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Why isn’t my house selling?

819 replies

slithytoveisascientist · 10/02/2021 22:02

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We have been on since I think October, had only 2 viewings and one offer of £317k which was withdrawn as it was the top end of their budget - we wouldn’t have accepted anyway.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

OP posts:
Thread gallery
48
Jent13c · 10/02/2021 23:02

I think the layout of the furniture needs a bit of work, it's just a big dark corridor at the moment.

  1. You have a beautiful sunroom, that's an amazing feature. Put a small sofa or 2 arm chairs in there with a little table for a reading spot. Take down the pink curtains, that plus all the radiators would make me think it was a cold room. I'd get a rug in there too.
  1. The current room off the kitchen I would make your dining room, it makes more sense and separates your family lounge from your sunroom/snug. I would personally try closing off the doors for your photos see if that makes it look less like a corridor. I would maybe consider moving the sideboard for the photos, it's a very large piece.
  1. Living room. Can you try moving the couch up towards the window about a half meter and then get a couch in front of the door facing the window? Maybe about half a meter away from the door to make the door usable and to stop all your furniture touching walls. I'd maybe move the coffee table to storage for the photos too. The foot stool needs to be moved too, it's not adding anything to the room. I think the wallpaper is fine, I would personally put the pink curtains up here rather than the short ones. Which I feel age it a little. Maybe a piece of artwork on the papered wall?
CeibaTree · 10/02/2021 23:03

We're house hunting at the moment but in no massive rush - things that would put me off your house are mostly decorative but if there was a house (like the one a pp posted) that looked more modern in style and didn't have coloured walls we'd view that one instead. Some buyers (like us) are looking for somewhere that's ready to move straight into and other people are looking for somewhere to put their own stamp on so it must be down to price. How quickly do you need to sell? In your position I'd come off the market for a couple of month, paint over the coloured walls and get rid of the wall paper, and then relist with better photos. Good luck!

ScottishStottie · 10/02/2021 23:05

Its the price.

But other than that the massively overlooked garden would put me off. If I was buying something to the specs of an ecpensive detached house, i would want it to feel private which i dont think yours does. Not from the photos anyway.

SchoonerP · 10/02/2021 23:05

The comp house you posted OP has a much bigger and landscaped garden. From what we can see your garden is tiny and overlooked. The other house has a bigger drive and is a reasonable layout.

mumtobabygilrl · 10/02/2021 23:05

Unless you look on the floor plan there is no photo of the bathroom with the bath In it, thinking it's only a shower room would put me off

lastqueenofscotland · 10/02/2021 23:05

If you put in include SSTC in similar properties, there are several 4bed detached within a third of a mile sold. The common denominator? They are all under £300k. Even if the photos were absolutely shite if the price was fair you’d have had more viewings.

Lemonsyellow · 10/02/2021 23:07

The living room puts me off. It’s the worst room and it’s the first photo. Where’s all your stuff? It looks so unloved and studenty.

Nancydrawn · 10/02/2021 23:07

In terms of decor, it looks not just sterile but almost institutional. The living room photos are particularly bad, and especially the second picture (first of living room). Looks a bit like a short-term let, particularly with the carpet.

In addition to what everyone's saying, I'd ditch the coffee table (or at least put a few books on it to cover up its massive oakiness), put down a nice rug under the coffee table, and maybe add some art above the couch? Never close those French doors, either--picture four is far lovelier than picture two.

I'd try to warm up the kitchen as well. It's not just a horrible angle, but it also looks flat and dated.

Meanwhile, in the kids' bedrooms I'd tuck the rug underneath the bed to give the impression of more open floor-space/spaciousness.

In terms of price, looking at the house I'd be factoring in minimum of £10k for redecorating, as it currently stands. While MN is of course right that it's always about price, you have to imagine what people think they'd have to do to update it. Honestly, some better staging might knock my imaginary redecorating budget down to £2k or so, which would mean that in my head the house would be £8k cheaper than it currently looks (if that makes sense).

SchoonerP · 10/02/2021 23:07

It's also 70m2 bigger! There's just no comparison

Viviennemary · 10/02/2021 23:07

It's basically a nice house. It looks good from the front. The back looks a little bit over extended casting a shadow on the garden. The lounge could be redecorated and the bedrooms made more appealing. Unless it's vastly overpriced for the area I can't see why it won't sell. It's far nicer than a lot of houses on here.

MatLeave · 10/02/2021 23:08

Lovely house, needs some colour in the kitchen, nice flowers and accessories. Some wall art throughout may help. The ‘overlooked’ garden photo could be changed.

Bluntness100 · 10/02/2021 23:09

@lastqueenofscotland

If you put in include SSTC in similar properties, there are several 4bed detached within a third of a mile sold. The common denominator? They are all under £300k. Even if the photos were absolutely shite if the price was fair you’d have had more viewings.
It’s always the price. The ceiling for the area for this type of property would be about 300. On top of this, the house needs some cosmetic work.

I think you were lucky to get offered 317 and I’m not surprise it was withdrawn.

It’s up to you, you can hang on, but if no ones even viewing and it’s been on since Oct, it’s the price all day long.

Nancydrawn · 10/02/2021 23:09

PS: it looks, on inspection, like you have a lovely summer kitchen at the back of your yard. Play that up! Make sure you stage the outdoors as well.

slithytoveisascientist · 10/02/2021 23:10

I wasn’t comparing that other house to mine @SchoonerP the price is hugely different, I wanted that house! It went day one for £420k

OP posts:
MyDcAreMarvel · 10/02/2021 23:10

I really like the house, I wasn’t sure if the lilac room bed was a full size single though. Also I would lose the tv’s in the master and dining room.

gratitutesmynewthing · 10/02/2021 23:13

Outside nice, garden good.
Hmmm so many different floorings, seems disjointed, lots of joins and different colours. Have you tried to update some bits for selling? Ok but dated bathroom & kitchen stands out, bland lounge, no focal point. I can't tell if the lounge carpet is new grey or old needs replacing grey?

Why curtains here ? Lots of curtains.

Why isn’t my house selling?
sst1234 · 10/02/2021 23:15

OP, honestly there is nothing wrong with your decor. Most serious house hunters are not out off by decor as long as it isn’t outlandish. It’s the price, it’s always the price.
For a house to be a hot property, it has to have something that almost other houses don’t have, for instance an amazing garden, huge potential to extend etc. Your house is perfectly presentable, very liveable but it’s of an age and style that isn’t unique, so you have competition. For it to sell at that price, there would have to be a drought on the market or the market would need to rise substantially more.

Hairyfairy01 · 10/02/2021 23:16

It's over priced. Simple as that really. A quick comparison of other similar properties in your area will tell you that.

veeeeh · 10/02/2021 23:17

Sorry I am in Dublin and although sellers will present their houses well here they wouldn't go to much trouble either. Right location sells in a flash.

We sold our late mums house in three weeks at 5k over asking. The place was very clean but needed a new kitchen, had been rented for 15 years.

Not much help to OP but just a comparison to those who say do this and that. Not worth it. Clean and clear, good survey and gas certs etc. Most want to put their own stamp on, and can see past most things.

Initial Price is the issue. Be realistic. Wishing you the best.

SnarkyBag · 10/02/2021 23:18

@lastqueenofscotland

If you put in include SSTC in similar properties, there are several 4bed detached within a third of a mile sold. The common denominator? They are all under £300k. Even if the photos were absolutely shite if the price was fair you’d have had more viewings.
Having looked at all the SSTC houses I’m inclined to agree even more about the price. I also looked at the street view map because you’ve mentioned location and that people wanting to live on an estate wouldn’t look where you are but really it is an estate? Nicer than a lot of new ones as there’s more space and wider roads but certainly what I would consider to be an estate
VinylDetective · 10/02/2021 23:19

The photos are awful. It looks very dark. New pictures would help a lot.

I’m assuming you’ve had a massive declutter but I think you’ve gone too far, it looks as if you’ve started moving out.

toconclude · 10/02/2021 23:19

Wouldn't even get a two bed terrace around here for that money. Sigh.

DNHandTNS · 10/02/2021 23:19

The outside looks nice, but the inside is uninspiring, characterless, bland. Sorry OP, but you did ask. I especially dislike the dated looking lounge but the kitchen has potential.
A good sized home, but maybe covid is stopping people moving.

Greenevalley · 10/02/2021 23:21

When we were selling our house our agent gave us advice on how to dress the house for the photos.
I bought a few nice bright cushions for the sofa, I put flowers on the table and a big bowl of green apples on the kitchen worktop.
I also bought a new duvet set and matching cushions for the bedroom.
You're selling a lifestyle.
Your house is immaculate but rather gloomy downstairs. Try injecting some colour.
It's a lovely house with a tweak it will look amazing.
Look at rooms online and how they've been dressed.

Chickychickydodah · 10/02/2021 23:24

To bland and boring , no character , sorry

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