Why hasn't this house sold?

[Wherehaveallthepopchipsgone]

Can anyone have a look and see why they think this property hasn't sold, it's been on Rightmove for a year, it's on a really popular street where things usually get snapped up, so even though it needs work you would think someone would have gone for it!

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/122354906

I work in property and have sold houses that took ages to sell because the owner hadn't found anywhere to go yet so rejected offers far in excess of valuation, or was holding out for an exceptionally high offer. This is in Scotland though where the process is fast after accepting an offer.

Well, the orange floors will need resanded throughout. Fake inglenook fireplace needs to go, do you want DGM/F moving into the annex - if not then better you don't have an annexe, heating bills are going up - imagine the gas bills!!!

• extremely niche layout. Most people wanting that much space wouldn't want it configured into those room
• tiny kitchen for overall size of property
• lot of updating needed
• not a traditional character properly

... and possibly the location? You can't tell what's immediately around it from the external photos. To be fair I don't know Chorley except for roughly where it is, so no idea whether it's desirable/ what amenities/ work opportunities exist

I don't know the area, but it is at risk of flooding from that river?

No clue of the area, but I'm amazed that hasn't flown.

I would have thought these days with young adult children still stuck at home, some separation and independence of living would be very popular. Would work well for ageing parents too, who just need an eye kept rather than medical care. Great house for multi-generational living, in either direction.

Decor not my bag, but it all looks tidy and well maintained, so could just be changed gradually.

Without work they layout in reality would be more of a 2 bed with annex. The bedroom above the garage has to go downstairs for a bathroom and bedroom 3 is in the middle of the living area.
Other houses on the street have sold within the last couple of years for £100000 less and yet been ready to move into. This one needs a new layout, kitchen, bathrooms, windows, flooring, patio....... basically getting on for another £100000. Even with a market increase I would say its worth £500000 max.

The main kitchen would be too small for me as a single person, yet the property is designed for a family. I'd want to knock through to the "small hall" to double the size, and also replace with something more to my taste. It wouldn't put me off (if the price was right) as I love a project, but would deter some people.

All that wood on the ceilings would need to come down, the kitchen needs replacing. The whole place looks tired and a bit shabby. Perhaps the owner isn't willing to look at how much needs to be done and is stuck on not reducing the price.

I'm in agreement with the above, difficult house and difficult owners most likely but I also think it would be aovely house for me personally with a lot of work.

I think there are structural issues with the roof in the attached picture. The wood looks slightly rotten on the roof then the wall looks like it has a damp issue so I would take a good hard look at that room. I would also query why the main staircase has no carpet on it, seems strange that they would pull it up when the rest of the house is fairly well presented albeit heavily dated.

It needs a lot of modernising for the money.
5 bedrooms suggests big family but there's not a lot of outdoor space.

I reckon the room above the garage doesn't fall under allowed building regs.

Personally, I think it's horrible! I'd knock that one down.

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate your opinions! My husband can't believe I've had so many replies!!

Agree re potential structural issues, could be a nightmare. Also I definitely think they are happy to hold out for that price. It seems to be a very loved home as it was designed by the owner so I'm sure that plays a big part!

There are always nutters around who think their house it worth waaay more than it is. My friend was a case in point. Her house was on the market for 350k - a bit of an optimistic price as it was totally shagged & needed a complete overhaul of everything. She wouldn't accept a penny less than 500k!! This was nuts & her house was on the market for over a year. Her thinking was that if someone's going to sink 100k+ into fixing it up, they can afford to give that money to her. After 18 months she finally sold for 250.

1. Usually "designer" houses have a premium which isn't worth it. Guessing its very overpriced.
2. No drop in price usually means awkward sellers so other buyers might be dropping out. So its selling easily but not completing.
3. The floors seem very worn in places. It might be cheap to fix but an absolute pain to do especially in main walking areas.
4. What is that stair rug hiding? That's a horrible trip hazard so it must be bad.
5. Kitchen seems way too small in general, nevermind for a 5 bed house.

Keep us updated on the viewing!

It's like an old person's bungalow with an odd little starter home stuck to the side of it. Sorry, but I can't see the appeal at all, especially at that whopping price tag (I grew up locally and would not be spending that amount of cash on that, there). Just because something was 'designed' doesn't mean the designer was any cop. If you love it, of course go for it, but it's no mystery why it's been hard to shift.

Awkward owner who won’t budge on price (one of those who knows best about everything)
problem neighbours
something that shows up on the searches or surveys that makes potential buyers pull out

I looked at it and I immediately thought "work".

Sorry NRTFT

I think the biggest issue is that it’s a very unique place.

If I was looking for a bungalow because I’m elderly or disabled, I would see almost straight away that it isn’t suitable.

If I was looking for a house then I would filter my results to just see houses and then I wouldn’t see this property.

This could be perfect for so many people but I think people would skip it when going through places like rightmove and you need to advertise on other platforms better.

The biggest positive is the fact that you can have 3 families living independently which so many people want (could potentially be turned into a B&B or other business). But you have to read the description to know this.

I would try and find a platform where you can highlight this information as this is what’s going to sell it.

It’s also a lot of money and you do have quite a large range of homes to look at in that price range.
Which is why I’d also focus on the 3 families living there/business potential which many other places wouldn’t offer.

Doubt the staircase is in use. Elderly person living downstairs only is my guess. Upright nursing home type chair in several photos. It is a very "quirky" home which can be difficult to shift.

Knowing the area well, I think it’s hugely overpriced given the layout and outside space. The kitchen is tiny for a property of that size and lots of signs they haven’t been maintaining it properly. Very dated. You could spend much less and get a bigger, better maintained property in a nicer local area. You’d be paying a premium for proximity to Astley Park which may be worth it for you but actually puts me off. It’s a busy, built up area and there are serious anti social issues not that far away in all honesty. Not to mention the noise and parking issues there would be every time there’s a major event on, from fireworks to the Chorley Flower Show!

It needs a lot of work.
The layout won't work for a lot of people.
There are nicer houses in Euxton or Buckshaw or even Coppull or Layland with as many bedrooms that are in far better condition and nicer.

The ground floor is a weird hodge-podge of rooms, 2 kitchens, one tiny. To make the space work, you’d need to do quite a lot to it. Generally it’s a bit shabby and unkempt with lots of horrible timber ceilings. Its too expensive for what it is and what needs to be done.

I like it but it does need a lot of work, floors in particular and the dated wood ceiling bits. The owners have put their stamp on it but it’s a bit quirky for a lot of people layout wise and really does need an update in lots of areas - is all a bit 90’s.

For that price, i’d want better interiors tbh.

It was designed by the owner?

I think that's the problem right there. That, or the rug on the stairs is hiding a portal into Hades itself.

It could be lovely bit needs a lot of updating. That staircase would put me off, there is something under that rug for a start, plus the stairs could be a nightmare for anyone with restricted mobility.