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Problems selling house

83 replies

Scottie7 · 20/05/2022 10:22

I'm hoping for some words of wisdom or reassurance. We have had our property listed on the market for 7 days (ok, I know that's not long but bear with me) with no viewings. We have a large, 4 bed, 3 bath home, the kitchen is half the size of a tennis court and all fixtures, fittings and appliances throughout are high end and pretty new. We live in a lovely well served village (with restaurants, pubs, medical practices, schools, a range of shops and cafes and a heated outdoor lido), a few miles from a city. Our asking price is in the middle of the various appraisals from 7 different estate agents (so offers above £350,000 - valuations ranged from £340,000 to £375,000 plus). However, we live next to a rural train line (slow trains about once an hour during the day but none at night and an occasional goods train) and frankly never hear anything inside the house - we've lived here for 25 years. Now I know that's not for everyone so we asked the EAs to point that out on the listing details which they have done. According to the EAs, our online details are getting over a thousand hits per day and they've had various calls about the property - but, it turns out that they've been reinforcing the proximity to the track every time someone's phoned and then those enquirers have retracted their interest. We hold our hands up that we should have just let people get through the door first then make their own minds up and have asked the EAs to remove all info about the railink. But have we totally scuppered ourselves at the first hurdle? Should we relist with another agent or sit it out. Appreciate your thoughts please.

OP posts:
Bubbles456 · 20/05/2022 10:40

I'm shocked that you would ask your EA to highlight what could be perceived as a big drawback in the first place. You've done the right thing to remove all reference from the listing as hopefully now you might get some viewers and they can judge the train noise first hand. But it really isn't normal practice to point out flaws with your property at any stage!

Scottie7 · 20/05/2022 10:48

You're right. We were trying to be fair and upfront. Argh......

OP posts:
bilbodog · 20/05/2022 11:00

Im suprised the agent didnt warn you what would happen - unless they did and you ignored them! I would get the photos changed on line as well - maybe a different angle of the front of the house to help attract viewers.

if you dont get much interest maybe get the agent to do an open house and they will have to ring up buyers to persuade viewers to take a look.

NEVER point out any negatives - people always slag off estate agents for not telling them things - this is why they dont volunteer negative information!

senua · 20/05/2022 11:03

Don't overthink things. Some people like living next to train lines!

Where is this fabulous place that has all the amenities but cheap housing?

emmathedilemma · 20/05/2022 11:15

Where is this fabulous place that has all the amenities but cheap housing?
This!! I grew up next to a train line so it absolutely wouldn't bother me. I would take it off your listing.

SpiderinaWingMirror · 20/05/2022 11:21

Tell agent to knock the mention of train on the head. Any sensible person looks at Google earth before attending a viewing.
If serious viewers have concerns tell them they are welcome to come back when a train is passing.
We are really near a trainline. Windows shut you can't hear it. Windows open you can hear it trundling past.

Scottie7 · 20/05/2022 11:23

Near Lincoln. Wanna buy it :)

OP posts:
Scottie7 · 20/05/2022 11:32

I agree they ought to have warned us. After all, they're the professionals not us. I'm also confused as to why they'd reinforce the message on the phone to enquirers too.

OP posts:
senua · 20/05/2022 11:36

Scottie7 · 20/05/2022 11:23

Near Lincoln. Wanna buy it :)

Wrong neck of the woods for us. Shame.

Don't panic. Somebody will love it.

minuette1 · 20/05/2022 11:39

We bought a house last year that has a train station at the end of the garden, it really doesn't bother us, and we could see that on google maps when we were deciding to view or not. If it had specifically stated anything about the station in the listing or the EA made a point of mentioning it, I would have probably have been a bit suspicious and that might have put us off viewing. People will be able to see for themselves on a map where it is, not need to point out potential downside which might not even be downsides - but you are putting the idea in people's heads that they are.

In your position I would probably withdraw from the market for a few weeks then re-list with different photos.

ThereWillBeSnacks · 20/05/2022 11:40

I am gobsmacked that the EA is reinforcing the negatives! They sound...bonkers.

But FWIW, I live near to a train line and I love hearing the trains at night, it's comforting. We don't hear them at all during the day.

abigailsnan · 20/05/2022 11:46

I would ask the EA to remove the mention of the trainline from the writeup of your house let any viewers see for themselves when they view some would probably not even notice once they have fallen in love with your house which sounds delightful,if anyone does mention it you can tell them that fast growing conifers will mask any noise if they thought it was really necessary my parents did this at the bottom of their garden with great success.

Hoppinggreen · 20/05/2022 11:49

Scottie7 · 20/05/2022 10:48

You're right. We were trying to be fair and upfront. Argh......

Dd your EA advise you not to do this?
if not they are shite

Painochocolay · 20/05/2022 11:58

Train line at the bottom of the garden - acceptable.
Alley/pathway down the side of the property? Would put us off straight away.

FAQs · 20/05/2022 12:08

@Scottie7 I know when you mean because I used to live there! You might want to remove photo 16 😆 gorgeous house!

If you look in Zoopla you can see how many HOTs you’re getting, you agent might be exaggerating.

Scottie7 · 20/05/2022 12:13

Hello old neighbour I presume :) Well that gives me hope as you clearly sold. Photo 16 - I know, yea gods, what were they thinking? I've been in touch and they're going to pay for a premium listing at their own expense to get us moving. Small world 'eh?

OP posts:
FAQs · 20/05/2022 12:19

It is really lovely, I’d give it time but you should sell quickly, it’s the right side of the City and the train goes to the secondary schools in S which is why I’d moved there, left a while ago now. But lovely village!

jevoudrais · 20/05/2022 12:22

I don't think it's a big deal. It's filtering out people who will be bothered.

hannahcolobus · 20/05/2022 12:24

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Scottie7 · 20/05/2022 12:53

At no point did they advise us not to and in addition, they have taken the decision to reinforce it to interested parties.

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emmathedilemma · 20/05/2022 13:16

ah I think I found it! Nice house, particularly for the money, but i checked and we don't have an office anywhere nearby :(

CharlieLo · 20/05/2022 13:46

I've found it, gorgeous home OP!

upupstuck · 20/05/2022 14:13

I don't think mentioning it on the details is a big deal, most potential buyers will check Google maps anyway and spot the line before they arrange to view. It could potentially be the estate agents putting people off once they start reinforcing it over the phone (perhaps badly?). Or it could just be early days and yours is a slow burner. Some properties are but they get there in the end!

MrsEmmaKnightley · 20/05/2022 14:19

Take the 'next to a railway line' off.

I live next to a railway line and it's absolutely fine. It's a branch line with no goods trains. A lot of people think it's a problem, but it's nowhere near as noisy as a road.

SouperNoodle · 20/05/2022 14:22

Please send us the link to your beautiful house so we can be nosey 😂💖