I can’t sell my house.

[Zooforhouse]

Been trying to sell my house since January. Have sold it three times. First buyer pulled out as change in financial circumstances, lost us our dream house. Sold again in 4 weeks, but didn’t find an onward, buyer pulled out as found something cheaper. Third time neighbour offered then withdrew quickly as decided the garden was too small (it must have got smaller).

i don’t know what to do really. The garden is too small. That’s why I want to move. Desirable location. The house is done to a high standard. It’s just on a small plot (is in town).

Do we reduce it? Forget about it for a bit? It sold at asking all 3 times. Reducing it won’t make the garden bigger. Change of agent?

Was kind of ignoring the issue but something we want has come up and it’s getting really frustrating now.

@oakleaffy - I didn't realise that following Her Majesty's death, the Princess Royal had hit hard times and was putting her house on the market.

My comment about the numbers of books was to show the property off as though NO ONE is living in it at the moment, so that someone else can see themselves living there instead. When I see that number of books I don't think "Oh that's a sturdy bookshelf for all of my books", I look at the titles and authors of the books that are there and try to work out who is living there and why they are selling up. Properties need to be depersonalised before they go on the market.

My comment about the numbers of books was to show the property off as though NO ONE is living in it at the moment, so that someone else can see themselves living there instead.

Books are definitely not an issue! If someone has hundrers of books on built in shelves they are hardly going to remove them all!

Photos all over are and I thought agents knew this and advised.

How is it timewasters? The market is very different now than 6 months ago. If you could get a bigger better house for cheaper would you still go ahead because you want to please a seller someone you don't know.

The market is very different now than 6 months ago.

How? IMO there are fewer houses and still a lot of people wanting to move and they are being snapped up very fast, especially by buyers who got a fixed rate mortgage in July before they went up.

I wouldn’t be bothered by the size of the garden (although as others have said, more grass would be better).

What would put me off more is that there only seem to be two bedrooms that are really suitable for adult height people to use - it looks from the photos as though there’s only a small corridor in each attic room where adults can stand upright. May not be the case, but if it isn’t then better photos of these rooms might help.

I guess it depends on your area. 6 months ago properties in my area were going for way over asking price, and often sold before hitting the open market. Now there seems to be more reductions, properties are taking longer to sell and are going for around asking price or just under.

Nope it's not where I am more houses coming on and buyers are able to be more choosey. They won't just offer on anything anymore it has to be well priced. I personally would be annoyed if I had participated in a bidding war then a much cheaper better house comes on. Even with the rates I'd rather pay for something bigger rather than overpaid in a bidding war.

*The market is very different now than 6 months ago.

How? IMO there are fewer houses and still a lot of people wanting to move and they are being snapped up very fast, especially by buyers who got a fixed rate mortgage in July before they went up.*

Because Russia invaded the Ukraine in February. Back in March, I don't think many people predicted cost of living and interest rises like this. And not everyone got at fixed rate mortgage in July before they went up.

Tbh OP, if the actual house size works for your family, and the ONLY reason you’re looking to move is for a bigger garden for the DC, then I’d stay put, and not put yourself through all this angst.
Do the DC REALLY need a bigger space outside? I found that the window where I thought my DD would love being outside and spend loads of time in the garden was actually really small (having moved from a flat to a house when she was 4).

Consider whether you’d really be happy taking a substantial price drop on your house, which is clearly beautiful, just for a slightly bigger garden.

I've just seen the pictures. The internal is lovely! All really nicely done, and just the right amount of homely and modern.
The problem is, like others have said, the "garden". The thing is, you don't have a garden, you have a moderately sized patio. That wouldn't be a problem for some, but for families with young children, which is what your house is intended for, they want some grass - real grass.
Talking of grass, that tiny patch of fake grass is pretty dire. I can totally understand why you've done it, but it's really not to everyone's taste by any stretch. Personally I'd rip it out, and either put some real turf down, or quickly pop some late blooming flowers in the soil.

Off topic, but I'm amazed how expensive your area is! Where I live, you'd get the same house for £400-£450k.

I qualified why I thought the OP should reduce the price clearly.
If you don't think we are in a recession/ cost of living crisis and that prices are falling or will fall, that's fine but I disagree.

It is overpriced compared to other houses on or close to the same road. If I was buying a property there and had that much to spend, I would get the one that I can decorate to my taste, with a bigger garden. Plenty of people are happy to have a yard, but they're not going to pay more for it when a house with a garden is going for the same or less.

Honestly, think your property inside and out is lovely. Can't see any problems with the garden and think you've done a great job (love the mini climbing wall). Don't think it's that small given there's clearly been extensions to the original property (and your neighbour has similar). Garden is low maintenance, which many people want - yes, there's no grass, but let's be fair that wouldn't be a deal breaker and easy for any buyer to sort if they really wanted it. You're close to schools, and I note the Grammer, which makes your property highly desirable. If its priced correctly by the EA, then just hang on in there.

The first house I've seen on MN which is absoutely lovely. Really well presented. I think you've just been unlucky OP!

I think it's beautiful OP. The inside is lovely and looks v well maintained. I agree the outside space is the issue as for a v expensive house, you would expect more than that. That price is for an established family not first time buyers/couples. Personally I wouldn't mind having a non garden as I find ours a real hassle and hate gardening, but I agree it's off putting to a lot of families. It does depend what else people can get for that price - if they can get somewhere a bit scruffier / smaller with a proper garden, many will opt for that.

If you are desperate to sell, you can try reducing the price, if not, spend a bit of money making the garden look greener with pots etc.

I agree with the PP above. No need to panic. You have sold it three times already this year.

All.the posturing about garden/ 0hotos/ books are irrelevant. We are on our 8th property in 25 years and none of those things meant anything to me when buying.

That sort of ties in with what I was trying to say. It’s being sold as a four bed which it technically is but only because the attic has been converted. The living space isn’t enough for a four bed. It’s really only a two/three bed space wise as you’ve gone up not out.

If you don't think we are in a recession/ cost of living crisis and that prices are falling or will fall, that's fine but I disagree.

The market is still very hot in some areas @rainingsnoring

Fewer houses being put on the market, but some buyers have a fixed rate mortgage (old rates) with a time limit. So houses that are already out there are selling fast.

There are no comparable houses in the OP's road, as it's non-estate, but hers has only increased modestly in price in 5 years.

@zingally It's cheap for my area! Same house would be £1M+

Talking of grass, that tiny patch of fake grass is pretty dire. I can totally understand why you've done it, but it's really not to everyone's taste by any stretch. Personally I'd rip it out, and either put some real turf down, or quickly pop some late blooming flowers in the soil

Agreed - fake grass/ astroturf looks v unpleasant and downmarket

It’s the garden. I had the same in London similar properties with decent green garden were £1.2m. I got 940k. Reduce.

Absolutely lovely if I was in the market for a house in that area. Garden wouldn't bother us OP - we hate gardening but like a roomy house, you've just had bad luck- it's not your house

I'd change your agent and get new photos done.

I mean HOW many kitchen photos does a buyer need to see?

Also, the spec says 4 bathrooms.

This is not entirely true. Depends what 'bathroom' means!

You have 4 loos.

But there is only one main bathroom, and an en suite.

There are no comparable houses in the OP's road, as it's non-estate, but hers has only increased modestly in price in 5 years.

Not exactly comparable as the houses are all different, but certainly other 4 bedroom or more detached properties with large kitchens, better gardens, close by, less money, and also in the catchment of decent schools. The market clearly isn't hot enough there as some properties have been up for sale for a while. Where I am, there's not even time for a for sale board, properties are sold the day they go on the market.

It's a lovely house - almost looks like a show home.

The only thing I would say though is that I think the living room and garden look a bit soulless and need softening up somehow. The rug clashes with everything a bit too.

Could you buy a couple of sheepskin rugs and a couple of nice throws, and maybe one large plant - yukkas are really hardy.

For the garden I would buy a couple of large exterior plants.

All these things you can obviously take to your new home.

I live near Colchester, your house is beautiful op and in a desirable part of town but I would say maybe a little over priced? There are lots of new builds in our village for that price and cheaper and with bigger gardens. Maybe it’s that or maybe you’ve just been unlucky. Dh’s friend is an EA in our area, she says she is currently only selling properties £1 million and over, she says anything under that has been a bit slow for a while.