Why won't anyone buy our house?!

[BuyMyHouse]

So frustrated trying to sell our house! We have a nice little 2 bed, part of a new development (we bought off plan 3 years ago). Had a good number of viewings, but there have been a few other 2 bed houses/flats for sale in our development, so naturally everyone looking at ours is looking at those too.

So far all the other houses have had offers and we're just waiting away! Ours is arguably nicer than the others too - back of the development, so nice and quiet. And we're end of terrace, rather than in the middle like the others.

I didn't realise how easy it was when we were first time buyers!

There's a reason new builds don't show the garden in the photos. It needs to come out of the photos or be shot strategically, ahem.

@Candle1000 that’s awful. Looks like Mrs Hinch’s old house.

I like colour in a house. If I posted my house when we're finished decorating on here I would be swamped with negative comments. And I don't think it's people not seeing past the blue, it's more that to lots of people it's a cold colour. No matter what your taste and keenness to whip out a paintbrush most people want to buy a house that feels warm and inviting even if they don't know why. Good luck.

Large bowl of lemons in kitchen
Tall pot plant, plus a few more, in lounge as area in front of tv is like a corridor. Looks bare.
Photo garden from other end when it is in daylight if it is at this time of year.
Everything looks too bare to me.

It doesn’t look very cosy in the photos. Dress it more.

I really don’t like the shape of the garden.

PS if you can don't just buy some planters for the garden but try and add some structure. These places sideways for example www.amazon.co.uk/s?hvlocphy=1006794&hvnetw=g&hvadid=259062829839&k=planter+with+trellis&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjOrtBRCcARIsAEq4rW5AKF7pcXqxhegNv8QAxVp2S31_2bwxtcO9Rrju44aIfLRYUP4dXzAaArp9EALw_wcB&ref=pd_sl_8m9y459f2i_e&hydadcr=15919_1809203&hvpos=1t1&hvdev=m&hvqmt=e&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&hvtargid=aud-613701470109%3Akwd-300722785171&adgrpid=51564578285&hvrand=14383724406751021189

I agree with some of the pps: you need a dining table or people think there isn't room for one. I don't like them but a glass table gives an illusion of space as you can see through it. Move the zip up wardrobe between the windows in the second bedroom, even if only for a new photo and make the garden more inviting. You mention a garden gate but the barbecue (?) is blocking it in the photo. It would also be worth showing the parking area, even if it's just on a plan. Get the garden photo re-done with the washing line down and make sure that's down when you have viewings.

The other two houses were decorated better. You should either go all out in your decorating like the first link you posted or neutral like the second. Otherwise when buyers are looking at houses that are all the same price they’re going to go for the one that either feels best or looks like out will require the least work to adjust to their taste.

The front of the house looks great. The back garden need to look more like that.

I don't think the blue is a problem at all. It's not a crazy bright colour and painting just one room wouldn't put people off buying a house.

But I do think the garden is problematic. Pots or benches or trellis or something to break up the corridor feel and bring in some colour.

Agree with the oieo, which you have now removed. Otherwise, I think it's lovely

Loose the blue especially in the bathroom. You need a dining table to prove you can fit one in and the garden needs more. Maybe fake ivy on the walls.

Is your bathroom windowless? Lots of people really hate internal bathrooms.

I haven’t given the best example but trying to show that there are houses with more living space etc for less .

Yours is a nice home ,but perhaps a little bit "bland" .Maybe some throws ,cushions and flowers on show.Also off topic here ,but posters saying how much cheaper properties are in the North .Not relevant as Chelmsford is within easy reach of London ,and prices in the SE are generally higher to reflect that!

It’s overpriced, there are too many new build estates in Chelmsford so you have competition from brand new developments.
Once the newness is gone they lose value unless prices booming.
New build estates are often less attractive to buyers as out of town, small gardens, crowded.
Get rid of oieo
External photo of house needs to be first
Neutralise that bedroom
Plant up the corridor garden, you can get some planted trelliss that you can even take with you provided explicit in the sale.

There needs to be a table and chairs to eat at. If you don't show this some people will assume they will need to eat on their laps. It makes it seem like there is no space for this.

Also you are selling an aspirational lifestyle and eating on your lap doesn't fit with that.

It’s fine it’s probably overpriced and the ongoing Brexit saga

I'd have been very tempted by the oriel window one of the rival house has, even though their garden is smaller and their decor is tragic.

Interesting comments! I've instructed the agents to make a few changes to the listing based on these.

Some I think are irrelevant as once you're at the house you can see the parking area is convenient and quiet, etc (and it's not an issue of getting people in the door). But I am going to see what I can do about the garden for the viewings this weekend.

Interesting the comments about decorating more. I was always told to keep it really neutral and "bland" so that people can picture their own stuff in the house.

For the comments about the price. We're losing money on the house now no matter what, so not trying to get any value out of the sale. And all the other 2 beds on the development sold this year for £340-345, so definitely not that.

Who does the viewings? If it's Estate Agent then you may want it stay in this time & check they are getting all the facts eg about parking spaces correct.

If you are perhaps let the Estate Agent.

If you are getting lots of viewings

Have you had feedback from previous viewings? It's not always that helpful but every now and then is.

@NWQM It's been a mix, but mainly us. We are letting the agent do this weekend (though going to "brief him" on what to cover).

The feedback each time has just been "it's lovely, just not for us/ would be our second choice"

For the comments about the price. We're losing money on the house now no matter what, so not trying to get any value out of the sale. And all the other 2 beds on the development sold this year for £340-345, so definitely not that

Ultimately if something isn't selling it's always down to price. Somewhere between £0 and £340,000 there is a buyer.

Whether the bedroom is painted blue, cream, grey or orange with purple spots is largely irrelevant.

Mildura totally agree

@Candle1000 @Mildura
Well sure, if we price it silly low I'm sure someone would offer. (Though if it were me, I'd question why it's priced so much lower than the others and assume there was something wrong with it). But as I said, other comparable houses have sold for the same or more over the past couple months.