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Original poster

Selling our house (link included)

67 replies

SellingOurHome · 09/09/2019 14:08

Hi Mumsnet,

I wondered if I could get some feedback on our house - please be gentle.

Our house has had 5 offers in total from £545,000 - 567,500 and we have had 4 buyers now, all of which have dropped out (not them dropping out but their buyers dropping out - they are still trying to sell and some are still interested in the property). We dropped our price for a quick sale from £575,000 to £535,000 but it's pretty slow...

Just wondering if anything can be done to help improve it? Our EA is saying it's just a matter of time, but I feel like i'd like to be more productive.

I know the rooms are small and the kitchen is only half way round the room, multiple floors.. etc, not ideal. Not much that can be done about that :(

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-83112542.html

OP posts:
Countrylifeornot · 09/09/2019 14:14

It's a nice house, but will have very limited appeal, these threads are nearly always about townhouses as they have a much narrower audience than 2 floor houses.
If you're desperate drop the price, if not stay put is my only advice.

Aquamarine1029 · 09/09/2019 14:16

I think your home looks lovely, op. The main thing I noticed is that there are no pictures of the bathrooms or utility room. I think it's just matter of a suitable buyer coming along.

NotYourHolidayDick · 09/09/2019 14:20

You're literally 5 mins from me. I've seen your house loads from the outside.

Parking is a huge issue, those roads are awful to pass, let alone park. Lovely area but your market is limited. I'm currently looking to buy a 4 bed with a similar budget, but wouldn't consider yours for my family due to lack of garden. Not much you can do sadly, internally it's lovely.

Original poster
SellingOurHome · 09/09/2019 14:24

Thank you, the house opposite sold really quickly (3 days)... I just don't know what we are doing wrong?

Yes, parking is an issue. It's permit parking only but I can always get a space outside and we have a rather large car.

Do you think it's a case of just waiting?

OP posts:
steppemum · 09/09/2019 14:25

I agree with NotYourHoliday, beautiful, but with constraints. Garden, parking etc.

Original poster
SellingOurHome · 09/09/2019 14:26

The bathrooms are new - the EA said no one likes to see bathrooms on the photos when we asked. The utility room isn't very exciting!

OP posts:
Original poster
SellingOurHome · 09/09/2019 14:27

Small garden, perfect for summer hosting and BBQ-ing but agree not big for children. Any suggestions on what we could do?

Not sure whether we should take off the market and try again next year? I am really, really keen to sell though. I am now 8 months pregnant!

OP posts:
tomboytown · 09/09/2019 14:28

Unfortunately selling houses takes time.

Why are you so desperate about this? What is the time constraint?

tomboytown · 09/09/2019 14:28

Ah! That's the time constraint!!

tomboytown · 09/09/2019 14:29

Just keep it on the market, try not to stress about it, it will sell when the right buyer comes along.
It's really not going to happen within 6 weeks

SulaHula · 09/09/2019 14:31

I'd keep it on the market until November and if nothing happens I'd take it off and put it back on in the Spring market. I would take photos of the bathrooms otherwise buyers will assume it's a wreck. Brexit has made lots of people hold fire on house purchases.

OneAboveAndOneBelow · 09/09/2019 14:33

I don't see the problem with townhouses, I lived in one fairly similar except the layout was better as it was only 3-bed and high ceilings. Also had a garden! I would say the first inside picture (pic 2) makes the ceiling look very low, same with pic 7.
Apart from that I think it's a bad time with Brexit etc unfortunately!

Gruzinkerbell1 · 09/09/2019 14:34

I’d definitely want photos of the bathrooms. And maybe retake the sitting room photos - the ceiling looks really low and quite claustrophobic. I think it’s the angle of the photo? And a pic of the garden too, maybe with a BBQ tucked in the corner and some seating so that people can imagine next summer hosting BBQs...

It’s a beautiful house. I’m really surprised it hasn’t sold.

EntirelyAnonymised · 09/09/2019 14:34

It is nicely presented and the price is obviously about right, given that you have had 5 offers. It’s just been bad luck further down the chain that’s let things down. Not much you can do about that.

helpmum2003 · 09/09/2019 14:35

It's a lovely house.

Personally I would want bathrooms in brochure. Otherwise buyers think they may be an issue.

sugarbum · 09/09/2019 14:36

Its lovely. I would want to see photos of bathroom/s though too. Its really important. I'd be wary of an EA that said otherwise.

UpToonGirl · 09/09/2019 14:37

Not sure why the EA would say people don't want to see bathrooms?! If they are the same standard as the rest of your house (which is lovely) definitely show them or people will assume they are dated/needing work.

Aquamarine1029 · 09/09/2019 14:39

the EA said no one likes to see bathrooms on the photos when we asked.

I have never heard something so ridiculous in my life. Of COURSE potential buyers want to see the bathrooms!

BlockedAndDeleted · 09/09/2019 14:45

Gorgeous house!

I thought bathrooms and kitchens sold houses?

cowfacemonkey · 09/09/2019 14:46

I disagree with your estate agent about the bathroom pictures but don't think it would stop people looking.

It's a really lovely house the only thing I find off putting in the lounge ceiling and the lighting in there. I would completely clear your kitchen surfaces as well as it makes it look like there is very little counter space.

Other than that I don't think there is much you can do but wait or lower the price even more

PenguinsRabbits · 09/09/2019 14:48

I would want to see a bathroom even if its bad.

Think its a lovely house. If its family buyers maybe the garden/parking is putting them off but that's a compromise with location. Point out nearby parks.

RoomR0613 · 09/09/2019 14:49

Your estate agent is wrong about bathrooms.

Nearly every room in a house apart from the kitchen and bathroom can be redecorated relatively easily if it's not to your taste.

The state of the bathroom at kitchen is extremely important to me when looking at houses as it's a major cost/ upheaval if it's ugly or needs upgrading that needs to be factored in.

I would be suspicious at the lack of pictures of bathrooms and would be mentally adding the potential cost of replacement onto the asking price before I had even viewed it.

Oranginna · 09/09/2019 14:49

It's a beautiful house. You've had good offers and still have potential buyers but they can't proceed. So the problem is the market not your house. It's the same where I live. Lots of houses just hanging on the market. Unless your EA can find a buyer with nothing to sell, you may just have to be philosophical about it and wait until "after Brexit" if we ever get to that mythical place.
Or you could slash the price to 500,000 if you really want to move.
Agree about adding the bathrooms though.

HardAsSnails · 09/09/2019 14:52

I think I would have a bigger table and chairs in the kitchen (though not the one you have in the dining room as it doesn't 'fit' style wise) and then stage the dining room into a lounge. The basement room then becomes a bonus room which will give the illusion of the property being much bigger.

Retroraver93 · 09/09/2019 14:57

That's a lovely home OP inside and out. I especially love the easier to maintain, smaller courtyard style of the garden in the picture.
I agree with the other pp that bathroom pictures are really important and it's a huge bonus if they have been newly done as that's an additional outlay buyers can do without.
I think it's just a case of patience and the right person will come along.
Good luck with the sale and the rest of your pregnancy Flowers