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We have been on since I think October, had only 2 viewings and one offer of £317k which was withdrawn as it was the top end of their budget - we wouldn’t have accepted anyway.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

This won't be helpful but I love the Celtic top!

www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/norberg-wall-mounted-drop-leaf-table-white-30180504/

www.ikea.com/gb/en/cat/dining-sets-up-to-2-seats-36209/

Is this really naff?

It's fine @slithytoveisascientist , it doesn't have to be my or any other posters taste (I have all boring white shaker style furniture myself) - as just like your other furniture you'll be taking it with you when you hopefully move!

The main thing is to measure up properly to make sure it's not too big for the space (since the whole point of the table is to show that it is a spacious family kitchen - with enough room for a toddler or 2 to colour at a table so the parent can keep an eye on them while cooking type of thing).

As for the colourful blinds, caddies, seat cushions etc - that will look nice and help liven the kitchen up if you would like those things anyway, but for me the priority would be to see that there was space for a table and chairs (and maybe a cheap bowl of bright fruit and bunch of colourful flowers just for a pleasant ambiance).

For the kitchen blinds - can you find tension rods and hem some floral fabric or some casually striped fabric like the original horizontal stripe blinds that were there when you bought the house? Tension rods require no drilling.

Could you fit your desk into the kitchen - there seems to be an area of wall to the right of the door when you walk in from the hall. It would suggest space where you could have a kitchen desk/noticeboard.

What do you keep in the big built-in cupboard that goes under the stairs? Could you hang coats there just for the purposes of illustration? Or could you put some hooks on the blank wall in the utility room?
In any case, both the utility room and the built in cupboard need photos.

The blank wall on the right of the kitchen as you look toward the garden needs a big piece of art with personality. Or you could find some assorted colourful plates with cool blues and greens, cool but vivid pinks, even some cool bright yellows and corals, and create a montage on that wall. You could also go for cottagey/vintage blue and white ware. Or even quirky blue and white ware -
www.ebay.com/itm/Jellyfish-wall-plate-Decorative-plate-for-hanging-Nautical-Coastal-house-art-/202893229933

Or perhaps something a little boho -
www.chinahao.com/Product/522629391712/european_american_painted_plates_wall_contemporary_hand_painted_porcelain_hanging_plate_set_wall_trim_wall_plates_decorative_plates

You could also cover some canvas frames with Ikea style fabric. If you choose this route, make sure your patterns are bold, not delicate.
www.ebay.com/itm/IKEA-IRMELIN-Fabric-Flowers-Pattern-2-04-Yards-59-150cm-Wide-100-Cotton/224301300987?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20201210111314%26meid%3D9d3ac6737afb48b2a44c747aa1748368%26pid%3D101195%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dpf%26sd%3D201259323036%26itm%3D224301300987%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv5PairwiseWebWithDarwoV3BBEV2b%26brand%3DIKEA&_trksid=p2047675.c101195.m1851
...crikey...

For tea towels and the odd decorative item for the counter, go for items in colours like the ones in these fabrics:
www.ebay.com/itm/LAST-CHANCE-IKEA-Janette-Fabric-59-x-1-0-yd-100-Cotton-Floral-Pattern/201259323036?hash=item2edbfd8e9c:g:p2wAAOxy69JTDDQA

www.ebay.com/itm/Flowers-Forest-IKEA-Fredrika-Cotton-Fabric/363261711905?hash=item549415d621:g:fagAAOSwcm5fQBNB

The items themselves don't need to be floral - these fabrics have bright, cool toned colours.

The answer to the question 'What accent colour should I choose' is 'Choose a few colours'.

As for accent colours - blues or greens are generally a safe bet in any area of the house. I'd avoid very dark or bright colours (red, orange, bright yellow) or so called "feminine" colours (pink, purple) unless all in very small amounts. Because greens and blues are the colours we see all around us everyday (plants, sky, etc), psychologically even if they aren't our exact taste, it's hard for people to find them especially off-putting.

[quote slithytoveisascientist]Is thiis really naff?

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Compact-2-Seater-Kitchen-Dining-Table-and-Chairs-Space-Saving-Furniture-Set/112321454775?epid=21031290291&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item1a26e162b7:g:8TMAAOSw8lpeMVpM&amdata=enc%3AAQAFAAACgBaobrjLl8XobRIiIML1V4Imu%252Fn%252BzU5L90Z278x5ickkAgU0umhwUTmgTFbE5cu7zcpHJ009orhpB5HjSjNI35I4xIdF5i2QilAjZ%252F%252FD2JBQjVjYDFyHCSuQ248SqMuexotVFF9s9tFjYAlxuBfeVV%252B0OUqe9VFjxUtxgKgY4eFDBSVNQDAx3bY022GjogzNBNbtdQvxKVlK9Lz99j6nfsoGd%252FQzdRq6Ge9qy04fs0xJ%252Byk4QMJh2n6T2he5p0f7AZOJC52cNRuKki1bAD%252B5J9lRwnMMl9J06%252Fcp8%252FdV0izMlBsWGY0qZ2TJgFVH5f7lRJId12ZtDm2EHGjBnnQ3u5pGAt6BSinNSPTEZ2ljHHcIp802ZSGODYAcCz1mLNoa4Hq7qFTxbKqb2FRZmzlAl9hmV45iuzOVQqpJAELmnIF6Lv9TyaTdH0DQu2uJypKmgJsnf7HSFraMrG4GaZF7MIuXQ3DagA3SPCcaDbyGSmu3aBwQ5ipAsIUiINv8yGNOUD0C9Cs%252BOmu%252B1dozUfmu3vy9km6q%252FNCViw90V1A4a0B01A5MRnGZmN0luROTbXB9zGM0jPys8f3JdVstp18o%252BY4ZebzSMwH0naQXMmKvMRIc%252FS5%252Bw03aU3THl4WmHsLC%252BzOV0gLpUzANYctNzEFsSiV5NGoCE9gquou4pMOHscepsD9CMlYAZJrvIllfE1KNDMJaQCjQtSlCKO4cc%252Fn3EXm5mBG0YShDwDu536giS6huGlX6Kuv9UzdHURhksdj7D0jlmPZxoglQ0lsWGmsrvK%252Bac442AoidWkOWiMPAvtsX57W0n0TvnA1%252FdHu%252B1uOmKITooy8HIklSPWMLV2cW2iI%253D%7Ccksum%3A1123214547752feed06bda42474299d200e532ed1a99%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2334524[/quote]
Sorry but it looks really cheap and angular. It doesn't go at all because its the wrong style for your cupboards and not on trend. Try looking at farmhouse www.etsy.com/uk/market/farmhouse_furniture

As far as colour goes, you could go for Illuminating yellow (colour of the year) If you shop at Spoonflower you can buy loads of matching home decor items, plus matching fabric and wallpaper. You could even make some decoupage accessories from it like plant pots etc so you have bright up to the minute pops of colour.

I think it's just people holding out at the moment.
The only thing that would bother me is there's no bath in the main bathroom. If I bought it, I would have to put one in and redo the whole bathroom. So that's gonna take a few grand. But it's just my personal choice
Other than that I'd be quite happy to buy it!

Illuminating yellow + golden/honey oak cabinets = too much yellow.

The first photo you have taken of your kitchen/the one with the table is lovely. It's the EA kitchen photo which makes it look dated and old.

This is my old house, the kitchen IS old and knackered, one of those cheapy kitchens fitted for a rental property. In the EA photo yours reminded me of it and I did think it was naff, but your photo makes it look newer and better quality.

I like your house OP and I don't think your kitchen looks dated. Have the people commenting watched the video? It looks so much better in the video and there is clearly a bath in the main bathroom.

A few things that jumped out at me from a personal point of view are:-

*The no blinds in the kitchen and main bathroom. I would feel like I was living in a goldfish bowl if I had to be in your kitchen when it's dark outside and the houses overlooking your garden must be able to see right in. Same story with bathroom really.

*You keep your microwave in your utility room. I immediately thought is there no room for it in the main kitchen? There clearly is but that's what it initially made me think.

• I wonder if given the current climate putting the desk that you've got in your living room into the family room, by moving the unit that the tv sits on out, would show it as an adaptable space for all the working from home people.

*Your door handles are all gold. I'd immediately think I'd need to replace them as they do look old fashioned.

I agree that you need new plump cushions to give your rooms a more finished look. I noticed that the EA seems to have used the same cushion in both the master bedroom and the lilac room. They've also staged the bed differently in the two pictures of the lilac room which confused me as for a minute I thought it was a different room.

New photographs I'm sure will make a world of difference.

I hadn't noticed the lack of blinds in the kitchen and it wouldn't make a difference as to whether or not I would view your house.

As you may be able to tell, I'm against you spending money on things as much as possible!

The only thing I would spend money on (can you borrow?) would be the table and chairs to show one will fit.

Otherwise just select carefully from what you've got. I think the bulk of the 'improvement' required will just come from have a better photo angle.

I get an overall impression that it is beige. It's like a show house but not for now, for about 2000.

The plan shows the dining room being off the kitchen but the pics look like you are using the 'family room' so the dining room on the plan looks like a wasted space or a thoroughfare.

I'd move the table into the dining room and make the family room and lounge look live different rooms, maybe the lounge as a family room - add a couple of toys and then the other room more of an adults only room.

I think you need to rearrange the lilac room, it looks like the only place for a bed is right next to the radiator under the window - that would put me off. Well it would if I could afford to buy.

I agree it looks dark, the outside pics show bright sunshine yet indoors all the lights are on and it still looks dark.

You also have a lot of doors, I know some are closets and I'm not sure what you can do about that.

I know all that sounds negative but I actually really like the house.

Another tip - when I was taking practice photos of my kitchen etc I reused things from other rooms, so do check you aren't over buying 'props'.

Also - I'm a big fan of soft furnishings so I forget because they are everywhere in my house (and not to everyone's taste) but yes, I had cushions on a chair in the kitchen (old baby feeding rocking chair!) and art on the wall as well.

Keep going, well done!

Ideas from my old kitchen diner (oh and a rug)

God no, not that table and chairs. It’s just more of the same and you’re trying to steer your house in a different direction.

My main impression is dark as the lights are on and odd angled photography

Growing Herbs on kitchen window sill.

Splash of green, freshness & foodie all at once.

‘Here, buy my house, you too can grow herbs & be a fabulous cook etc.’

I think the virtual tour shows a very different house from the photos. Unfortunately many people won't bother watching it if they're not impressed with the photos.

I'm also not a fan of the table you linked to.

I think something more like this if it will fit. I did initially go through bright, pops of colour and the thoughts on yellow and was going to advise more accessories. But you run the risk of it looking gawdy as you would have to be very careful, which is why I said upthread about herbs in concrete pots. This looks more like your taste as well. Look at the picture colour behind and imagine that sort of thing in your kitchen. The light / mid green goes well with the black top and wood units giving it more of a fresh look. So I’m saying this as a complete look (ie the plants and maybe a picture like this in a thin, black frame). If you want to add any other colour although I wouldn’t think essential, it would then be very subtle - see the flowers on the table. The look im talking about is very on trend. See this article for info - top couple of trends. www.idealhome.co.uk/all-rooms-ideas/paint-trends-255611 here’s the table and chairs. I appreciate it’s more grey. But you don’t have any grey in this room so could get away with it when coupled with a lot of flowers and it has a hint of black to pull the look together. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/90cm-Round-Dining-Table-and-4-Tulip-Chairs-Set-Padded-Grey-Kitchen-Cafe-UK-White/254302525012?_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item3b359c9654:g:Cx8AAOSw-e5f~~ER&amdata=enc%3AAQAFAAACcBaobrjLl8XobRIiIML1V4Imu%252Fn%252BzU5L90Z278x5ickkrDx%252B2NLp21dg6hHbHAkGMd2zoJ0Ql101%252BS5JSdPBvgu2IT%252F6ZpSsxMzr5ghWl0BJkLT4JlUPvZdLBRCg7Z30wgy0mjYxyZxd0guXHHj8a4V4DQlKhIj%252F4XRt%252BwbqsHPSlJY%252BgxDXnEOi%252F8XNzXD9fusqdxsE8njT2lYHH%252BdkqVcZARaDOdrHPLainxJ%252Bc47%252F4JUrSvr%252FEKHwnyhZpWiuPmg9xSRHUg3MOv7oNRwBbsWhjDQt94xpb%252FvSUITVZXAlG7Hra2JM9J8Z4XE9bsmbbzXwFppDMjRV1TZcjsSEmD3Qd4Li2Mzc8YNgrR0elwOnV1Svlx9QBWUAIyQjqFcoys46wyoQLVSChab90hrsz%252BaBLG5xhf8JoCwASt74bTrC279MWcogFNIHsftnOOjxoy214qgum6kndCMHCep4MQgYVc1kvy8zC06ZLPUfwqvm5BEs8Ae8Rit5YBJoV72WMUZ30WKdcIQxyxBztQo4gM3WdrSElTmEyaCMIVRM8ACIX4q10tUBXNpkGmbS8zF3L19WBAe2aYutKveNbSa3xWElTMB09EC1dIH3TVnarMTfeoRt6gB%252BO9RLSbOSUYPD%252BnPAonMmQO8aZAdFUrDLiJpdCwzco88bv49nGAUjbwDrQR50UG8pyty7ohSGUDycrsApDnR6fxaOf2lwPIKaV7mV4eMHbL%252FLtz3WIRxymJNr2JDlfhN3n8rGMn6NmWcQhNU%252BZKif4ffOZ53dCcGWresGtrp4dpQIIDQri%252BhuHwwPp3TutbZ%252BYzNvsOoR1iC%252F0A%253D%253D%7Ccksum%3A254302525012cbbe9e63fe9b4568aa80a0c67c095985%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2334524

Oops not a “lot of flowers”. I meant some herbs in pots. Brain fart.

I would replace the photo that seems to show the back patio gets no sun. Or if it does get sun, take the photo at a time of day that shows this.
Personally I don’t think the decor is off-putting as I’d prefer to buy a house in need of a makeover and decorate it all to my own taste, rather than buy something up to date but not my style, it would be harder to justify redecorating that. Depends on budget though I guess.

Lower the price job done.

Why didn’t you take the £317,000 offer.