Is it pointless putting house on the market in 2020?

Fantasisa · 2020-11-02T15:38:22+00:00

DH and I are splitting up and we need to sell the house. Living together is ok but I don't want to drag it out any longer than I have to. DH now thinks we shouldn't put it on the market before Christmas but then we will have definitely missed the stamp duty window. Anyone else trying to decide what to do? He also wants to put it on for an ambitious price but I'd rather put it on for something more realistic.

IheartNiles · 02/11/2020 15:41

Depends what your area is doing, houses are flying here at huge markups compared with last year. Get some valuations from estate agents who sell a lot in your area.

Original poster

Fantasisa · 02/11/2020 15:43

We have had the valuations and the market is 'steady' apparently. I would say it is slower round here than usual judging by RightMove and we are in a Tier 1 area (for now)

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Seenobody · 02/11/2020 15:44

I just rang my local agent to find out a good time to put my house on the market and she said Boxing Day! By the time I have sorted everything in the house, had it valued by a couple of agents and got the photos etc done, that is a bit soon for me but would that be possible for you?

76ocean · 02/11/2020 15:46

Normally I'd say no way before Xmas but I know the market is still doing well where I am, I assume due to the stamp duty break. Plus viewing etc are still going ahead despite lockdown. No harm in trying, if no interest pull it down and re-market next year.

IheartNiles · 02/11/2020 15:46

If your property is sought after then I would go on now. If you get no interest you can always remove it and try again in the new year. Guess some of that will depend on how long you can stand living together.

JoJoSM2 · 02/11/2020 16:18

Maybe your husband just doesn’t want to sell? Sounds like he’s dragging his feet about timings + has unrealistic expectations... He’ll probably be hard work.

user1471538283 · 02/11/2020 17:06

Yes do put it on the market. If it's the right price it will sell. An ambitious price will not

FakeFlamingo · 02/11/2020 18:28

Now at a sensible price.

Burnthurst187 · 02/11/2020 18:35

SD could be extended, it depends on if we have a further lockdown or if the coming one is extended I guess

We accepted full asking price on Saturday but noticing less houses coming on over the last two weeks

At the right price and in the right area it will sell very fast as ppl want to try and beat SD

Original poster

Fantasisa · 02/11/2020 19:34

@JoJoSM2 - this is what I'm wondering. I would put it on at £25k less than he wants as that is what I feel is realistic. I do understand that we should be trying to get as much as we can for it, but he would live like this forever if it was up to him. I am increasingly thinking that there will never be a good time.

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Seenobody · 02/11/2020 20:43

Does he want to put it on higher than the valuations?

Original poster

Fantasisa · 02/11/2020 21:54

No, just the highest of the valuations which was the top end of a range given by the EA. Lowest valuation was £320k, he wants to go on at £375k. I think a more realistic valuation is £350k which is what I'd put it on for and I'd accept £320k. I guess I'm more keen to sell...

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Fennelandlovage · 02/11/2020 22:44

Don’t value too high because you won’t get it and will have to reduce and look desperate. Would all most say put on very reasonable and peak interest and possibly get offers over. Good luck whatever you decide. Put it on now though and see what you get. Don’t have accept if not right for you.

Original poster

Fantasisa · 03/11/2020 00:51

That's what I want to do, I just now need to convince 'D'H.

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Loofah01 · 03/11/2020 09:14

Get it on as soon as you can. You might find with lockdown that the process is slower in any event but definitely start. If you've had 3 valuations then pick the middle one, if two then the mid-point. That's fair to both of you and frankly the situation you're in is stressful enough!

Original poster

Fantasisa · 03/11/2020 09:31

I also wondered if people would be browsing RightMove more as they are at home. We are in commuting distance to London so one EA said people are already moving out to areas they can get more space for their money.

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jackstini · 03/11/2020 10:12

Get it on - we just sold one yesterday for above asking price - been on 2 weeks

Jroseforever · 03/11/2020 10:14

@Seenobody

I just rang my local agent to find out a good time to put my house on the market and she said Boxing Day! By the time I have sorted everything in the house, had it valued by a couple of agents and got the photos etc done, that is a bit soon for me but would that be possible for you?

Why too soon? Almost two months away

Annasgirl · 03/11/2020 10:17

OP, I really do not think your problem is your house, I think it is your soon to be exDH. Many, many, men become difficult when selling the family home or getting it valued so it can be split with their ex if they have enough cash to do this. So I think you need to get your solicitor or your mediator to help you agree to put it on and get on with your lives.

Good luck OP, you have the right attitude and I am sure it will sell if you price it right.

PersonaNonGarter · 03/11/2020 10:20

I would just get on and do it and get the most realistic price.

Jroseforever · 03/11/2020 10:25

@Annasgirl

OP, I really do not think your problem is your house, I think it is your soon to be exDH. Many, many, men become difficult when selling the family home or getting it valued so it can be split with their ex if they have enough cash to do this. So I think you need to get your solicitor or your mediator to help you agree to put it on and get on with your lives.

Good luck OP, you have the right attitude and I am sure it will sell if you price it right.

How is the ex being unreasonable

Surely just difference of opinion. He wants before Christmas and an ambitious price.

He might be wrong but no whiff of aggression in his view

Original poster

Fantasisa · 03/11/2020 10:30

@Annasgirl You have hit the nail on the head. I suspect he is stalling as he is hoping I will cave and accept his list of demands to get the marriage back on track. I will not be caving and want to get to the other side of this pandemic or no pandemic. I hate living in this in between life but as I go out to work all day and have been spending as much time out of the house with the DC with the kids at the weekend as possible, he gets to enjoy our nice house by himself a lot.

I want to close the door on a house that is just mine and he isn't in it! Sorry, this is turning into a relationship board post instead of a property one!

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Original poster

Fantasisa · 03/11/2020 10:32

@Jroseforever It is a difference of opinion but perhaps because I am more motivated to sell than he is although he says he has accepted that we need to. I do wonder whether we will be able to agree to accept an offer at some point too - this next bit may be the trickiest yet.

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SollaSollew · 03/11/2020 12:21

Eurgh this sounds really hard for you. As a previously divorced person my best advice is to play the long game and try to see the bigger picture in all negotiations. There will be many things to reach an agreement on so you need to conserve your energy to use where and when you really need it.

Pragmatically it's not going to sell if you don't get it on the market so is it worth side stepping the argument, put it on at the higher price on the understanding that you'll reduce after 2 weeks to £350 if it hasn't sold?

Sorry this sounds really depressing advice and I hope that your divorce is way less stressful than mine. On a more positive note my now ex husband is starting work on the electrics of mine and my new dh's kitchen/diner renovation tomorrow so it is possible to come through the other side!

UnicornAndSparkles · 03/11/2020 12:29

I'd go for it and put it on the market now.
Three friends have recently sold their houses; there is still activity in the market despite the time of year/impending lockdown. Virtual tours are still being conducted.
Good luck