build almost 100 houses the other end of the village but not approved yet, nothing as of yet near us, but obviously this may happen. The closest development to us had phase 2 refused a few months back, so might be a while before they build again!

OP posts:
Original poster
Vicki1990 · 07/06/2019 15:39

No not at all, that’s where I want my Xmas tree to go!! Haha, in all seriousness I do like the fish tank, but would rather see the space utilised better.
We came across the new house unexpectedly fell in love with it and decided to move, we weren’t desperate to move before that hence we will continue living here if we don’t get the other house! For now it’s reserved for a certain time period.

OP posts:
Original poster
Vicki1990 · 07/06/2019 15:48

And no, not what we need, as I’ve said before we will accept a lower offer but this is what was recommended to go on at by several EA’s hence following their advice. Will see how we go with the other agent, tempted to drop now but it’s only been 3 weeks and we’ve got a bit of time yet!

OP posts:
Isitmybathtimeyet · 07/06/2019 17:05

It’s not about imagination. You were interested in why you’re not getting viewings! When I looked at the photos I didn’t even notice the fish tank. I was though looking for your table and chairs to get an idea of where there was room for them. As I didn’t see them, and the floor plan didn’t show a secret room for them, I assumed the house was too small for one and therefore probably wouldn’t view it. The size of a fish tank isn’t easy to calibrate from a photo. People mainly view houses that they can see from the website listing have the basics that they need. It’s great that you love your fish tank but it may not generate you viewings. Grin

123L · 08/06/2019 16:32

Just seen a pic of your house
It looks really lovely
It will definatley sell💟

ChequersDog · 08/06/2019 18:06

Is there a reason it has to be now you move? You’re probably going to have to take a small loss to sell the house, which you may not have to do in a few years. The house is fine for one child.

123L · 10/06/2019 09:47

Any more news
Had anymore viewings over the weekend🌞🌞

Original poster
Vicki1990 · 10/06/2019 10:21

No nothing yet! Had purplebricks out to do more photos and write a new description this weekend and that went live yesterday. Then this evening we have another estate agent coming to do photos etc so hopefully will go live with them in a couple of days!

OP posts:
123L · 10/06/2019 10:44

Do you have Goodfellows estate agents
Your way
As my brother and us also are with them and they get people looking

BubblesBuddy · 10/06/2019 10:53

Around 18 months ago I marketed a tiny 2 bed house at the price the agent said. They look at historical prices, not what you would pay now. I looked at sold prices and realised there was a gap between my price and sold prices for similar. I immediately dropped by £10,000 (£265,000 down to £255,000) and sold. There are many new houses in this area so no point competing! Mine wasn’t shiny new and was essentially a starter home with a garage and a lovely new front door! It nearly always comes down to price I’m afraid.