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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:
NearlyNearlySummer · 11/07/2022 22:56

People are worried about the possibility of a housing price crash, this is becoming quite a common story. We’re looking and agents are saying that houses are taking a long time to sell, and it’s becoming a more traditional ‘buyers market’ again, with offers quite far under asking.

Are you sure that the ‘forever house’ is actually getting the interest the agent is hyping it up to having?

Neednameinspiration · 11/07/2022 22:56

Can I ask if you would class it as a first-time buyer house, but a top-end first time buyer house? I wonder if it is pushing the limit of what a normal FTB can afford and the sort of people that would be going for that kind of house usually are now more nervous in the current market and viewing things that are a bit cheaper? But because it is a FTB type property it isn't appealing to second steppers, eg who might already have children or pets etc?

marvellousmaple · 11/07/2022 23:00

I agree about the floorplan. Also a photo of the front - if it doesn't have one people will assume it is worse than it is.

ByeByeBoree · 11/07/2022 23:01

If I'm reading this right you've got a lovely house in a sought after area with great schools that you bought cheap, which has now increased substantially in value and which you now own a substantial chunk on. But you're devastated and crying because you want a bigger garden and an extension.

If this is right then yeah I do think yabu as it goes. It sounds like things aren't so bad : certainly not to the extent of being devastating.

Kimwexlerr · 11/07/2022 23:03

Don't despair OP. It took us a while to get offers. And then we got three at once!

But if you're not even getting viewings, is there a problem with the RM listing? Or the EA?

Adversity · 11/07/2022 23:08

I have seen many house I quite like over the years but it was always something surrounding the house that meant I didn’t progress. One neighbour had really noisy dogs when we had a viewing, too many gardens are overlooked, that’s an instant no. Terrible parking situations, giant leylandii, road too busy, stuff like that. Stuff like that will reduce what people are willing to pay.

Rapunzel91 · 11/07/2022 23:09

OP can you tell us the area and we can search for the house so you won’t have to share the link?

It might be that people who could previously afford a house in your price bracket are being badly hit by the current financial crisis so have to put off house move. As others have said, go with another agent and lower the price

Solonge · 11/07/2022 23:10

Do you have a decent loft space that could be converted? Asking as stating it’s an option on a description may help. I feel for you…we spent five years selling our house in France….which is not unusual there…but it was so hard when we wanted to move back to the U.K. I understand that it may well not help with your present predicament but could you not aim to make the exterior a lot prettier for the future? Whether that is having the exterior painted, covered in Boston Ivy, Wisteria and Roses or some clapboarding….having bay trees in pots…a new front door…hanging pots with flowers, a pretty covered porch…anything to make it look as good outside as inside.

MadeForThis · 11/07/2022 23:21

Even if the price is high people will normally view and make a lower offer.

There must be something putting people off. Either the house or the advert.

Suggestives · 11/07/2022 23:22

If you're desperate to generate some interest in your house, treating the RM listing like some kind of state secret is hardly going to help!

PettsWoodParadise · 11/07/2022 23:22

Are your agents being flexible? Are you helping with viewings? I tried to view something recently and the EA had no availability, all their Saturday slots were open house events, no evening viewings and during the week they had very peculiar viewing times that I couldn’t accommodate due to work. I ended up posting a note through the door of the property I wanted to view and got a viewing that way. The owners had no idea how flaky the EA was being!

Mellowyellow222 · 11/07/2022 23:24

Op I am Not sure why people are being so mean!

this is property/diy not AIBU!

it is absolutely okay to feel disappointed about not getting a house you wanted! Just because people have worse problems doesn’t mean you vent experience disappointment when you kiss out on something you really want!

I had a very small search area - it took ten years - but I got the house I wanted!

good luck!

tingalayo · 11/07/2022 23:28

What I find quite strange is putting the house on the market only when the house you want comes on the market. Surely by the time you find a buyer for your house the one you want to buy would be long gone if it's that sought after? I mean that would be the case even if your house was popular, just that's how the timing would work out.

CavernousScream · 11/07/2022 23:29

As many people have said, it’s either the price or there is an issue with the right move listing not appearing in searches.

LiesDoNotBecomeUs · 11/07/2022 23:36

The small garden and the lack of opportunity to extend/develop - the lack of curb appeal might be putting people off. You need to price to reflect these things and to provoke response.

Namechangedforthisonetoday · 11/07/2022 23:37

Home stager here :) if you want to PM me the pictures I may be able to give you a few pointers? Absolutely understand if you’d rather not though x

LadyVictoriaSponge · 11/07/2022 23:38

tingalayo · 11/07/2022 23:28

What I find quite strange is putting the house on the market only when the house you want comes on the market. Surely by the time you find a buyer for your house the one you want to buy would be long gone if it's that sought after? I mean that would be the case even if your house was popular, just that's how the timing would work out.

I only put my house on the market if there is a particular house I want, with my last house I did not need to move at all but a house I coveted came onto the market so I put my house up for sale and sold within the week. Some people only move for a particular property rather than just moving for more generalised reasons such as needing an extra bedroom.

MadeForThis · 11/07/2022 23:39

Can you get someone to call the agent and ask for a viewing. See how they are treated?

beachcitygirl · 11/07/2022 23:40

OP, I tried to view a house recently & the agent was a complete arse. Only viewings during the day during the week. Unless someone is an experienced seller they maybe wouldn't realise their agent was awful. Can you proactively do viewings at any time? Or as near to that as poss? X

methodbehindmymadness · 11/07/2022 23:42

we were in exactly same boat, wanted house so much told agent selling house we would rent house out with them, had buy to let mortgage , had dream home and sold house year later

LampLighter414 · 11/07/2022 23:51

Market is notably slower. Interest rates. And despite your protests, shave 5-10% off the asking price and you may suddenly have a handful of viewings. If the maths works and it allows you to still make a competitive offer on the prospective house then do it.

Crispynoodle · 12/07/2022 00:00

Namechangedforthisonetoday · 11/07/2022 23:37

Home stager here :) if you want to PM me the pictures I may be able to give you a few pointers? Absolutely understand if you’d rather not though x

Erm May I PM you mine? Am on hols atm but could really do with advice

Mellowyellow222 · 12/07/2022 00:36

tingalayo · 11/07/2022 23:28

What I find quite strange is putting the house on the market only when the house you want comes on the market. Surely by the time you find a buyer for your house the one you want to buy would be long gone if it's that sought after? I mean that would be the case even if your house was popular, just that's how the timing would work out.

I did exactly this and it worked.

I was fussy and had a very small search area. I viewed the house I am now in - fell in love and put my house on the market that weekend.

i Was lucky it all worked out: my house was on high demand and I had over 40 viewings - too many really. Mine was sale agreed within a week (with a. Few hiccups after that!).

yzed · 12/07/2022 01:14

The price is NOT the only reason a house might not sell!

If the area/house is so sought after, then it's quite likely that the agent has played a part. A hefty backhander to ensure that no one else is able to make a realistic offer would go a long way to discouraging the EA from sending potential buyers to look at your house. May not have even shown your details to prospective buyers.

So, my question Cherms: Have you put your house on with multiple agents?

If not, and you're going to try to make use of your precious few remaining days (if I've understood the calendar right) then do that right now. As many as possible. Ignore their requests, as well as mention of their lower rates for sole agency. YOU NEED TO SELL! So you need an agent who will bring you buyers. Best bet may be national agents, less liable to encouragement (discouragement) from local agents. But max number of agents at any "price".
Also think about the "kerb appeal" aspect. It may be idiotic, but will a couple of oleanders/bay bushes in swanky pots either side of the front door make any difference? You could ask "new" estate agents for any clues they might have.

Meanwhile, you actually asked for Can I just have a cry on here about my house situation please?
Yes, of course you can. If it's too late for any action, you can cry as much as you like. And I'm sending you Flowers and Shamrock
Still hopeful you might get your sale-offer in time!.

P205 · 12/07/2022 01:18

Can I ask what is wrong with your current house because it sounds lovely.

I just wonder if you just need to make peace with whatever flaws you see in your current home and stay there rather than chasing some idea of a "forever home".

Sorry, if this isn't helpful, but I had a family member who moved into her "dream home" and it has been a nightmare for her as a lot of the renovations weren't up to scratch and they massively over-stretched themselves financially. Another family member stayed in their pretty average home, have paid off their mortgage and they are really living a great life as they are financially secure and happy. I know it's not always like that though.