Please can someone tell me why my flat isn't selling?!

[Puffykins]

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-84873916.html

Price-wise, it's appropriate - even cheap - for the area. I know that it hasn't got it's own garden, but there is a huge communal garden which, in central-ish London, I'd argue is better than a tiny garden.

Admittedly I don't like the estate agents pictures much. It's really light in real life, but they always seem obsessed with turning on all the lights.

Anyway, any tips would be hugely appreciated. Thank you!

@NaughtipussMaximus there is nothing in that post that says OP moved with the cat. I would assume from the references of indoor cat to countryside in this case, given OP had a pony growing up, that the cat was moved from being an indoor cat in this London flat, to a family members countryside home. Possibly when OPs son got ill. Just conjecturing obv, as are you...

It's full of clutter, there's no need to have books lying around in this day and age, they can be sent to the charity shops.

And then you can contribute to the economy all over again by buying them back when you want to re-read them! Great plan!

I love your flat, OP, apart from the bathroom and the outside. But then, I have clutter (😱) and books (😱😱) and so clearly cannot be trusted on aesthetic matters.

And yes, the posters scoffing at the price for what you get - need to do a bit of research on the London property market first, to avoid making themselves look silly and in some cases downright mean.

I’m surprised there’s so much worry about the clutter. The floor plans are quite clear, and if it bothered someone that much, they can always knock a bit off the price for redecorating. Yes it’s cluttered, but it’s clearly more “arty London couple” than “crazy cat lady”. I do think you need more pictures of the communal gardens though.

I wouldn’t be keen on being so close to the railway line, or having a balcony door in the bedroom if I had small children. 93 year lease is a bit on the short side- in about 10 years time a buyer would need to look at extending the lease.

I think the ad should state the lease length and maintenance cost. I often assume ads that don’t state this are trying to hide the fact they have a really short lease or high maintenance, and don’t bother enquiring.

Could be. I rarely advanced search unless someone points out inconsistencies, this just seemed a bit off. Oh well, it doesn’t really matter.

I don't know much about the London property market but that looks like a good price to me. I like your flat, so much more stylish than most. The photos look ok to me apart from the absolutely dreadful one of towels on the bathroom door and the outside shot! They have to go, they ruin an otherwise attractive sale.

I don’t think the clutter is the problem. I would get rid of the photo of the outside of the flat and the photo of the balcony as they make the flat look like it’s in a rough council block. The pictures of your flat show that you are well educated and cultured. Given the price only people with good jobs or a lot of money could a afford it so you want to encourage those people in.

Westminster council tax rates are a huge plus - lowest in the country? - but I assume people buying in that area will know that.

I think your home looks lovely, I want to come over for a brew and a good flick through your books lol.

We had to do a massive declutter exercise when we sold our flat, the first visit from the estate agent I think he was a bit shocked, my partner had recently moved in and there was stuff EVERYWHERE. I cleaned and tidied the whole house and put anything not needed in the loft, he was amazed when he came back to take the photos lol.

I think your flat is lovely. It has style and character and is clearly full of things you’ve collected and loved. And books.

But, I have come (painfully) to realise that the interiors ideal for lots of people (my husband) is having things Tidy. And Neat. By which they mean Empty.

Though, I agree about the photo of the balcony/fire escape.

It looks like it’s a rough council block of flats. There’s no tiles in the kitchen and it’s not been re-plastered where you’ve pulled them off, the living room looked very dated stuffy and cluttered, the bathroom is awful and that narrow balcony space doesn’t do anything to improve the ad.
You need to de clutter, have a good clean and sort the kitchen and bathroom.
It’s very well priced so would’ve thought you’d have had some interest. Any nearby properties recently sold?

@NaughtipussMaximus the cat now lives with my parents in the Yorkshire Dales - which, although not technically our home, is where we spend most of our holidays/ half terms etc. I thought you'd seen a cat box/ litter tray somewhere and was super confused!

I can tell you have style!!

I think its beautiful but...yes a lot of belongings but I don't think that would put people off looking? Was there a picture of the communal garden? Think I missed that.

I live in the SW and the price, wow so expensive....I know it's not for London but shocked.

you have some lovely things! love your patterned bedspread. it is hard to see what the rooms are like though

Omg I love it.

I would get rid of the photo of the outside of the flat and the photo of the balcony as they make the flat look like it’s in a rough council block.

No! People are not stupid, and making it difficult to see the outside of a property is just going to annoy them and waste their time.

I love your flat and I love books and have them everywhere. But ultimately, the person buying your flat will most likely be young and a first time buyer. I can’t recommend enough hiring movers, getting them to pack up basically everything except a large suitcase per person and put in storage, buying one white towel per person and a big white sheet for the bed. Then also plaster the wall in the kitchen and paint white some of the walls. It will look like a bland flat for a young professional, but that’s what you need.

Good luck!

Haven't read the full thread so sorry if I'm repeating what's been said but here it is-

I LOVE your style 😘

Re the clutter, for the purpose of Estate Agent photos you don't actually need to properly "get rid" of your belongings, it takes effort but basically move all the obvious clutter (potted plants, piles of books, surplus prints etc) into one room, photograph the other rooms looking bright and empty, then when it comes to the room full of your stuff, just move it all into another room to photo that room.

This doesn't help with viewings obviously, but for that you could consider a months storage like Big Yellow or whatever.

Good luck!

And for all those saying the clutter is off putting, it might be worth looking at the (very few) flats previously sold in this block. I think the OP has done an amazing job, and removing too much of her style and personality is likely to make ugly window, proportions etc more evident.

I used to live in W2. This is a Ex council flat decorated in a country “cluttered” style. To sell in this part of London you really need to de clutter and get rid of quirky murals etc.

Declutter and make it as neutral as possible. I did so much research on how to sell when selling my place. Painted the walls with fresh white/neutral paint, got rid of anything that was on surfaces (ornaments etc). Clothes put away in wardrobes, kids toys hidden. Obviously you still want it to feel like home but you will have a hard time selling if you don't want to make short term changes. I also staged the dining area and bedroom for the photos so it was still homely looking. If you aren't happy with the photos, ask for them to be redone (once any changes have been made). Its well worth all of the effort, after weeks of preparing to go on the market, I accepted an offer 2 days after it was advertised. The most important thing is for people to be ae to imagine living there, not everyone can look past a lot of stuff! Good luck!

The clutter!, I couldn’t even make out the shape of the rooms, my eyes were just blinded by colour and clutter. The balcony picture is pretty pointless, it doesn’t really add anything.

The pictures leaning against the children beds are really making me twitch, they aren't glass are they? Could be so dangerous if a child gets up in the night and (god forbid) breaks the glass!

The clutter!, I couldn’t even make out the shape of the rooms, my eyes were just blinded by colour and clutter.

This is the shape of the room without OP's stuff and personality. I think she's a genius for making it look so lovely!