Why isn’t my house selling?

[slithytoveisascientist]

Please can you help?

We have been on since I think October, had only 2 viewings and one offer of £317k which was withdrawn as it was the top end of their budget - we wouldn’t have accepted anyway.

Most other houses locally seem to be moving really fast. Would appreciate guidance.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/88479571#/

One thing i would really recommend is painting the kitchen units. That’s where I think you’ll get the most value for money.

I agree with this. I was surprised to see they're only 6 years old as I have similar in my house which are at least 15 years old. I think repainting would make a huge impact.

I also think retaking photos should be top of your to do list. Lights off and better angles will make the house seem completely different.

Redoing photos is a given but what steps do I need to take before that?

Re kitchen should it be new doors, door wrapping or door painting? I’m very time poor

Pictures of kitchens would be really useful if anyone can be bothered

Oh and the oven and dishwasher are both new

They aren’t wood they are like fake wood, will paint still work?

So useful, thank you

Your house is lovely but those pics may it seem really really dull and dark. And I know grey is a “thing” but it really is a turn off for me. Maybe one room but not all over the house. It doesn’t feel
“Lived in” in the pics. You need some accessories to liven up the pics. Especially the single pink room, it’s really dull looking in the pics, no natural light.

@slithytoveisascientist

They aren’t wood they are like fake wood, will paint still work?

I would give the kitchen doors a good scrub and then a coat of Zinsser Bin before using a satin hard wearing paint. Zinsser Bin is an amazing primer which adheres well to almost any surface. We used it to paint over our varnished doorframes and skirting boards and they still look great years later.

We used a paint designed for kitchen cupboards to paint over the doors and drawers when we moved into our current house. We painted them cream over the original bottle green. Over 12 years later they still look good, but I can't remember the make.

I haven't read the whole thread and I'm sure this has been covered, but the lilac bedroom made me wince a bit. I hate lilacs and purples and it seems many people feel the same way. I would find a warm, but neutral colour to replace the lilac.

Definitely agree that painting the cabinets is the most that you should do with the kitchen, because most buyers will eventually want to put one in that suits their taste and lifestyle exactly, and people are often put off by the idea of paying for a kitchen that is lovely and new, but not quite what they would have chosen.

However, if you can be bothered- and have the patience to do it neatly- a coat of paint on your cabinets would offset that initial “oh, old-fashioned kitchen” that might stop someone from viewing, as others have said. The cabinet door style is actually great, but the eye almost imagines a more old fashioned design because of the colour.

I would re paint the bedrooms a neutral colour- something like Little Greene pale french grey. Th yellow and purple would put a few people off imo.

Don’t love the grey carpet.

Try and have a new agent come and take better photos on a sunnier day perhaps? New angles etc. Should be free for you.

People should be able to look past the decor etc as they seem good sized rooms.

@Handsoffstrikesagain

This is something small but again great for visual impact, but when you make the beds up for viewings, take them out from under the sheets and ‘prop’ them up, like you’d see in a hotel. It adds layers of texture if you have some cushions to go on as well and just adds a nicer touch to the room.

Take what out?

Just to make it clear, if I was painting the kitchen fronts I would:

Rub it down with liquid sander.
Coat of Zinsser Bin.
Paint over with your chosen colour paint.

You could probably skip the liquid sander entirely if you use Zinsser Bin, but it's not time consuming to give it a quick going over with the liquid sander. If the surfaces are good, I wouldn't bother with actual sanding as it's a horrible, messy job.

Take what out?

Looking at the pictures I think Handsoffstrikesagain means the pillows. Smooth down the duvet and place pillows over the top. I agree.

To get a professional finish on the kitchen cupboards you’ll be removing doors drawers handles, & the plinths, & 3 coats of paint.

The cupboards look in good condition, I wouldn’t paint them unless you have the time & effort to do a good job. Nothing worse than a poor quality finish.

If you do decide to paint them, think about the tiles, will you be happy to keep the cream?

I’ve just read all your replies op.
I’m shocked that the agent removed all your photos and mirrors- it is the one thing I felt looking at the advert- it doesn’t look lived in and lacked soul.

Also they shouldn’t be touching your stuff or moving anything due to Covid.

I think I’d be more inclined to view it if it had mirrors etc! Annoying agents.

Do repost a link when you’ve had it listed with someone else