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What's wrong with our house 13 days no viewings

868 replies

Namechangetoshowhouse · 06/08/2020 10:47

Help us out Please 🙏
We put our house on the market 13 days ago we have friends in the area who have put theirs on and been busy with viewings straight away but we've had nothing.

Three Estate agents said £375 so we started with that after no viewings at 9 days we dropped to £367
We know house is a bit bottom heavy a bit like me and doesn't look pretty but is well presented and has over 80 Sq m of downstairs living space. A huge Kitchen and lounge, 10 mins walk to most amenities as well.

We have seen a house that we love that won't come up again we've put in an offer for asking price but not sure we'll get it as they say they've had 6 offers already.

Anyway here it is do we drop the price some more or just wait a bit?
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-82594633.html

OP posts:
Thread gallery
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Helpimfalling · 10/08/2020 23:14

God op you've done amazing!

I thought the house was lovely before a blank canvas for somebody to work on.

But now I see more and more potential you've done really well

JulesCobb · 10/08/2020 23:23

I cannot believe how much better your Photos are. What a shame you cannot sack the aGent.

OpalShimmer · 11/08/2020 04:00

Just an idea with the estate agents (apologies if it’s already been suggested), you can go dual agency. The commission would be slightly more, but it’s an option to weigh up if needed.

QueenOfPain · 11/08/2020 04:26

All of your wallpaper, rugs, cushions etc just look a bit “Wilko”.

I think you could dress it better and get some more cohesive themes going in the individual rooms.

QueenOfPain · 11/08/2020 04:38

Ohhh, ignore my comment. Hasn’t rtft.

Ginandplatonic · 11/08/2020 06:16

Just read the first few pages and all your posts - can I just say how impressed I am with how politely you’ve taken all the comments, some of which were extremely rude.

Your photos, even without the extra bits and pieces make your house look SO much brighter, more modern and more inviting than the agent’s which made it look dated, drab and weirdly shaped. Well done! Hope you can get your agent issues sorted - you don’t have a house problem, you have an agent problem!

That said, a price drop to the next price category might kick start things for you as you now have the problem of the house being “stale” in the market. Good luck!

ivykaty44 · 11/08/2020 06:36

Downstairs bathroom would put me of

CeeceeBloomingdale · 11/08/2020 07:14

Wellbdone OP, you've listened and made huge improvements. As you are moving as essentially you need a 4 bedroom house and yours isn't big enough, I think that marketing it as a 4 was the mistake.

GabsAlot · 11/08/2020 10:34

nice one op i think youve found yo9ur calling house doctor!

yes the problem with ea is they tie yu in for months u cant go elsewhere withut a penalty and they do fuck all to help-hope they at least change the pics for you

CatkinToadflax · 11/08/2020 11:12

Amazing transformation OP! Star Hopefully when the description’s changed to 3 beds you’ll find a buyer who’s looking for the amount of space you’ve got upstairs and then can’t believe their luck with the spacious downstairs!

Lougle · 11/08/2020 14:38

You've done a fantastic job and you're really making it sellable. Don't give up. Smile

Yesyoudoknowme · 11/08/2020 14:55

Bedroom 1 is TINY - our main bedroom is 12' sq and is small once you have a king sized bed and storage. Photo 7 lose the desk and make that end a cosy reading nook, low bookcase, comfy chair, cushions and a lamp. The small bedroom - lose the bed and put a cot in there, it makes the room look bigger. Dress the dining room table with nice crockery and centre it under the window. I know this isn't how you would live but you need to get people in. Unfortunately as pp have said - the kerb appeal is awful, trellis either side of window with honeysuckle/ passion flower/wisteria ANYTHING to stop it looking like a lego house. No idea if it's good VFM but if that was all I could get for £375k I would look further afield...

CassandraCross · 11/08/2020 15:58

Wow, OP, kudos to you what an amazing transformation! Looks like a completely different property from the one the EA took pictures of - you've missed your calling! I hope you manage to sack the EA, their marketing of your property has been a disgrace.

All the best of luck, and once again well done for not only taking the criticism but acting on it positively and producing such a brilliant result.

Namechangetoshowhouse · 11/08/2020 17:21

Well we are at the end of Tuesday & I still haven't been able to cancel the contract. I tried to cancel on Friday and couldn't get through to Yopa, I spoke to someone yesterday and today both times I was told I'd be called back and nothing 🤷‍♀️

When we eventually get to cancel the new agent has advised going on at £350 which is fine with us we are pragmatic the house is worth what people will pay for it there's not point being precious about it. Although no point racing to the bottom either.
I'm sure there will now be people telling me how expensive this is compared to XYZ all I can say is welcome to the south! Bicester although it has gone up in prices a lot is actually affordable in Oxfordshire don't even look at what that will get you closer to Oxford.... probably a shed

OP posts:
Namechangetoshowhouse · 11/08/2020 17:28

And thank you for all the encouragement 😘

OP posts:
Nanny0gg · 11/08/2020 17:51

Well done OP. Looks great. I wish you the best of luck.

Namechangetoshowhouse · 11/08/2020 19:15

Just emailed this to Yopa complaints...let's see what happens apparently I should get a reply within 3 days 🤔

We have tried since Friday 7th August 2020 to speak to someone within your team about cancelling our contract. We could not get through to anyone on Friday, yesterday & today I was told someone would return my call but no one has.

We have become increasingly unhappy with the service we have received; our floor plan is upside down and there are also numerous other problems with it. Originally the floor plan only had one room's measurements on it, I had to repeatedly contact the agent to get this resolved it also had an image of a toilet placed in one of the living areas, the measurements can't be clearly read and overlap each other, finally it is slightly blurry (which is very noticeable on apps).I did try to call the agent about this but gave up when my call went unanswered.

The photographs taken of the property some of which we did not see, show items such as a cat litter tray that we would have removed if we had been aware they would show, they generally show a lack of care and are/were rushed.

We have had little to no feedback from our agent about anyone he has discussed the house with even though we have asked. Our calls/messages to the agent have repeatedly gone unanswered.

We asked on Thursday 6th August for the property to be put back down to a 3 bed but it still has not been done.

Whilst we wish to be clear that the agent is pleasant and professional in person, we believe he is overworked therefore the service has been unacceptable.

All of the above show to us a general lack of care thus not meeting clause 2.2 & 2.3 of using reasonable care and skill, therefore we would consider that the contract has been broken, however if you wish to dispute this then please take this letter as our notice to cancel the contract.

Please reply to this email to confirm next steps.

OP posts:
CassandraCross · 11/08/2020 20:10

Excellent e-mail to Yopa, OP, hope you get a satisfactory resolution.

Mixingitall · 11/08/2020 20:25

If you plant Virginia creeper it will grow and cover to above the window by Autumn and look beautiful. It’s a fast grower and is cheap to buy. It also connects to the brick and doesn’t need a trellis. My house has had it for 40plus years and the bricks are fine. It’s soo pretty and will soften the front.

gotanygrapesduck · 11/08/2020 20:30

@Mixingitall

If you plant Virginia creeper it will grow and cover to above the window by Autumn and look beautiful. It’s a fast grower and is cheap to buy. It also connects to the brick and doesn’t need a trellis. My house has had it for 40plus years and the bricks are fine. It’s soo pretty and will soften the front.
Virginia Creepers are lovely in the summer-autumn, we have one too but in the winter they look pretty dull. I keep meaning to see if I can put fairy lights on ours but can't decide if it is a) a fire hazard or b) tacky.
Hellbentwellwent · 11/08/2020 21:14

Excellent email!

Namechangetoshowhouse · 11/08/2020 22:02

Thanks @Hellbentwellwent
Earlier I text and messaged the Yopa agent as he was due to come take more pictures tomorrow but as he couldn't even do the basics thought it was pointless. My message was polite saying nothing against you but we are cancelling the contract, he's come back with this:

All I would say is I'm more than happy to come tomorrow, I have marketed the property but as you were aware you have created a house that is not in the norm.

Shall I go back with no shit Sherlock half of Mumsnet has told me my house is weird and they wouldn't live in it if I paid them
Or
The sensible option is I just ignore 🤔 I'm sure the first rule of dealing with a customer complaint isn't blaming the customer but obviously not....

OP posts:
DameLucy · 11/08/2020 22:14

Could I (gently) suggest you remove the children’s pictures etc from the fridge? They always put me off and years ago I was recommended to to do this by our EA as he said people like to buy the lifestyle and you should depersonalise. It always worked for us.

Namechangetoshowhouse · 11/08/2020 22:19

@DameLucy thanks it's definitely on the hit list and your suggestion is way softer than some I've had 😉

OP posts:
Stinkyjellycat · 11/08/2020 22:32

I like you, OP! You’re a good sport and I really hope you get a buyer soon. Star

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