Flat not selling

[Ham94]

Hi all,
I’m trying to sell my flat. We’ve been on the market for 4 months and only had 3 viewings! Any advice or feedback on our ad?
High Street, Walton-On-Thames, KT12
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/110512439

I just sold one close to Walton for 195,000 and I spent 250,000 on it. No one is buying flats without gardens and since I bought loads of flats have gone up. The market is saturated with rentals so that wasn't an option either.

The flat looks nice, a better photo of the bedroom would be useful, it just looks small and cramped, with no storage or room to walk around, more information may help, such as parking, walk to the station (miles mean nothing to me and sound a long way, where as if it was say 15 minutes walk, it doesn't feel so bad)

A photo of the communal area may help (as some flats I viewed many years ago had horrible communal areas, I.e. Cramped and full of peoples pushchairs etc)

Otherwise I think it is a case of waiting for the right people and their is someone for every property. Good luck

Before clicking on the link I read all the “it’s so expensive” comments and then felt very confused when I saw it was only £250k. I think my view is obviously coloured by the fact that a similar property would easily go for about twice that price where I live!

OP, it’s a nice flat but very small and so will only appear to a specific segment of buyers e.g. a single FTB or perhaps an investor. I would definitely replace the opening picture and let people see the property before revealing its above a pub (if that is where it is) because that fact alone is off putting and people will skip by the listing since it isn’t even clear from the picture where the flat is positioned.

Flats are getting a bad press at the moment due to safety regs which are scaring buyers off. Does your flat require an EWS1 as if it doesn’t that could be a selling point to add in? I mentioned that very clearly when I sold my flat earlier in the year and had 15 viewings in the first week.

@Strangevipers

Oh my word I saw this one

I passed on it because we didn't want a leasehold or a ground floor

Don't panic though OP it only takes one person to love it

It's on the first floor

@Eastie77Returns

Before clicking on the link I read all the “it’s so expensive” comments and then felt very confused when I saw it was only £250k. I think my view is obviously coloured by the fact that a similar property would easily go for about twice that price where I live!

OP, it’s a nice flat but very small and so will only appear to a specific segment of buyers e.g. a single FTB or perhaps an investor. I would definitely replace the opening picture and let people see the property before revealing its above a pub (if that is where it is) because that fact alone is off putting and people will skip by the listing since it isn’t even clear from the picture where the flat is positioned.

Flats are getting a bad press at the moment due to safety regs which are scaring buyers off. Does your flat require an EWS1 as if it doesn’t that could be a selling point to add in? I mentioned that very clearly when I sold my flat earlier in the year and had 15 viewings in the first week.

Yes it’s definitely niche (to people like I was when I bought it - mid 20s, FTB, commuter etc). It’s interesting to see so many people thinking it’s above a pub as the business downstairs are a blinds shop and a beauty salon! So I’ll definitely make it clear in the new description and photos that downstairs businesses are strictly day time only. I will be googling an EWS1! I had no issues buying it 2 years ago when it was a new build, so hopefully it’s ok.

Ah yes sorry, now I can see it isn’t a pub! I think the name Wellington and shape of the building just made me think it was. I would definitely draw people’s attention to the fact that the businesses are retail daytime establishments.

@Eastie77Returns

Ah yes sorry, now I can see it isn’t a pub! I think the name Wellington and shape of the building just made me think it was. I would definitely draw people’s attention to the fact that the businesses are retail daytime establishments.

It used to be a pub called the Wellington so you’re intuition isn’t totally off But yes, will definitely include that detail in the new ad!

It is gorgeous and I would have taken your hand off for it when we were in the market for flats. Flats aren't selling at the moment, everyone wants houses and more people are wfh - but I'm sure you knew that already. The maintenance fee is absolutely fine - I paid £1k a year in a much less desirable area and for a nowhere near as nice flat. If you want to shift it sooner, you will need to lower the price - it is so high for the size, but I know it is an expensive area. That or hold tight, the right buyer will come along. Good luck!

It maybe worth making clear its not a pub atm and its not viable to be returned to a pub, if you just google The Wellington in Walton it comes up as a pub, doesn't say its closed, and says it has a bad reputation and implies its noisy.

If you put something like this former pub was converted into 12 apartments in 2018 it makes clear its not a pub and can't be put back. Or just photo one side of building so miss out the Wellington. Though the shop on the far side of the Wellington also looks like a pub sign. Only issue is articles about pub conversion say don't have a car if live here.

Had a little rejig today and added some more decorative bits! Hoping this makes the space more clear and usable

@Silkieschickens

It maybe worth making clear its not a pub atm and its not viable to be returned to a pub, if you just google The Wellington in Walton it comes up as a pub, doesn't say its closed, and says it has a bad reputation and implies its noisy.

If you put something like this former pub was converted into 12 apartments in 2018 it makes clear its not a pub and can't be put back. Or just photo one side of building so miss out the Wellington. Though the shop on the far side of the Wellington also looks like a pub sign. Only issue is articles about pub conversion say don't have a car if live here.

That’s good to know about the google search, thanks! We’ll be including info on the local parking available that we & the neighbours use!

What episode of friends is it?

(clearly the most important question of the thread)

Much better layout in your new pix imo. Beforehand I just kept thinking - but how can they see the TV?? This way makes more sense. Good luck!

Sorry, missing the point of the thread completely @Ham94 but what colour is the paint on the walls in your living area!? It's lovely and just what I've been after but I can't find anything I like.

Your flat looks lovely, I do agree your recent pics make the space look much more practical! Good luck with your sale!

The new pictures are a million times better than the estate agent ones. They show off the space, are much more homely and have no weird filter.

@heidihigh

Sorry, missing the point of the thread completely *@Ham94* but what colour is the paint on the walls in your living area!? It's lovely and just what I've been after but I can't find anything I like.

Your flat looks lovely, I do agree your recent pics make the space look much more practical! Good luck with your sale!

It’s Leyland Matt Emulsion - Elephant Breath. A very funny name! Hopefully they still do it Thank you so much!

@Simonjt

What episode of friends is it?

(clearly the most important question of the thread)

A very good question! its the one with all the jealousy

@Pinkdelight3

Much better layout in your new pix imo. Beforehand I just kept thinking - but how can they see the TV?? This way makes more sense. Good luck!

You’d be surprised!! But it definitely wasn’t obvious from the pics so I’m glad this looks better thank you!

@Whinge

The new pictures are a million times better than the estate agent ones. They show off the space, are much more homely and have no weird filter.

Thank you so much! Maybe I should take up home photography on the side

OP make sure you take your coats off the door when EA takes new photos! Are you able to eat at the breakfast bar….? It looks as if there isn’t room because the hob is too deep. If you can, make sure you get the EA to take a photo with two places laid up to eat.

Your new photo/ layout is much improved!

It's beautiful. I wouldn't change a thing. Lack of outdoor space and car parking would put me off.

If it's not selling, it's priced too high.

@Daisydoesnt

OP make sure you take your coats off the door when EA takes new photos! Are you able to eat at the breakfast bar….? It looks as if there isn’t room because the hob is too deep. If you can, make sure you get the EA to take a photo with two places laid up to eat.

Your new photo/ layout is much improved!

Oh yes we definitely will! We always tidy them for viewings too. Yes, we eat and work there, hence the stools. I’ll try to demonstrate that we do the new EA pics! Thank you

The new layout looks a lot better and more "lived in" imo. Definitely keep it for as long as it takes to sell. What was the feedback from the viewings that you have had? And do you know how that compares to other 1 bed flats that are on in Walton?

Someone asked a question about local agents and flats versus houses - Curchods are generally the best in the area for "bottom/mid range/normal people" properties (flats and houses) then the people who are looking for the detached substantial property that is unaffordable to most would likely use Hampton International.

Lack of info on the lease would make me skip past. Put how many years, ground rent and maintenance charges.

People saying “lack of parking would put me off”. Are you on another planet? This is a one bed flat in London. With a few rare exceptions, parking is not a thing.