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Original poster

Need to sell property fast - part furnished or empty?

50 replies

Keithlovessmash · 07/04/2022 14:08

Hi there,

A family member sadly developed dementia while living three hours from me. They sold their home to come and buy one near me but the sale dragged on for almost a year (they were ill, wouldn’t accept help, I couldn’t get a diagnosis until crisis point was reached and they kept throwing paperwork away), and by the time they moved in, they had been in hospital for six weeks.

They were due to move into this flat with carers visiting but it was clear 24 hour care was needed so they never got to move in and they are now in a care home.

As POA I am selling the flat for them. I need to sort their finances fast as I want them to stay in the care home they are in now as they are being treated well. Self funding but we need this flat to sell as savings are dwindling even with deferred payment, and at the moment, with the proceeds they will get from the flat and the savings left it thankfully adds up to the two years fees they need to prove they have to live there.

I need it gone as well as I am on my own with it all and I’m finding it stressful.

Everything is gone apart from a few bits of big furniture but I don’t know if I should leave those to give an idea of space or just get rid of it all now?

link is here, I’m not worried about outing myself, I don’t know anyone!

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/121849214#/?channel=RES_BUY

OP posts:
Original poster
Keithlovessmash · 07/04/2022 14:10

Estate agent just keeps saying it’s up to me.

I just don’t know if it’s better to keep it in there to give an idea of space.

OP posts:
stairgates · 07/04/2022 14:11

I think they show scale so I would leave them there for now

Brightrainbow · 07/04/2022 14:14

Can you not stick it all up on fb for £5 a piece?
If I was buying I’d just see it as something I’d have to take to the tip
I’m so sorry this is happening-dementia is just the worst

Original poster
Keithlovessmash · 07/04/2022 14:15

Oh I wouldn’t leave it when it was sold.

I just don’t know if I should get rid of it now or do it when the place sells.

OP posts:
BeepBoopBop · 07/04/2022 14:19

I really would get rid of at least the black chair and the rug. If you are leaving the bed, please put a duvet & pillows on it and retake the photos.
Why has the agent left the blinds closed? I would think there was a terrible view. Open the blinds, make the bed, donate the chair and get new photos.
If your agent is unable to give you a simple piece of advice regarding the furniture, I would think about changing agent.
Apart from the two things I mentioned above, it looks a tidy little place.

Original poster
Keithlovessmash · 07/04/2022 14:20

I know it seems like a daft question too - but this whole situation and sorting out someone else’s financial affairs is death my a thousand cuts and i always seem to do the wrong thing.

I just need it sold for 120k or above.

OP posts:
Original poster
Keithlovessmash · 07/04/2022 14:25

@BeepBoopBop

I really would get rid of at least the black chair and the rug. If you are leaving the bed, please put a duvet & pillows on it and retake the photos. Why has the agent left the blinds closed? I would think there was a terrible view. Open the blinds, make the bed, donate the chair and get new photos. If your agent is unable to give you a simple piece of advice regarding the furniture, I would think about changing agent. Apart from the two things I mentioned above, it looks a tidy little place.
It’s a lovely flat.

I haven’t got the money to make the bed. His bank is dragging their heels over POA and I haven’t got a spare penny and nothing here to put on it but I do get the point. I should be able to sort something from his funds though when his bank account is sorted.

The back window in the spare bedroom and lounge looks partially onto the bin store. It’a nothing that would’ve put me off though if I was buying it, it’s got a sunny and light feel still.

Agent didn’t seem to think it would make a difference re furniture being there as she said they are always popular when they come on the market, but nothing so far with any of this has been easy so I’m not anticipating this to be either.

OP posts:
JurasicPerks · 07/04/2022 14:31

I would:
Make the bed
Remove some of the smaller stuff in the living room
Get a floor plan
Get the photos retaken - and put in a sensible order, currently it jumps from rom to room and bak again.

334bu · 07/04/2022 14:31

Put the vacuum cleaner in the cupboard, get rid of the speakers and small chest beside sofa. I might try a small table and couple of chairs to show there is room to eat and definitely dress the bed up and retake photos.

334bu · 07/04/2022 14:32

Open the blinds as well.

JurasicPerks · 07/04/2022 14:34

Just seen that you can't afford to make the bed. Could you put out a FB request for old double duvet and some pillows, and find £20 for a bed set from Asda or similar. Or frankly, 2 pillows and a bed set - you just need a cover, nothing in it.

stuntbubbles · 07/04/2022 14:34

I wouldn’t worry about moving the furniture out so long as it’s clear it’s going when it’s sold. As pp suggested I would make the bed if it’s in the photos and there for viewings – can you pick up sheets at a charity shop if funds are tight?

The only thing I’d do really is open blinds for photos, take down those shelves above the bed and fill the holes, and clear the junk in the corner in the first photo by the TV – suggests lack of storage. Carpet also looks a bit grubby. So… thinking about it, empty might be better if you can sell it all cheaply £5-10 an item on Facebook? And use that cash on some polyfilla and carpet shampoo.

Good luck!

Original poster
Keithlovessmash · 07/04/2022 14:37

Yeah, I go back and move stuff.

It was so traumatic going though all his things over six weekend (he had never set foot in that flat, everything was just moved in and left in boxes but it was still a life time of his/my deceased mums and my childhood stuff), I haven’t been able to set foot in there again, I’m not coping well so when I went there for the valuation, I wasn’t in the best frame of mind to think about staging things.

I don’t have money to add anything. I can get some bedding when his bank account is sorted, but I can’t put in a small dining table, even though it would be an excellent idea.

OP posts:
stuntbubbles · 07/04/2022 14:38

Also fix the door that’s hanging off in the kitchen, and add a floor plan. Have you had viewings and feedback yet – know it’s barely been a week.

Original poster
Keithlovessmash · 07/04/2022 14:39

@JurasicPerks

Just seen that you can't afford to make the bed. Could you put out a FB request for old double duvet and some pillows, and find £20 for a bed set from Asda or similar. Or frankly, 2 pillows and a bed set - you just need a cover, nothing in it.
Yeah, I will get just a sheet and some pillows/cases when his bank is sorted.

When I say I have nothing spare, I honestly mean it! Not a penny.

OP posts:
Original poster
Keithlovessmash · 07/04/2022 14:40

@stuntbubbles

Also fix the door that’s hanging off in the kitchen, and add a floor plan. Have you had viewings and feedback yet – know it’s barely been a week.
I know it looks like it’s hanging off. It’s not, it’s the washer/dryer. The door isn’t flush, it stands a bit proud. So at some angles it looks like it’s not on right, but it is. It’s really annoying in the photos.
OP posts:
BlooberryBiskits · 07/04/2022 14:43

Hi OP - it looks like a nice place & ready to move into

Re sheets: can you borrow a spare set from friends/family for a few weeks, no one is sleeping in them after all? Ask your hoarder-iest friend/relative

It looks move in ready, make sure it is listed as chain free

Original poster
Keithlovessmash · 07/04/2022 14:50

@BlooberryBiskits

Hi OP - it looks like a nice place & ready to move into

Re sheets: can you borrow a spare set from friends/family for a few weeks, no one is sleeping in them after all? Ask your hoarder-iest friend/relative

It looks move in ready, make sure it is listed as chain free

It is listed chain free.

I asked my MIL a while ago as it does look scruffy with not even a sheet on (only family/people I know), and she said no. I’ll ask dh to speak to her again.

It really is a nice place, it’s so horrible that he never got to live there.

I should never have approved the photos. It’s just so bloody stressful and of course, I have to deal with my dad and his dementia too, I just wasn’t thinking.

I’ve got the care home (not the home but the company who owns it), constantly asking about money it’s all a bit much sometimes. I just wanted it on the market asap.

OP posts:
LIZS · 07/04/2022 14:55

I would stage it as a minimum to show a basic use ie sofa, cupboard, rug tv, made up bed with drawers, soap and hand towel in bathroom etc. Maybe plant/flowers. Just adds a little suggestion of colour and life. Make sure the kitchen cupboard doors are closed and carpet vacuumed as those pictures currently do no favours,

Original poster
Keithlovessmash · 07/04/2022 15:00

I know that horrible red sofa doesn’t really help either.

OP posts:
stuntbubbles · 07/04/2022 15:02

@Keithlovessmash I’d be tempted to take the door off if you get the photos redone – show that the washing machine plumbing is there (and you may be able to get the buyer to buy the machine too), and stops the door looking broken. A free fix assuming you have a screwdriver!

Original poster
Keithlovessmash · 07/04/2022 15:04

[quote stuntbubbles]@Keithlovessmash I’d be tempted to take the door off if you get the photos redone – show that the washing machine plumbing is there (and you may be able to get the buyer to buy the machine too), and stops the door looking broken. A free fix assuming you have a screwdriver![/quote]
Yes that’s a good idea.

They really are just all like that in that block of flats. I’ve seen inside two neighbouring ones that the estate agent had up for rent (she showed me as I was going to rent it out at first, but we can’t do that now money wise). It’s just how they are weirdly fitted.

OP posts:
gogohm · 07/04/2022 15:05

I would leave it for now, offer it to the buyer then get rid if they don't want it. My buyer bought everything we offered

ItsSnowJokes · 07/04/2022 15:14

You need a floor plan done. So many people won't even view a place if it has no floorplan. Flats are harder to sell at the moment. Is this also a retirement block? They can take an age to sell.

You need to get the ground rent and service charges on the right move advert as well. That puts a lot of people off.

FAQs · 07/04/2022 15:22

Agree, lazy agent, no floor plan! It makes a big difference to listings.

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