Are buyers expecting pristine houses?

[Lofu]

Our house has been on the market since Dec at £280k. 3 bed extended detached in a desirable area. Garden, drive for two cars, garage.

It's a 1970s house so not attractive from the outside, we know this. Neighbours houses which are smaller but older and more attractive have sold recently for £325k. So I think we are priced accordingly.

We've had 7 viewings so far and each one has said the same thing- the house needs a bit more work than we anticipated.

The only thing I think needs doing is the bathroom which is serviceable but about 10 years old and not on trend. Again estate agent said this is reflected in the price. Everything else in the house is done.

I can't think what people mean. Our house isn't show home standard but I would say appropriately done up for a house of its age.

I thought it was normal to expect to do a few bits in an older house. Is anyone else finding that viewers are being very fussy about how houses are decorated?

Those are the properties I looked at @RedToothBrush. The first two are much better value.

The front drive needs a good weeding plus jet wash to spruce it up, as well as a few pot plants.

The back garden needs to look a lot smarter; mowing the lawn as a basic start would help. A few pot plants here will also help bring it to life.

The draping curtains need taking up, as they look a bit messy.

All bedrooms should have beds in them; with the third currently looking like an office, it's not clear what size bed and other furniture would fit, it needs dressing as a bedroom.

It's a nice house though, make a few changes, drop the price by £20k to generate more interest, and I'm sure it will sell.

Good luck!

I think its price.
The trouble is you don't always get honest or even the correct feedback. More work than expected is an easy bland thing to say, rather than well for that money I was expecting better and it compares poorly to other stuff I've viewed or seen online.
Yes you can tidy up and wait for a buyer. If the market moves it might work but you have to wait it out. Your call whether its best to take a smaller profit but move on quicker...

You’ve had viewings which means that people think it’s nice enough in the photos to come and take a look - so it’s not the presentation.
People will buy houses that need a bit of doing up (as you say - it’s older so to be expected) so it really can only be price. Don’t spend time making it look superficially attractive - you’ve already done that. People aren’t going to put an offer in because you’ve jet washed the driveway.
The only reason houses don’t sell is price.

'Needs more work than I thought'
just sounds like an excuse because they have to give a reason to the estate agent.
It is in a much better condition than our house was when we bought it.
I agree about pot plants. That is really all we did to give our previous house more kerb appeal.
Price is likely to be the key.

We bought our house in 2015 and it's definitely not had a 55% increase, I'd say nearer to 30%. So based on those percentages it would make your house worth about £240k which is what a poster up thread has said the houses are being sold for in your area. My first thought whenever a 'normal' family home isn't selling is that it's overpriced, what is your agent saying?

Nice house.
I would “dress” your bedrooms more - cushions etc. and remove and store some furniture. I think people are looking for Instagram style bedrooms now. Pinterest is your friend here and less is more. We used to shove stuff in the boot of our car for viewings. It was like our toddler only had some very tastefully displayed wooden toys - she didn’t - just all the plastic tat was in the boot. We got rid of loads of clutter and packed the rest away. We had “special towels” we used to fold properly and place in the bathroom - we did not use them in between. We cleared all shampoo bottles etc. away too.
We also used to clear all surfaces in the kitchen bar a few items. We even hid the kettle. It did look very “show home” and was hard work to maintain for viewings but it helped our property sell quickly in a sea of similar but not as “finished” properties. Good luck!

Put the cot in the smallest bedroom if it isn't already and borrow/get a bed for the 2nd biggest. People need to see all the bedrooms as bedrooms.

Is that an asbestos roof on the garage? Concrete garages need replacing after soo many years so that might be putting people off.

If I was you I wouldn't move. I'd buy/build a garden office and stay put. I think your house is lovely

I genuinely can’t find anything wrong with it. At an absolute stretch I might do the weeding / back garden and ask them to retake those photos, but it certainly wouldn’t put me off viewing.

The inside is fine, the front needs sorting, put some pots out, clean the driveway,

When you speak to the EA ask them to get clearer feedback on what work viewers think needs doing

I'd get a nice big wrought iron trough with trailing flowers for the front living room window and secure it with hooks rather than screws so you can take it with you when you move. Something like this www.futuregarden.co.uk/blacksmith-premium-wall-trough?opt=3883&gclid=CjwKCAjw6qqDBhB-EiwACBs6x5nmasBfdqcjiCaOGQzslYOuWg5UndG5vFN2mIezJjORbLpUFYoKNxoCxLEQAvD_BwE

@dubyalass

You bought in 2015 for £180k - in which case, that's a 55% increase in price in six years. I know the market is a bit bonkers in some areas and you've done quite a lot of work (it is nicely presented) but that seems like an insane increase outside of London (although I'm in the south west so I've no idea what the market is doing up your way).

The curtains in the dining room definitely need taking up and hanging properly, and I would also say do you have enough photos of the house? The listing above has a photo of the downstairs loo - might be worth adding one of this in case people don't immediately look at the floor plan? I would also replace the bath side panel if possible so it matches the white bath - the yellowed plastic immediately makes it look like the bathroom needs replacing, which it doesn't.

The house was in a bit of a state of disrepair when we bought it. We have: Re-wired Replaced 70s downlights with pendants Put fences up Replaced downstairs flooring and skirting boards and painted (it was yellow and brown!) All new kitchen Replaced previous rotted decking with new Removed laminate in hallway and refurbed original floorboards Put in french doors

Prices in the area have really gone up as well, we bought when it was 'up and coming' and it's a bit more up and come now.

Doesn't mean it's not overpriced though!

Your garden looks quite overlooked by the row of houses or flats. House looks lovely decor is good etc. Is it in a neighbourhood with students or something?

@RedToothBrush
the first house has the disadvantage of one bedroom being on lower ground floor and the other two on top floor and the garage is no longer a garage the OP's house has a garage and there are steep steps down to garden so maybe not suitable for small children but overall maybe better value
the second house has a tiny kitchen in a separate room but is a nice feel but again no actual garage just over street parking and is a semi not detached
the new build has a very small garden the back fence is practically outside kitchen window and often new builds depreciate in value
they have some advantages but they are not outstandingly better

I never expect a pristine house and hate the trend of 'dressing' the house. I want to see a house that looks lived in.

The thing that would put me off is that it is all open plan downstairs, but I know a lot of people like that.

[quote TeacupDrama]@RedToothBrush
the first house has the disadvantage of one bedroom being on lower ground floor and the other two on top floor and the garage is no longer a garage the OP's house has a garage and there are steep steps down to garden so maybe not suitable for small children but overall maybe better value
the second house has a tiny kitchen in a separate room but is a nice feel but again no actual garage just over street parking and is a semi not detached
the new build has a very small garden the back fence is practically outside kitchen window and often new builds depreciate in value
they have some advantages but they are not outstandingly better[/quote]
I disagree. I think the first two are substantially better, not least because the bedrooms are a decent size. A ground floor bedroom is only a problem if you have very young children and is a positive advantage as a guest room.

I think it's lovely but the front could do with some colour maybe a big pot with something in it.

Only one viewer out of seven has said the bedrooms are too small, which I can't argue with.

I can't believe people would be put off by a toilet seat! Ours cracked two days before the photos so I ordered one quick off prime and it doesn't quite fit! I was so annoyed!

I have never pretended to have any inclination toward interior design, I'm sorry but I do expect people to look past my furniture and the way I've laid it out. I'm not selling you my furniture.

And I certainly can't be doing with turning the office into the baby room and putting a double bed in the toddler room. Where are we expected to work whilst this is all in place?

Certainly going to replace the December garden photo with a new one now the flowers are out and the grass can be mowed, and get some colour out front.

Will discuss with DP about lowering price too.

The only thing that I would add is, do you actively ‘sell’ your property when you show people round? Do you converse with your prospective buyers an emphasise all the positive aspects? I remember when we last sold a property I read that certain smells can make a house feel homely and help them to sell, think baking bread and coffee. 🙂

I think the photos look lovely but does it look different in real life - which is why they are saying they didn’t realise it needed so much work?

Honestly I think it looks lovely - I think you have to ask the agent for more specific feedback. Even the bathroom looks fine to me

Your house is lovely and, apart from the bit at the back which I assume is an extension, is just like the house I grew up in so thank you for the nostalgia OP. I hope you find a buyer soon.

You have a love it or hate it layout with the downstairs being completely open plan. People will view it of course but are they willing to live completely open plan is
Another matter.

I’d also get rid of the front porch - personally I dont see the point of it and doesn’t add to the curb appeal.

I think it is the price.

Whilst a similar place went in 2017 for £225000