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Original poster

Can I just have a cry on here about my house situation please?

234 replies

Cherms · 11/07/2022 20:29

Suitable houses rarely come up in my search area (once every 5 years) and one came on. We immediately put our house up for sale (literally within one day). Two weeks later we have not had a single viewing. Not one. The forever house is having its last viewing day on Friday and then by Monday all offers need to be in. We can't offer without being sold.

I'm genuinely unbelievably upset. We spent lockdown doing our house up to be in perfect condition and yet absolutely nobody wants to buy it. And that means we will never get a house in our search area (please don't suggest changing the search area. It's not possible. We'd need to stay in our current house rather than ever move outside it)

Which means if another house comes up ever again we won't get that either and I'm absolutely miserable about that. We can't sell and rent because rental houses never come up and also it could be a decade before another house comes up. We really really want this one.

It sounds like I'm feeling melodramatic and sorry for myself but I'm completely gutted. Gutted no-one wants our lovely house and gutted we'll never be able to move. I keep getting weird rises of panic/anxiety about it all.

We're on with the agent that's selling but the forever house will sell whether to us or anyone else. They haven't given actionable feedback as it's just that one room is small. Which it is but the rest is great. And it's a lot of house for the money. No viewings. No interest. Utterly devastated at the hopeless future.

OP posts:
ouch321 · 11/07/2022 21:20

Name change and Then post the link to RM

Why2why · 11/07/2022 21:21

Everyone wants in but not your house? There must be a reason. What did the other houses similar to yours actually sold for rather than what they were listed for? Do you know how long it to for them to be sold?

user143677433 · 11/07/2022 21:23

Figure out how much of a financial hit you can take to move and then either

a) reduce your house by that much for a quick sale
or
b) add that to you offer to persuade the seller to wait for you

How much is it with to you to not be stuck in your current house for years?

MimiSunshine · 11/07/2022 21:25

Change the agent ASAP. Get your photos and marketing all redone. Or keep with that agent but have it listed with another one too, plenty of people do it.
ot also doesn’t sound like your agents are working particularly hard for you, why are they don’t getting people through the door?

Get on it tomorrow, you say it lacks kerb appeal, go and buy loads of in flower plants and put them in pots outside.
pick the best feature of your home and make sure that is your lead picture.

throw everything you’ve got at it for the next few days because what have you got to lose?

Whinge · 11/07/2022 21:26

So 3 properties have sold in the last 6 months, your area is a hidden gem everyone wants to move to, but your well decorated competitively priced house hasn't had a single viewing in 2 weeks?

OP if it's not overpriced (and I still believe that must be the case) then there must be a huge negative that's putting people off. Do you have a plyon in the garden?

Redkatagain · 11/07/2022 21:26

You might find it's overpriced but it might be that the right person just hasn't seen it yet.

I am in the process of buying a house and I fell for it because of the duvet cover on the bed in the master bedroom picture on Rightmove. Yes seriously. I'm sure the owners would be amazed that that's the reason I am buying their house.

The vibe in that photo is what made me and someone will get the vibe for your house

popcorndiva · 11/07/2022 21:26

If the school catchment is as great as you say then it's bizarre you haven't even got a viewing unless it's not suitable for a growing family.

Set the price at the price the lowest sold at.

Claudia84 · 11/07/2022 21:29

zafferana · 11/07/2022 20:38

It really isn't. It can be any number of things, including lack of off-street parking, poky, dark rooms, awkward layout, poor location, no garden, tiny or unkempt garden, ugly house, horrible decor, house needs too much work, on a busy road, and so on.

Show quote history

Lack of off street parking, awkward layout, poor location etc can all be overlooked if the price reflects lack of off street parking, awkward layout, poor location etc.
it is always the price. People will pay what it's worth and they won't look around something that is not competitively priced.

comfortablyfrumpy · 11/07/2022 21:30

It might be the listing isn't up to scratch. A few years ago I got listed with what I felt was a goodd agent, but we weren't getting g the viewings, and certainly not proceedable ones.

I changed agents and bloody hell the difference. Photos 200% better. Description that actually focused on all the plus points (original one had missed mentioning the main reasons most would want it). Got proper serious viewings straight away.

If it isnt that, then something else is putting people off. Could be price, could be something else.
.
Good luck - hope you find the answer and your dream buyer turns up 😀

Calmdown14 · 11/07/2022 21:34

Your house sounds lovely. Why is it you need to move from it?

Bad as you feel now, sometimes things are just not meant to be. Maybe in six months time with rising costs on everything you'll be looking at your OH saying 'thank god we didn't move '.

In Scotland we say "what's meant for you won't go past you".

It does sound odd that yours has had no interest though as it sounds great.

OooErr · 11/07/2022 21:35

In 6 months interest rates have been raised twice. The cost of things have started spiralling (with no indication of an end). All signs point towards a recession.

You probably think your house is worth much more than it actually is, because of all the money you spent on it but it’s a bad time to sell unfortunately. Buyers are being cautious, and even if someone did buy at asking price there’s a high chance it could get downvalued.

RollingInTheCreek · 11/07/2022 21:37

If you can post the link you will get genuine advice!
Otherwise, kindly, you need to stop house hunting. If you absolutely 100% have to be in this exact area and houses only come up once every 5 years and even then there will be competition I would just make peace with your own house. Make it as lovely as you can and then enjoy it, it sounds lovely. The odds are stacked against you.

Palavah · 11/07/2022 21:40

Name change and post the link - maybe someone here will want to buy it, it sounds great!

OooErr · 11/07/2022 21:41

RollingInTheCreek · 11/07/2022 21:37

If you can post the link you will get genuine advice!
Otherwise, kindly, you need to stop house hunting. If you absolutely 100% have to be in this exact area and houses only come up once every 5 years and even then there will be competition I would just make peace with your own house. Make it as lovely as you can and then enjoy it, it sounds lovely. The odds are stacked against you.

Also if a small garden is your biggest problem OP you’re already very lucky. I know it’s difficult to have something you want be so close, yet so far.
But… a lot of people have actual problems. Like noise, schools, etc. that affect their quality of life
A big garden is nice to have. But it’s really not absolutely necessary.

Bodgejobvendors · 11/07/2022 21:42

I’m a bit confused. It’s not clear why you have/want to move? You like your house, you like your area? Someone waiting for a once-every-five-year sale to come up isn’t what I’d call a committed mover.

I’m feeling quite unsympathetic I’m afraid. So many people genuinely are trapped because of the building safety crisis.

If your area is that great then an ugly house at the right price isn’t a problem.

TokyoSushi · 11/07/2022 21:44

Agree name change and post the link, I only say this because I did it and had 4 offers by the end of the week.

User952539 · 11/07/2022 21:52

zafferana · 11/07/2022 20:38

It really isn't. It can be any number of things, including lack of off-street parking, poky, dark rooms, awkward layout, poor location, no garden, tiny or unkempt garden, ugly house, horrible decor, house needs too much work, on a busy road, and so on.

Show quote history

But that means it’s the price. If there is a problem with a house such as a lack of off street parking or poky etc then it needs to be priced to reflect that.

if a house in a desirable area isn’t selling or getting any viewings in a busy market then unless the market is flooded with properties it’s incorrectly priced for what it offers.

Mellowyellow222 · 11/07/2022 21:57

zafferana · 11/07/2022 20:38

It really isn't. It can be any number of things, including lack of off-street parking, poky, dark rooms, awkward layout, poor location, no garden, tiny or unkempt garden, ugly house, horrible decor, house needs too much work, on a busy road, and so on.

Show quote history

But that all comes back to price. People expect more for higher priced houses. Every house has its value. People put up with pooka rooms if they pay £50k less! That’s how the housing market works

housemaus · 11/07/2022 22:00

Bridging loan? Unless you think your house is unlikely to sell in the next 12 months, this is a typical useage and you could have the money fairly sharpish if you go with a good broker.

NOTANUM · 11/07/2022 22:04

Why don’t you post a link to one of the houses that sold so quickly and say why yours is different? Mid terrace versus end, bigger back garden, attic conversion or whatever?
It sounds like you’re pretty convinced on price and decor but clearly others don’t agree if you’re not getting viewings.

StClare101 · 11/07/2022 22:05

If it’s a desirable catchment area it’s either the price or the photos or both.

whynotwhatknot · 11/07/2022 22:05

IM also not understanding why you have to move if youve never really considered it-or have i missed something

Kennykenkencat · 11/07/2022 22:08

Have you searched for your type of house on right move.

When we put ours up last year I noticed immediately that the house only showed if you put in it being 1/2mile from the place it was.

stayingpositiveifpossible · 11/07/2022 22:09

Heavens above, you are entitled to have a cry. You will be homeless in the next thirty seconds.

Any second now you will be heading to a food bank too. Cry away.

Kennykenkencat · 11/07/2022 22:10

We didn’t get a viewing until Rightmove changed the filter

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