Feedback on my flat please!

[orangespotatoes]

Have name changed for this!

Would love some feedback if there is anything glaringly obvious missing from our listing (I have also just noticed story is spelt wrong!) We also need to have added that our building has the EWS1 certificate already, and we still have over 980 years on our lease.

We've been on the market three weeks but have had a verbal offer accepted on an onward purchase under the condition we go under offer within the next three weeks. Appreciate it's not an easy market for flats right now so not overly optimistic! Thanks all.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/113522300#/?channel=RES_BUY

@ILoveHulas

Not RTFT

storey - floor of a building
story - tale

Do you really actually think your comment is worthwhile?

I can easily get over wall colours in a property, but some people just can't see it and you need to get them in the door. So even just in the main living area, make it white, few plants, borrow/buy a much larger mirror to hang over the dining table to reflect the light.

Absolutely include 2 photos similar to the last 2 you just posted. That high ceiling is a feature, I was surprised you didn't sell it in the ad.

The photos are just killing it. Did you take them yourself? Someone above suggested using bright white bulbs, I think you need to do this. And take them as early in the day when you get the brightest light into the apartment and watch the weather forecast for a sunny day! The wet room photos, unless they can be improved upon should be left out. Remove all personal effects from that room and try it again.

It is neat and clean and the kitchen is decent, the size seems nice, the building looks nice. And then you said:
Our development has a concierge, parking is secure, we have on-site restaurants, pubs, cafes, farmers market twice a month, plus the new Elizabeth line station is a minute walk from our building. It's actually a brilliant community. I guess if you don't know this part of London you wouldn't know all that though!

You have just sold it here, it sounds so much better, yet I am not seeing that in the ad? You need to rethink the wording or give more of a feel for the situation of the apartment. So much you could improve on, which is good news, it's all down to marketing it better. Good luck!

Looks nice to me!
Great location. Parking space too.

Definitely have some new photos.
Sitting area- I like the colour. Some won’t realise that pink is the new grey!
I would move the pine book-shelving? Out at least for the photos. It looks awful with the dark wood cabinet. Otherwise could you paint it so it blends in.
Put the toy basket behind and put the green chair at an angle could you put a cushion with white, green and pink to link it in with your sofa and those cushions which look lovely. You photos on the wall look great too.
Dining room area.
I would put the children’s chairs to the side and put the chairs two and two. Put some flowers as someone suggested or set it with crockery and cutlery. If you look at Kirstie and Phil Love it or List it the show it staged at the end. Dining room wall I would lose the small pictures and put a larger mirror to reflect the light . If not a large painting.
Kitchen - this actually looks a bit bare. I would put teapot and cups on a tray, fruit bowl. Something to link the pinks or deep reds.
Lighting - it is dark. Do you have a standard lamp, uplighter or something similar beg, borrow or buy.

Children’s room is lovely.
Study - could the piano move along a little. In the photo it looks a bit pushed in the corner which maybe is the case but you can move them take a photo move it back. People with families change furniture around all the time.

I was interrupted by a phone call but will go back. There was some wires hanging down in a room. Just they drew your eye to them instead of the room. Use an extension lead or disconnect while taking the photo.

I agree take a few photos of the area. Market day, get a couple of friends to pose sitting outside a coffee shop, parks, the river etc.
You have enjoyed living there sell the area with some photos and a short blurb.
Estate agents don’t usually take good photos and don’t see how much better it could look with something taken out. Take some yourself or pay a photography student see what you can improve.

I’d be sacking the EA. Even just in your two quickly posted photos the whole look and feel of the place is different and more appealing. They just haven’t captured anything properly from the flat itself to the development to the location.

It was the leads from the sewing machine. Just unplug and take a photo without. For some reason it draws the eye to the leads and away from the cupboards/ drawers which are lovely.

Main bedroom. Leads again and bedside chest tidy the books and put them spine showing. A little thing but just makes it look more finished.
Under the furniture you can see a plastic bag and something else. Take them out or Rolo and put out of sight.

I sold my house in Scotland in two weeks. I spent the two weeks before packing away stuff ( we were moving anyway) painting, arranging furniture and staging some. You are selling a life style in London. Believe me our house in Scotland wasn’t that nice but we needed to be there at the time. My husband worked away and when he came home he felt like he was in another house I had changed it so much in two weeks. We needed to move quickly as his father had died and his mum was disabled and needed our help.
I hope you get it sold if you have found the right house. This house was in a right state but we loved it and the village. It was great for the kids. Good luck.

I understand not wanting to put people off by listing service charge but it’s better for people to know beforehand rather than getting your hopes up and theirs by viewing it and only then discovering they wouldn’t be able to afford it. At least you know that the viewers you get in have taken service charges into account.

The photos you’ve taken are far better than the EAs. In your living room could you pull the sofa out from against the wall and either remove the rug or get a bigger one. The one that’s there is making the room look smaller and choppier. Clear away any clutter and get some plants to add texture and cosiness. All the things you say about concierge, shops, farmers market, cafes and the area need including in the brochure because it’s not just your flat they can buy but also a way of life.

Good luck with the sale. It’s a lovely flat and the area sounds great. The EAs pictures aren’t doing it justice as pp’s have said.

It really looks very dark. Would put me off. Most if the rooms look windowless..

Ok - I'm getting picky now - but if you do the suggestions on this thread it will be perfection.

In the estate agent's description is it laminate and wood laminate - so 2 diff types of flooring? Or is it all wood laminate?

I would have the study added to the list of key features.

The opening paragraph is a bit all over the place - it should also mention the large L shaped lounge diner with the double ceiling height.

What is a Hal hob?

Study - I wouldn't mention the extractor fan. If the fitted desk etc are staying then I would add to the description.

Bedroom 1 - you could mention the hanging space.

Photo 6 - I'd move the stuff from under the chests of drawers and the pile of books on the bedside table - you can replace once you have your photo.

Photo 7 - you don't need - or if you do I'd get a curtain up to screen off the clothes, as others suggested.

Photo 10 / 11 push the lining inside the clothes basket for the photo.

Photo 12 - don't have the pet bowls in the photo. What's on top of the sideboard? Is it a printer? If so why isn't it in the office?

Photo 15 - for the photo - lose the foot step - it looks like a real squish to get to the basin. - lose the bath mat

I tried not to repeat stuff which has already been said.

Fellow Londoner here and I’m shocked the estate agents haven’t made the high ceiling in the living area a selling point/ it’s quirky and would appeal to some.

For me it appears dark so as someone who loves light I wouldn’t book a viewing.

I would paint the entire flat white/ well at least anything you’ve painted in the pale pink.
Could you remove (and store) the piano short term- make that room into more of a snug style with a larger corner sofa? Hard I know when your aim is to move.

I second others advice on more lighting, mirrors and also indoor plants.

@WhoWearsShortShorts, it's a damn' sight more worthwhile than yours.

Lovely flat.

Sorry if you've said already but the windows onto the atrium - do they have any kind of curtain or blind? Can people see in?

I think that the flat will have a more limited market than a lot of other places
For me:
The windows not being external in the bedrooms would be a BIG no as I would be worried about escape in case of fire.
Plus the windows mean kids etc could look down on you while on the lounge which would be a bit weird!

Study doesn’t have a window which again would put me off from a fire point of view

Non external bedroom windows would make it hard to air out the rooms

Kitchen/diner look really really dark

I don’t like all in one living areas

Now obviously I wouldn’t buy it for the above reasons but a lot of people would also have the same issues.

You need to market it to young couples - if I was younger I would probably make the study into a well in wardrobe, bedroom and guest room upstairs abs then make the downstairs bedroom into a lounge and then have a bigger kitchen with the dining table near the window

never thought I'd see the day someone would say "great location" for a flat in Woolwich!

Have done a quick rearrange of the living area and taken a few phone snaps. Thoughts on the changes? Would have liked to get some flowers or greenery in but I'm super rushed this morning.

Also appreciate the thoughts but as stated I cannot change the ceiling heights or the fact that the bedrooms overlook the living area. It's never been an issue for us in 8 years (DH and I are 5'8" so not short!) so any comments on 'I wouldn't buy it because of low ceilings/internal windows' are extremely unhelpful. I know it won't be for everyone, but I need to appeal to the people for whom it won't matter.

Bedrooms overlooking the living room is actually quite nice tbh- kids from quite a young age have been able to potter and play independently in their room while I've been down in the kitchen cooking and I can always hear what they're up to!

@SD25

never thought I'd see the day someone would say "great location" for a flat in Woolwich!

Woolwich is actually not too bad. High street is rubbish but the market on the square is fab, great transport links. On the Arsenal we now have so much and spray street is getting a massive new redevelopment.

We're staying local, just 'upsizing' to a house (the house we've had an offer accepted on is only 10sqm bigger than our flat!)

Wow looks SO much better

The quirky and interesting layout will be an asset to some, before it just looked very bland.

I like seeing the small amount of greenery out of the window

Your pics are so much better than any of the EAs . They make it look so much lighter and nicer. I think with new pics, a bit of clearing anything distracting out of sight and a bit of greenery you’ll be fine.

OP your new pics are fab

Lovely flat
I love this area and so close to greenwich too

Very best of luck

That main room shot seeing the scenery outside is much much better!

I know that you only have a limited time frame with your verbal offer on onwards purchase, and this isn't the best time to be selling a flat with no outside space as you know, but if this all falls through this would be my suggestion.

Over the November and December period I really would paint the whole flat white. Yes pink may be the new grey but you need as much light into the whole apartment.

I would definitely have a carpenter put doors on your hanging space to create a wardrobe as it ruins the look of the room.

Invest in lamps and large mirrors to throw light into the rooms and some statement pieces where appropriate.

Personally I would also change agent as your agent is doing you no favours whatsoever and there will be others far more used to upselling The Royal Arsenal which yours simply are not.

They have made no mention of the "aspirational" value of living there, near the water, with all the fabulous amenities ... they all need to be named and some shots shown. Their photos are truly dire and even you with a phone have shown the height of the main room. Loads of their angles are just wrong. The shot of your shower room is so bad it's almost worthless.

You know your type of market and it isn't your family with two children! It's young singles or couples who want the amenities, the location near the water, the facilities etc and don't mind paying as it suits their lifestyle.

You've done tremendously well to declutter with two children in an apartment but I would still try and get more out of the children's stuff especially from the shower and put in the boot of your car if you do new photos on a sunny day and/or when you have viewings.

Fingers crossed that you can pull something out of the bag, but if not tart it all up over the Winter and make it more aspirational and get a better agent used to selling these types of historic properties.
Good luck.

Move the green chair.
Looks like a room for a marriage guidance session

Your pics are so much better! It pisses me off how crap some estate agents are at this stuff.

If you get an offer similar to the listed price, your flat would have gained 110k in value in 7 years which is decent given that it was 362k in 2014.