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!

@nicerbeing we really can't change the windows, or I would have done so long ago! It's why I've got plants on all the windowsills.

My friend had a flat in a very very similar block (in fact even the layout was the same) in Brixton, gorgeous house, & having the stairs makes it feel like a house not a flat (which I like). There are plenty of buyers in London who know that their budget in their desired area will only get them ex-LA flats, & this is a nice one of those.

[quote Puffykins]@nicerbeing we really can't change the windows, or I would have done so long ago! It's why I've got plants on all the windowsills.[/quote]

Oh no, I wasn't saying you should. I was just a bit confused by the posted that said you can't!

I think the flat looks amazing - very ‘you’ I suspect. And therein lies the problem - for it to sell it needs to be more of a blank canvas so a buyer can see it as ‘them’. You really, really need to pair back the clutter and general ‘stuff’ - and I agree the bathroom probably needs to be changed (although I think it’s awesome), sorry.

OP, I hope I’m not overstepping the mark here. The problem is in your mind. Your flat isn’t selling because I don’t think you want to sell it. You say you’ve had some intense family times there (chemo & Christmas) and it is your HOME. Your safe place. I get it. If you have to sell now you need to focus on the future. Tell me, where are you wanting to move to? The country? Bigger place? Better quality of life for the children? Look forwards. Adjust your mindset and then dealing with the “stuff” will follow.
Hope this is taken in the way it was meant... with positive vibes and support.

I really love your flat OP.

Why not? The likelyhood that the buyer will keep it like that is very low, and painting it now means potential buyers don't see it as another job that would need doing.

I'd keep the bathroom - or some of it - as it is for sure. It's beautiful and unique. There's a peacock! I'd just retake those pics with the towels & toiletries out of the room. I cannot see the logic in turning a Notting Hill flat into a sterile box.

That was a quote fail on the first paragraph btw

I love your style OP. Looking for the Jeffrey Deller print sent me down a rabbit hole art wise and I have now bought a lovely print for my Brothers Christmas present, so thank you for that

I like it, OP. I don’t have a problem with the bathroom either. It’s a nice flat.

But there are hot spots of ‘clutter’ that divert the eye from all the good points, eg that left wall in the lounge, and the right side of the kitchen. I also feel there are too many pictures on some of the walls, which, again draws the eye and feels like the walls are crowding in on you.

I think if you put lots of the books and paintings in storage, it would look better.

I'd keep the bathroom - or some of it - as it is for sure. It's beautiful and unique. There's a peacock!

You like the bathroom, but most people don't want a peacock mural in their bathroom. It's clear a lot of work has gone into it, but the vast majority of buyers will see it as another job.

I love it. But that doesn't help you sell it obviously, since I'm not buying it.

It's too cluttered and that makes it look smaller than it is, and the kitchen walls are off-putting, as is the bathroom mural, so I think it would be a good idea to tackle those. But it looks like a lovely home. If you removed a lot of the 'stuff' I don't think you'd need massive redecorating to make it look a bit more neutral.

Here's a flat in (I think) the same block for comparison. Less clutter but much less homely! www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/detailMatching.html?prop=70554431&sale=83892879&country=england

[quote mocktail]Here's a flat in (I think) the same block for comparison. Less clutter but much less homely! www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/detailMatching.html?prop=70554431&sale=83892879&country=england[/quote]
That's interesting. Because that looks really depressing to me. It's ironic because I know it's a blank canvas and that's meant to be easier to visualise but I just look at it and can't imagine how I could make it look warm and welcoming.

@vickyBHF Hastings. We've already got a house in the country (well, technically it is my parents' and they live in it) but we can be there as much as we like and it's lovely and we spend a lot of time there. I wouldn't want to live there full time because it's super remote, and so the rest of the time - term time - I want the convenience of a walkable school run, shops etc and a train back to London for work/ theatre/ exhibitions (the latter two being very related to both mine and DH's jobs.) Hastings is by the sea, and we could get a lovely much bigger house and the children could each have their own bedroom and we could get a dog. And there's Hastings Contemporary and the De La Warr pavilion, two theatres and two cinemas etc. The hitch is that the secondary schools where we live now are all amazing AMAZING, and they're distinctly less so in Hastings/ St. Leonard's.

@nicerbeing

Eh?! You can't just randomly change your windows to something completely different to what the rest of the block has. Thank God.

Is this a local rule? I'm in Scotland and loads of blocks of flats have different windows here.

OP cannot change the windows as she doesn’t own the freehold. The exterior of the building, including windows, roof, etc is down to the freeholder, in this case the council. If the freeholder decides to change them, all windows in the block would be changed, and the leaseholder billed for them.

There’s a hell of a lot of stuff in your house. The bedroom shot a pile of books with no home. The kitchen could do with decluttering and having less must statement items. The bathroom needs fresh pattered towels hung neatly, the bathroom needs to be neutral. Nice use of colour and pictures on walls and layout. It’s just all heaving which will make it seem cramped. The exterior space needs tlc. It looks rubbish with random items strewn. Get flowering plants the the planters.

It’s wonderful, amazing and you know what you have to do. It’s a treasure trove of the most interesting things and they”ll be great in your new and bigger home.

I think most of us enjoy pictures, books photos etc, but kept on shelves rather than stacked up on the floor, which is sending the message that there is a lack of storage space. My house is tidy and clutter free, but I have 6 bookshelves full of books and DVDs/CDs and it is certainly not sterile
I agree with you and disagree with posters saying the whole place needs to be redecorated neutral.

Whilst some people will want to move into a Hinch style ready to go home, theres many people who like colour but would want it to be their chosen colours.

There's probably some merit in sorting the bathroom out as whilst many people won't mind decorating, needing to put in a new bathroom or kitchen is a big job that might put buyers off.

If the OP cleared some of the clutter or ensures everything has it's place then I think more buyers would be able to see themselves living there. At the moment if I were a prospective buyer I'd be instantly worrying theres not enough space for my things.

I totally get it - v. Similar situation here. But are you buying something bigger in W2 or what? That’s the bit I’d focus on.... if you can focus more on that bit of the equation then you won’t mind so much about storing everything temporarily, even if over 2nd lockdown / Christmas etc... does that make sense?

@mocktail yes - that's our estate. I think it's on a lower floor though. It looks very dark.... (and somewhat depressing.)

Well I think it looks cosy, homely. But apparently clutter is a no no but then if you have nothing out, then MN says it doesn't look inviting.... I don't get it

Reading the initial comments before clicking on the link I was expecting a hoarders hovel to be honest!

I love the German concept of washing machine in bathroom!! Pic 9 remove. The bathroom has child appeal and I think it's lovely but paint it white or magnolia.

OP cannot change the windows as she doesn’t own the freehold. The exterior of the building, including windows, roof, etc is down to the freeholder, in this case the council. If the freeholder decides to change them, all windows in the block would be changed, and the leaseholder billed for them

Thanks, o had no idea about this stuff!

Because it is an over-priced leasehold property with no outdoor space and because of the clutter. It also looks like it is 'ex-council and is near a busy main road. Reality check needed.

It sounds like you need to put your DH into storage! Does he want to move because he's filled this flat to the brim?

One thing that I have noticed is that there are room sizes in the description.