Page 29 | No offers on our house

housetales · 2021-09-12T20:21:50+00:00

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. [[https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/110082437#/?channel=RES_BUY]]

Grenlei · 13/09/2021 20:01

Having looked at some new builds/ total reno's in the area I'm looking to move to, there seem to be some common themes, the new builds (and some that have been done up) have underfloor heating throughout downstairs and also in bathrooms combined often with tiled floors. Rainfall showers in bathrooms (and mostly double walk in showers so no doors), his and hers sinks, fancy baths - freestanding, or wider/ deeper than the usual. Often a dressing area or dressing room off the master bedroom. That's a kind of expectation people now have of homes of a certain size/ price bracket.

Autumnally · 13/09/2021 20:13

I think also, having said upthread that I’m not really a new build person, if I were to consider one I would be especially wary of one from the mid200s, largely because a lot of the big ticket items would be coming to the end of their lifespan; kitchens and appliances, boiler, bathrooms, would all be beginning to age. That age of house had potential to be a big money pit.

A friend has a beautiful house from a similar period and that is slowly starting to fall apart. It needs plenty of work and is starting to be expensive.

Secondsop · 13/09/2021 20:48

It’s a very nice house OP. I don’t know the area so can’t comment on price but wanted to emphasise 2 things: family warmth, and layout.

Family warmth - I would never in a million years have realised that a child lived in the mustard bedroom. The nursery also doesn’t get across the happy secure family vibe that I know you’ve been enjoying in the house. SHOW that it’s a lovely house for a family! Get out the Montessori toys, put some prints on the nursery wall of a quirky alphabet or something, pop an Eames elephant in the corner.

Layout: I think most family buyers are now looking for a family kitchen/living/eating/chillout space (along with an additional sitting room) rather than an eat-in kitchen and separate formal diner. You don’t have many reception spaces for the multifunctional living we now do (not a criticism, it’s just the way houses were built in the early 2000s!). If you stay longer you could consider knocking down and repositioning a few walls and opening the kitchen space up into the study/utility and creating a single space for a kitchen-diner that can fit a sofa, and adding boot room/utility plus a walk-in pantry into the corners. Then make the dining room into a separate super-gorgeous book-lined office / snug with some squishy chairs and a chandelier that looks like an astrolabe and at least one model boat and (crucially) a super-sexy background for zoom calls, and then you’ve still got the main living room but it would feel like you have LOTS of beautiful hanging-out spaces for the rhythm of family life. So for example the family room area could be a place where teens can do gaming or where you can hang out with a magazine and a coffee during the day while your baby (small child by then) potters about with their toys or doing some craft from some dreamy craft stuff you’ll have beautifully stored in a corner of the family room. And in the evening you all settle down in the other living room, and it would all be absolutely divine. THAT’S the lifestyle I’d want to be sold to me in your house.

And as others have said you’ve been exceptionally brave to put your house on here and you’ve taken all the feedback incredibly well and you’ve not been at all defensive so I really take my hat off to you and I hope you either continue to enjoy the home you’ve made, or you manage to make the next leap.

VenusTiger · 13/09/2021 21:16

I know the area very well @housetales I used to live on Newick - my parents and one of my siblings still live in the area.
I do think the asking price is too much.
Quite a bit too much if I'm honest.

Knittingbaker · 13/09/2021 21:23

Hi OP, I’ve only read the first 10 or so pages so apologies if I’m repeating other posters. But I do know the area really well so wanted to give a perspective of someone who has an awareness of local prices etc. The short version is that it just seems really over priced as I think most people would want to be either in Four Oaks or Little Aston estates (or bordering) if they’re spending that kind of money. Ot a house that doesn’t need as much updating.
They could also have a more characterful house for not much more money. I know Rosemary Hill is a main road but this house sold last year is is immaculate, much bigger with a great garden - and it sold for £1.4million last year. Plus would be in better school catchments.
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/71382699

The location isn’t great if you need state secondary schools as there’s no way you’d get into Arthur Terry and Streetly isn’t great. But you’re close to the park which is a lovely plus.

In terms of house, yours is bigger than this one but if a family does need good schools and don’t have a massive family/house your size, something like this on Jervis Crescent might appeal more as it’s still very close to the park but was done really nicely and in move-in condition? And it was significantly cheaper Jervis Crescent, Sutton Coldfield
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/100398950

I think if you put it on for £900,000 you would have got some offers. If you decide to remarket I hope you have more luck and if not enjoy living in your lovely home!

whatthejiggeries · 13/09/2021 21:28

I think others on here hit the nail on the head. It's not character and it's not modern so it doesn't appeal to either . Doesn't mean it won't sell but it may take a while to find a buyer

TheHouseILiveIn · 13/09/2021 21:45

Oh gosh, so many comments so I've given up reading.

OP, you are wonderful to be brave enough to start this thread and to take the comments in good humour. I would have flounced off by now. This is one of the most enjoyable threads I've read on Property in a long time.

You are very inspirational to have a house like this. I understand you bought it before you even married or had kids and were in your twenties? And bought your first house at 20? Gosh, that's made me want to seriously up my game!

Yes, it's the kitchen and bathrooms, blah blah, but I agree with your decision to do the kitchen and then try again. I was shocked this isn't your forever house and am wondering what on earth the house you want to move to is like! I would put in a new kitchen but wouldn't do the bathrooms because I usually decide on whether I want to buy a house before I go upstairs. If upstairs is ok then it wouldn't affect my decision. Your upstairs is definitely ok!

If you do the kitchen you might just decide to stay. Sounds like you love living there anyway, and the way you describe the area makes it sound lovely. I think you should definitely write the blurb rather than the EA

OriginalLilibet · 13/09/2021 21:53

Fuck me it's bland

TatianaBis · 13/09/2021 21:55

@Knittingbaker

The interior of the first house you linked is very well done (granted I would never buy a house on a main road).

If OP’s interior was like that I don’t think she would have a problem selling.

perfectasalways · 13/09/2021 22:14

I think it is absolutely beautiful and I would buy it if had the money! As a previous poster mentioned, some of the rooms look a bit sterile, especially the kitchen. I would inject a wee bit of your own personality but other than that the rooms you have decorated look amazing. Good luck. Being super picky by the way.

perfectasalways · 13/09/2021 22:24

Also maybe add some square shower heads to make the showers look like power showers. The kitchen is quite dated. Don't really know what you could do about that. If it wasn't that price I would say paint the units but that is not what a buyer would expect in that price range. You might have to take a bit of a hit because of the kitchen and the bathrooms. The rest is stunning.

Furries · 13/09/2021 22:36

@OriginalLilibet

Fuck me it's bland

Fuck me, that was helpful 😂

Happyhappyday · 13/09/2021 22:59

The house just feels pretty generic/bland. I get that it’s in a gated road or whatever but personally I would not be willing to pay anything for that. If anything it’d put me off. Ie, is it gated because the near area is dodge or because all the people who live there are snooty? Very much shopped in your price range for our house.

The kitchen is ugly & cheap and again, personally, we spend a ton of time there so I’d almost say it’s the room I care MOST about and it really lets the whole house down.

I don’t really care about being overlooked but if you can not be overlooked for the same price, I imagine thatd do it for folks.

Kipperandarthur · 13/09/2021 23:42

Well done OP for taking everything on the chin in the face of some harsh comments, some of which really have been uncalled for. But that seems to be the way with these types of threads,

You are now giving yourself some breathing space going forward to consider what you want to do. You’ve obviously been very successful to date and owning two properties next to each other does also give other consideration for the future.

Perhaps take this time to consider realistically what you want from this house going forward. You have lots of options that spring to mind…

Stay and enjoy your house with some upgrades
Combine the two houses you own as a selling package for that niche market looking for multi generational living - as you yourself had.
Sell the smaller property separately and yours
Lower your price and keep your rental but use equity from it
Put it back on the market February next year slightly lower
Or just re evaluate what you actually want from the future

Don’t get too down from faceless people on an anonymous forum who are all throwing in their critiques on your home. I’m sure you know that actually you are really in a very good position going forward whatever you decide. But if you have to make a significant jump to aspire to the next property there seems to be various choices on that as well - extend mortgage and sell next door property and then you are in a new price bracket.

Wishing you well with whatever you decide.

Kitchendrama1 · 14/09/2021 00:02

@Kipperandarthur

Well done OP for taking everything on the chin in the face of some harsh comments, some of which really have been uncalled for. But that seems to be the way with these types of threads,

You are now giving yourself some breathing space going forward to consider what you want to do. You’ve obviously been very successful to date and owning two properties next to each other does also give other consideration for the future.

Perhaps take this time to consider realistically what you want from this house going forward. You have lots of options that spring to mind…

Stay and enjoy your house with some upgrades
Combine the two houses you own as a selling package for that niche market looking for multi generational living - as you yourself had.
Sell the smaller property separately and yours
Lower your price and keep your rental but use equity from it
Put it back on the market February next year slightly lower
Or just re evaluate what you actually want from the future

Don’t get too down from faceless people on an anonymous forum who are all throwing in their critiques on your home. I’m sure you know that actually you are really in a very good position going forward whatever you decide. But if you have to make a significant jump to aspire to the next property there seems to be various choices on that as well - extend mortgage and sell next door property and then you are in a new price bracket.

Wishing you well with whatever you decide.

The OP asked for comments on why her house isn’t selling.

I don’t think there was anything nasty or uncalled for…. But I’m not going to read every page

Kitchendrama1 · 14/09/2021 00:04

@Happyhappyday

The house just feels pretty generic/bland. I get that it’s in a gated road or whatever but personally I would not be willing to pay anything for that. If anything it’d put me off. Ie, is it gated because the near area is dodge or because all the people who live there are snooty? Very much shopped in your price range for our house.

The kitchen is ugly & cheap and again, personally, we spend a ton of time there so I’d almost say it’s the room I care MOST about and it really lets the whole house down.

I don’t really care about being overlooked but if you can not be overlooked for the same price, I imagine thatd do it for folks.

It’s gated because it can be.

Also the kitchen wasn’t cheap when it was fitted. It’s lasted a number of decades - shows it’s not cheap.

The type is however not within today’s era so you will consider it cheap.

TheHouseILiveIn · 14/09/2021 00:08

@Kitchendrama1 there were lots of uncalled for comments. You said yourself you hadn't read every page. Does the 'fuck me, it's bland' on the very same page you posted on seem reasonable to you?

sst1234 · 14/09/2021 00:59

@OriginalLilibet

Fuck me it's bland

Your eloquence is unrivalled. Or just idiotic.

Kitchendrama1 · 14/09/2021 02:47

[quote TheHouseILiveIn]@Kitchendrama1 there were lots of uncalled for comments. You said yourself you hadn't read every page. Does the 'fuck me, it's bland' on the very same page you posted on seem reasonable to you?[/quote]
Yes it does seem reasonable.

OP stated her and hubby took lots to the tip and the house is bland.

TheHouseILiveIn · 14/09/2021 07:48

Yes it does seem reasonable

@Kitchendrama1
You just look stupid when you try to defend a statement like that. As if you would say something like that to OP's face!

Original poster

housetales · 14/09/2021 07:55

@OriginalLilibet

Fuck me it's bland

Some people on this thread need to really consider the value they are about to add BEFORE posting.

By all means say "In my opinion, it's bland" that's not offensive, that's your opinion and I'm fine with it but by adding "fuck me", you want to hurt. That's the goal of posting.

So I get up, get the kids ready for school, come here to see if there's more good ideas and recommendations (and there is) and then that. What sort of impact does that have on my day do you think?

I consider myself pretty strong and together. God forbid, someone on Mumsnet who is fragile comes on asking for help and encounters a poster like this. There are people behind every post. Please think before you spout vitriol.

OP posts:

Original poster

housetales · 14/09/2021 07:56

@TheHouseILiveIn

Yes it does seem reasonable

@Kitchendrama1
You just look stupid when you try to defend a statement like that. As if you would say something like that to OP's face!

Everyone is braver behind the keyboard. I would happily invite this person round to say it to my face. You know where I live after all.

OP posts:

Iamthewombat · 14/09/2021 07:57

You have the temerity to have a lovely, spacious, expensive house, OP, and this must be punished. Take no notice.

Yewtown · 14/09/2021 08:12

The house is beautiful but the kitchen is really disappointing. The country style units don't seem to work the ultra modern table and chairs. The cabinets look to be a yellowish cream with very old fashioned handles. A cheap fix might be to respray it and change the handles and put some art work up. The area above the ovens is crying out for something.

Kitchendrama1 · 14/09/2021 08:19

No need. By the very fact no one is viewing your home is staying your home doesn’t match the price tag.

And we know that’s not how you live…. Where the kettle?