Not much interest in our house, thoughts please!

[Vicki1990]

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!

For what it's worth I think the things that are preventing people booking viewings and making offers aren't related to presentation so I wouldn't tie myself up in knots trying to please everybody as these things are often incredibly subjective anyway. I think your main problems are:

1. The open land. Yes, it provides gorgeous views but it's also presents a massive risk for buyers who will know that future development is incredibly likely in medium/long term and there could be all kinds of issues relating to people misusing the land e.g. gypsies, gangs of teenagers etc. I used to own a house near open land and swore never again.
2. Two bedroom houses are just less desirable, especially for families. The space constraints are obvious and even first time buyers don't want to buy a house that will quickly become too small.
3. Your house isn't brand new anymore and consequently has lost the premium that this commands. An almost brand new house is a lot less desirable and you obviously won't be offering the perks that developers can such as a choice of interiors/plots or the opportunity to trade in buyer's houses.
4. Purple bricks is a red flag to many prospective buyers who will be instantly out off. Unfortunately my experience of PB is that it is favoured by unrealistic sellers that want to milk their property for more than it's worth.

I think these all of these things are currently working against you and the top three things could well be limiters on the price. You have tested the market already and discovered the level of interest in your property at the current price. You can choose to spend months fiddling around the edges with patio furniture and bright cushions hoping this will snare a buyer, but keep in mind that a sort of stigma can develop around properties that are viewed to have been on the market too long. People start to wonder if there is something fundamentally wrong and it can make your house appear undesirable. This can mean that when you do eventually lower your price then the house will still struggle to attract interest as it's been hanging around so long that anyone that would be interested has already written it off.

No, never heard of good fellows!
Well a 2 bed semi sold last year for £171,950 after asking £175,000 like us and it was on a not so nice estate, so I don’t think we’re out pricing ourselves, especially as we will accept a lower offer. Other than that there isn’t anything else to compare it to other than new builds in a village 4ish miles away which are £185,000 for a 2 bed semi.
We will drop if we need to, but seeing as though we have a bit of time we are trying a different estate agent first, and we’ve only been on for a few weeks, would like to know we’ve tried everything possible before dropping the price.

Another one saying add some colour, a few cushions & the odd vase should do it.

I think the house is lovely and I am very fussy
The only thing I would be put off by would be the lack of dining space. However, I would imagine that those who are buying a two bed would not necessarily need much dining room space.
I would reduce the price by about £2000 for now.

There are two 3 beds for sale at around your price. If you go out around 2 miles there are plenty at sub £200,000. Last year isn’t current. There isn’t much in your price range but going s bit further afield there is. You are also not on OnTheMarket. Rightmove isn’t the only kid on the block! There are also attractive new 3 beds for £210,000 which, when prices were at that level around me, meant 2 beds were £165,000 without a garage. It’s hard to sell in some areas and you cannot price hike because prices are static at best.

The picture from the front is quite unattractive. I would start with one of the view, that would definitely get me to click. Take down the canvas above your tv. If you can be bothered get rid of the green feature wall and lampshade. Otherwise it seems like a nice, neat and well maintained house.

I can only think it's down to price. It looks like a family house, but only has two bedrooms. That does put it in a bit of a niche category maybe?

I sold my 1st house
Ie ex council only a 2 bed
Small house
But a huge garden to a 1st time buyer
He now lets it out
He put a offer in on the first day
Believe me its all about the price 😆

I haven’t seen the 3 beds for 175,000, where are they please?

A new build is a bit like a new car: it loses 15% once you've driven it off the forecourt...

So for me it's entirely the price. New builds are great for living in but if you are going to seek quickly then you have to suck up a loss.

Yes a good agent will have a bottom price
To the top price
They have people on the books
Have a open morning
If the buyers are truly interested
They bid
Its really different now
The way houses are sold by agents🏠

Difficult to say without knowing the areas but the town a good enough reason for someone to pick yours over this one? Kitchen is small but it has a dining area, a 3rd bedroom and a really good size conservatory. www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-60047436.html

Also I would suggest removing the OIRO because that can be v off-putting, especially to FTBs.

I wouldn't repaint the dark wall, the rest is so neutral it breaks up the pics slightly.

Purple bricks puts me off. Properties round here on purple bricks are often then put back on with a local agent. I want an actual person to speak to about it and shown round by an agent on visit 1.

I wonder if it is that the market is more limited for that size of property at that price ie bit too expensive for the young professional first time buyer market and not enough bedrooms for the family market? Nothing you can do about that. The house is beautiful, I just think it will take longer due to limited market but should be very attractive. The couple with a property to sell won't be in a position to make an offer yet.

I have tried to find a property to buy with Purple Bricks. It was not just bad it was the worst property site I have found, I gave up in the end.

Ah yes I know the one, it’s just fallen through this weekend, it’s our agent who’s marketing it. For whatever reason house prices in that village are really low, and that is one for more than a 4 bed was a few months ago! It’s actually the same size as ours according to our agent, but it is about to have 12 houses built right by it! There have been 3 on that street up for sale recently due to the planning.
I agree some people may prefer that one to ours despite location, and like I say we will drop the price if needs be but for now we are going with the advice of our current and newly appointed estate agents.

I agree with many of the other posters on here that Purple Bricks is not the best way to get your house sold.

I would put it on with a good local agent.

They will also have a view on what is an achievable price in the area. Other buyers may be looking in a wide area based on needing to commute to a local town - where's the nearest commercial centre? Look in a ten mile or so radius around there. Then you'll see what your competition is. But an agent will know this.

I think it looks a perfectly nice house, albeit people who like new houses often want a new house, rather than a two year old house, so that may be an issue. But I like a wreck that I can do up, so I'm not the best person to ask about that.

But we shouldn’t have to get rid of the things we love and want just because people can’t use their imagination!

Fine, if you aren’t that arsed about selling. Which it doesn’t sound like you are.

You know pekoe generally have pretty rubbish imaginations when it comes to houses.

The house is very neat & tidy looking but all that battleship grey... so dour. I'd be thinking it needs a complete redecorate.

@Vicki1990....just my 2 pence worth having brought and sold 2 houses with purplebricks.....the agent for my area is faultless. Truly brilliant. Attentive and always on the ball. We decided to do our own viewings and feedback was people preferred that as any questions we could answer straight away. I suppose every area is different and perhaps where you are PB arent seen as any good. We found them great and the portal is good too. Personal choice I suppose though.

How have you got on with getting it on with other agents? Any updates?

Sometimes its a waiting game
All our surveys done
Valuation,homebuyers,
Now wanting to have a "free damp survey"
Havent heard a thing on 4wks
Dont know why this is !!