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Original poster

No offers on our house

810 replies

housetales · 12/09/2021 21:21

Our house has been on the market for 2 months - launching as the school holidays started which I think was a huge mistake - with what I'd describe as a handful of viewings (mostly right as it went live).

The price it's been listed at was the agent's price, not ours, and when compared with others locally, doesn't seem OTT. All the agents who came round gave similar valuations too. No viewers have said upon viewing it that it is overpriced either.

We had only one bit of negative feedback and it was only from a couple of viewers, not all - that we are overlooked from the side of our property - so we purchased some 10ft trees to allay that concern.

I'm putting myself out there with a link to see what you guys think so be gentle! Should we stay on the market or take it off for now? I should say we only went on the market as we fancied a project for our forever home and were told there was a massive opportunity in our price range as there is such limited supply.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/110082437#/?channel=RES_BUY

OP posts:
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16
LimitIsUp · 13/09/2021 15:18

Incidentally I think it's a red herring where posters have suggested that buyers will want a wow factor or a turn key proposition. If you are buying a house in this price range you also have the money to rip out kitchens / bathrooms etc and do your own thing

Thelittleweasel · 13/09/2021 15:22

@housetales

The agents say [to potential viewers/buyers] "confirm whether freehold or leasehold! Don't they know? If there is any doubt or if it is indeed leasehold most buyers would run a mile and keep running!

Mildura · 13/09/2021 15:39

[quote Thelittleweasel]@housetales

The agents say [to potential viewers/buyers] "confirm whether freehold or leasehold! Don't they know? If there is any doubt or if it is indeed leasehold most buyers would run a mile and keep running![/quote]
This is Rightmove's fault really.

They've changed their system recently, with a different field field to confirm tenure, but didn't actually notify anyone they had done it. As such many agents weren't aware they needed to update their CMS to give Rightmove the info in a different way.

converseandjeans · 13/09/2021 15:43

mummyh2016

This. I know geographically that Streetly is classed as Sutton Coldfield but really I don't know anyone (apart from maybe people live in Streetly!) who classes it as Sutton. It is that and the fact that it comes under Walsall Council that will be causing it to be overpriced.

The house is pretty much halfway between Walsall & Sutton. It's not in Sutton Coldfield & there's no train station for commuting either.

It's like when people from Burntwood or Cannock say they're from Lichfield?

It's part of Walsall - hence people not wanting to pay £1.3mill.

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streetly

Streetly is nice enough but it's nothing special 🤷🏻‍♀️

HTKB · 13/09/2021 15:51

How did the open day go? Did you get any useful feedback?

I’m another one voting you should stay. You clearly love the area, you’re only moving to go up the property ladder, and what for? How much more house do you need? (Or any of us in a large detached house). Do all the work, make it gorgeous, love it and enjoy it.

artquejtion · 13/09/2021 15:53

@housetales.

I think it is a house with great potential, if you do decide to do it up yourselves and stay there !! Get George whatsisname on to it Grin.

I am like you, I do not like period properties at all, and there is NO WAY I would compromise by living on busy road. Modern and quiet location for me too.

Good luck with whatever you decide, but I still think 2 months is no time to have a house on the market.

Tooembarrassingtomention · 13/09/2021 15:57

@bshfan

Fake plants are fine if you buy well. I got a beautiful fake orchid in a pot from John Lewis I think.

I'v found zoopla is only accurate just after a property has sold as they obviously use the land registry.

Fake plants are not fine You can hire plants and the company come round and renew them
Tooembarrassingtomention · 13/09/2021 16:00

Bathrooms
williamholland.com

Radiators -maybe a little too period
www.castrads.com/uk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhqKsvpv88gIVkt_tCh3ICAkPEAAYASAAEgJncPD_BwE

Tooembarrassingtomention · 13/09/2021 16:02

@LimitIsUp

Incidentally I think it's a red herring where posters have suggested that buyers will want a wow factor or a turn key proposition. If you are buying a house in this price range you also have the money to rip out kitchens / bathrooms etc and do your own thing
Not necessarily. Some people put down the maximum deposit they can to secure the mortgage and have no spare cash- certainly not £150,000
WhistPie · 13/09/2021 16:03

@DappledThings

grin I know very well - and Knowle isn't really Solihull, it's Warwickshire as I was frequently told 🤣

I grew up in Knowle. The obsessive snobbery about being not Solihull and Solihull being not Birmingham was so tedious.

You've forgotten "and Chelmsley Wood doesn't belong in Solihull at all"
Tooembarrassingtomention · 13/09/2021 16:12

Could you properly annex the other house?

If it has a large garden that might be a solution. A family member joined 2 properties with a large glass room.

DappledThings · 13/09/2021 16:27

You've forgotten "and Chelmsley Wood doesn't belong in Solihull at all
Ah yes, the bit estate agents call North Solihull!

sst1234 · 13/09/2021 16:31

@flibberyjibbery8

That price for Birmingham seems INSANE. Sorry.
Ah this is the nugget of wisdom that OP was looking for. A random unquantified opinion.
Lostatsea10 · 13/09/2021 16:55

I think people have been deliberately hard in some of their comments- whilst some of the feedback might be valid I think perhaps the way it's delivered has been unnecessary.

You have a lovely home OP and I have no real, constructive feedback that either hasn't been said or is specific to the area or home. My only slight comment is that in some of the pictures it looks very sparse- I don't mean re 'clutter' completely but just some sign of family living or of your lovely personality (which, for this thread- you've been amazing OP!). It is just a bit soul less in terms of the family bits that make a house a home- it seems hard to imagine children living in it in the sense of I'd be scared for them to touch things.

Also, the only other thing of use I have to add is that some of the pictures are taken from a slightly strange angle that make it look small or hemmed in- e.g. the picture at the top of the stairs showing your (beautiful) light fitting- it makes the stairs look like a tight turn and that the ceiling is low and you'll bash your head as you go up or down. Perhaps if you decide to re list ask for these photos to be taken again or at a different angle.

However, you clearly love your home and it is beautiful so I would definitely consider spending some money in terms of kitchen etc and have it as you'd like and see how you feel in another few years. You have great tenants (nearest neighbour), a beautiful home and love the area- you've hit the property jackpot in terms of the wider area/factors and I would really consider that strongly before moving. Good luck

user1498572889 · 13/09/2021 16:56

It’s a lovely house op.

Grenlei · 13/09/2021 17:09

I would think if you're selling a modern house people would expect not to do too much work, that's part of the appeal and therefore may tend to look closer to the top end of their budget rather than expecting to pay £X for a house plus £100k for doing it up.

Add to that the further you go up the price brackets people also start to expect a wow factor of some kind., or an obvious way to add value in future (like detached double garage with potential for annex, garden room etc, ditto any other outbuildings, part converted cellars or attics etc)

BridesmaidHelp · 13/09/2021 17:10

Most snipey comments are from jealous people. Some saying oh it wouldn’t cost that in London probably can’t even afford a property in your price range. Pay them no mind.

Hathertonhariden · 13/09/2021 17:17

Like others I think the issue is that buyers who like period/architecturally interesting/quirky properties will not be interested. The new build buyer is your market but they want new, shiny and gizmos. Equally they don't want any work. Someone suggested lights in the wardrobes and that is the kind of thing people would look for. The long post about creating a shag pad is also full of good ideas.

Have you looked at Modern Gardens magazine? That would give you ideas of what you can do with a modern estate sized plot. They also provide lots of advice/ideas for overlooked plots as that is obviously a common issue with new builds. They do costing breakdowns and give you an idea of how long each project took. Some of the more upmarket gardening magazines assume you have considerably more space and enthusiasm for gardening so probably wouldn't be as helpful.

YouTubeAddict · 13/09/2021 17:28

I think it’s lovely. As others have said, I think your main problem is that there are far fewer people buying houses of that value. Fingers crossed for a sale soon though.

Kitchendrama1 · 13/09/2021 18:10

@BridesmaidHelp

Most snipey comments are from jealous people. Some saying oh it wouldn’t cost that in London probably can’t even afford a property in your price range. Pay them no mind.
Wtf
MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 13/09/2021 18:13

That's a good point from @Mummyford about buyers being put off doing even cosmetic work, because it's so difficult at the moment. Normally, I'd prefer a slightly tired kitchen, as I could justify replacement, but I'd certainly think twice at the moment.

UserEmptor · 13/09/2021 19:37

OP, I know nothing of the Solihull/Birmingham property market (am a developer/LL in a different area of the country, which is certain death on MN) - but I just want to say that I think you have taken the brickbats (sorry - this word is from MN 20 years ago, but does the job) with great dignity. As you will have realised, it's far easier to sell a house that is either an obvious do-er-upper or a swanky 'all bells and whistles' modernist thing than it it to sell something that's a bit in between. I tried to sell a flat in a similar bracket recently (built in 2015, so a similar vintage to your house). I spent 20k putting in granite worktops, two new and drop-dead fabulous bathrooms etc, and it still didn't sell despite being in a property hotspot. It doesn't matter, as I didn't need it to sell - but the feedback from the viewings was that the new-builds have smartphone-operated central heating etc even though they are shitty new-builds in an inconvenient location with no parking)

BeepBoopBop · 13/09/2021 19:45

@crimsonlake

Great size house, I do think the whole house is too sterile to be honest. However anyone can see past that and see great room sizes.

I agree, it is a beautiful family home - it needs to reflect that. Ditch the champers, add some leafy houseplants, some well-tended pots and most of all, a "stunt pineapple".