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Original poster

Why won't anyone buy our house?!

202 replies

BuyMyHouse · 30/10/2019 14:47

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!

OP posts:
Spickle · 31/10/2019 09:55

There are a lot of new estates being built in Chelmsford. When the St. John's Hospital Development was in the early phase, most of the houses were leasehold and the service charges and ground rent were high. I know yours says it's freehold, but is there a management company, as I don't believe the Council are adopting the roads? That may put some people off, though of course it doesn't explain why the other properties you linked to have sold. The estate is quite large and the houses do look a bit samey, though of course all new build estates do. Friends of ours are looking for two bed houses but need plenty of parking for their numerous cars and the majority of new estates cannot meet their parking requirements. I believe there were stipulations not to park on verges/pavements etc as it spoils "the look" of the estate, but obviously can be limiting when having visitors.

A search on rightmove for 2+ bedroom houses in Chelmsford between £325 and £375 has brought up 234 properties (including SSTC), so you are up against a lot of competition.

For example, there are older properties with three bedrooms that have more space, bigger rooms, more parking, bigger garden. Then there are similar new builds which don't need much work but ultimately are smaller than the older properties. You are having to appeal to those purchasers who don't want any refurbishment to do and would rather have a smaller house with nothing to do, than a bigger house with work.

Examples of your competition:

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-65276601.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-66054702.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-61870158.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-81165425.html

[https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-64845372.html]]

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-71995999.html

Oliversmumsarmy · 31/10/2019 10:12

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

I think it is highly relevant

The reasons I would say it isn’t selling is if I were to buy it

The paint colours. Blue in one bedroom and green in the other (as well as the dark blue bathroom) grey living room etc.
I would need to completely redecorate.
They are also making the house look unnecessarily darker.

The flooring downstairs is ok (if the walls were brilliant white) apart from it doesn’t really tone with the kitchen cabinets and it makes the house look darker.

The master bedroom apart from the blue paint needing to be changed you need to stage with a nice bed and bedding to either go with the base of the bed or to cover it. Also how does the person nearest the window get into bed as the cabinet looks like it narrows access and makes the room look small like you haven’t got room for your bed and storage.

I don’t think you are badly priced but it looks like a dark house made darker by the decor.

And the garden looks like it is in shade.

I know you said the other properties had AstroTurf but where do you keep your lawn mower to mow your grass?

nakedavengeragain · 31/10/2019 10:22

I flicked through the photos. Very quickly on purpose to get a first impression:

Outside front: lovely
Rooms: bare and unhomely, weird wall colours, that duvet made me flinch
Garden. On a sunny day is totally in the shade.

I'd move on just on those points.

Mildura · 31/10/2019 10:24

I think it is highly relevant

Perhaps it's just me then, but I've never bought a house that I wasn't intending to re-decorate.

Given house buying is all about compromise, not being willing to consider a house where the paint choices didn't match your preferences sets a fairly high bar.

Original poster
BuyMyHouse · 31/10/2019 10:25

@nakedavengeragain
Interesting. You're not buying the duvet cover...that really is going to impact you buying a house?

The garden picture clearly needs updating...as in actuality it's fully in the sun from midday till sunset!

OP posts:
EnriqueTheRingBearingLizard · 31/10/2019 10:30

You’ve had a good number of people through the door and a few who say it’d be their second choice, so we’re down to it not being price, size or location necessarily, the competition is selling, so what do those properties have that’s different from your house?

It’s much better now with the front exterior as the first picture and with a clear asking price, but fwiw the things that would put me off are not seeing a defined dining area and the garden. Both of these are things you can change, well not the size, shape and aspect of the garden, but how attractive it looks. Other houses where you are have similar shape and size, so it can’t be a dealbreaker.

I think it must be that when people are viewing they just can’t see themselves living there. It’s perfectly nice, but nothing grabs them. A PP could be right on the echoey sound. Perhaps the traditional uncluttered and generic style is also leaving people a bit unenthusiastic? A small coffee table and a throw might create more atmosphere.

Mildura · 31/10/2019 10:32

that duvet made me flinch

I really do wonder about people sometimes.

The new photo order is significantly better, why the 1st image wasn't always the front of the house is a mystery.

Oliversmumsarmy · 31/10/2019 10:33

Mildura

When you are buying these type of houses buyers are not expecting to get the paint pots out to redecorate.

They are wanting to put their furniture in place and start living in their home

nakedavengeragain · 31/10/2019 10:35

No I'm not buying the duvet, that's not the point. My point is on a quick flick that's what I thought so what your potential buyers might think.

It's not the individual elements but the whole view and the feeling of the place. The duvet and the wall colour doesn't add to an overall positive. If they were changed at least I'd feel 'neutral' about it.
I'd get better pictures. The front pic is lovely but the rest are crap

MyKingdomForBrie · 31/10/2019 10:36

It's a gorgeous house, well presented. The only thing I'd wonder about was which way the garden faced but that's just me. There is nothing I can see from these pictures which would mean you wouldn't sell. I would just hang on.

EnriqueTheRingBearingLizard · 31/10/2019 10:41

I totally disagree. Repainting that whole house is no big deal, if the buyer wanted to. The duvet cover? Seriously?
You’re never going to account for everyone’s personal taste and some of the other houses linked to have been very Marmite.
If the rooms were lime green, purple and orange or red I’d argue to change, but not as they are.

The garden shadow is a biggie though.

Buyers need to know the garden gets better sun than shown and also that the second bedroom will accommodate a bed, although once viewers are there that should be apparent.

legoninjago1 · 31/10/2019 10:44

I also disagree with some PPs. You don't need 'more colour' it's distracting and narrows the appeal. Neutral is far better. Definitely oieo is a right turn off unless that number really is your floor.

legoninjago1 · 31/10/2019 10:47

I'd also repaint the bedrooms neutral. It's a bit of a pain in the a but it might make all the difference. Some people think they can see past stuff like that but they really can't. And it does make rooms feel smaller. We've just sold our house and had some really odd comments along the way so I feel you Wink

Caspianberg · 31/10/2019 10:56

The first things for me:

  1. can't see any dining space. You need to add either in the kitchen or living room somewhere. A 2 bed is a small family house market, a family will want space to sit and eat, homework etc

  2. Baby bedroom looks like no furniture fits properly. Move the canvas camping wardrobe thing. Make cot more central.

  3. Garden stark. Move table and chairs more central on patio for pictures. Add some planters filled (can take with you if you like). Photograph toward house angle maybe better.

  4. you need pictures and description of private parking area.

Redred2429 · 31/10/2019 10:58

Is it a flat roof op ?

wowfudge · 31/10/2019 11:26

I agree with Enrique - if you are the second choice of viewers then what is it that means you're not the first choice? It's this you need to know and if there's a common thread, is it something you can address?

Oliversmumsarmy · 31/10/2019 11:46

I think the reason the house is 2nd choice is because of decor.

The other houses are much more “blinged” and just looking at pictures I would prefer the other 2 because I could move straight in.

I would go for this house only if another wasn’t available because I would have to redecorate.

MirkwoodMiss · 31/10/2019 11:48

Nothing wrong with the property. When house hunting - I prefer 'bland' to bold and cluttered. Pop some potted plants inside and out if you want, but the OIEO would be the only thing I'd have an issue with. Good luck!Smile

wowfudge · 31/10/2019 12:50

Your surmising based on your own tastes though Oliversmum. It would help the OP to know from those who have viewed. It's possible the EA has fed back which house in the area has been someone's first choice then you can look at the listing and figure it out if they haven't said why.

wowfudge · 31/10/2019 13:50

You're - bloody autocorrect!

GrumpyHoonMain · 31/10/2019 13:57

The type of people who move into new builds and smaller houses in Chelmsford tend to be the ones who probably can’t afford to redecorate immediately. I would suggest taking it off rhe market for now, replacing the nursery with a double bed to show the potential of that spare room, repaint everything white, fix anything that needs fixing, do something about that garden that makes it look more like a useable sociable space, and then remarket it - bet it will sell for much highee

Mildura · 31/10/2019 14:05

The type of people who move into new builds and smaller houses in Chelmsford tend to be the ones who probably can’t afford to redecorate immediately

The house is up for £340k - how much does a few tins of paint and a couple of rollers from B & Q cost?

LemonPrism · 31/10/2019 14:28

It's lovely so I can only think it's area, price or market is slow

JoJoSM2 · 31/10/2019 14:28

The house is up for £340k - how much does a few tins of paint and a couple of rollers from B & Q cost?

Grin I was thinking the same. With a 20% deposit, the buyers will probably be a young couple with the income of 80-90k+ Hardly the height of poverty Grin

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