Buying my flat was the worst mistake of my life.

[bibshamed]

6 months ago, at 22 years old, I bought a 3 bed duplex/maisonette flat in Aldershot. It was fine, I liked living there, and we made it home. Well, my 4 year relationship fell apart, and I realised I only bought it because he loved it and I wasn't happy there. I moved back with my Mum in Cambridge and realised I made the biggest mistake of my life. It's in a terrible area of Aldershot, with electrical issues.

I had 2 nightmare lodgers who eventually left and are now threatening me with small claims court for not returning their deposit, despite leaving the place in a bad condition after, constantly complained and lied about extent of repairs needed, only 2 months (smoking weed inside, not ventilating or heating it, so mould) AND running into arrears.

I put down a £50k deposit, which I saved for 5 years while living at home and studying, for that money. I have priced it so that hopefully to break even after estate agent and conveyancing fees. I don't know why I moved so far away from my family, it was a huge mistake, and I realised I was only happy living there because I was with Him. I don't know what to do I just want to cry. I don't think anyone will buy it. I paid 165k for it. I think I may have overpaid. I feel so stupid.

in this instance. was better for me to use the photos of when i lived here because i lived there and made it all nice inside, the lodgers were living there at the time hey took photos and let’s just say their lifestyle is not exactly what someone in a position to buy a home would really want to see reflected in the photos

Just make sure you get a surveyor/engineer in to double check re: load bearing if you do. You'll need to show that you have when you sell it.

i’m not trying to be judgemental but the lodgers were weed smoking trolley-stealing degenerates and used empty liquor bottles to decorate inside.

I'll just report yours then

You need to focus on what you can do to either rent it out to sensible people (i.e. not via FB marketplace!), or get it sold. Focusing on what a dodgy lodger did won't get you anywhere.

@MrsMinxy

Just of of curiosity how does a teacher with 35 years experience not understand that someone can do 3 degrees in 5 years?

Your estate agent is doing you no favors. Your flat is a really odd layout, no windows downstairs, 3rd bedroom isn't really a bedroom. You need some proper staging and better photos.
With a layout like that you really need photos that sell the space, perhaps even a 3d walk through.

So go in, clean it up, and get the EA to redo the photos! Honestly, the EA needs to earn their fee by helping you do the work to sell it.

@HotChoxs You are joking, surely? Your question made me LOL😂

The OP doesn't have 3 degrees. She has 2 - a BA and a Masters. The others are certs or diplomas - not degrees. A PGCE is a one year course. The C stands for 'certificate'.

Maybe quit trying to ask 'clever' questions that don't do you any favours.

@MrsMinxy
Yes but you can do an undergrad and 2 masters in 5 years. Why would you not know this if you're a 'teacher'?

the main problem isn’t the flat itself, i actually loved living in it and took great pride in it. it’s the fact that several tragedies occurred there and it’s too far from my family. i don’t want to sleep in the house i almost killed myself in, and i didn’t realise it at the time but i don’t want to live 3 hours away from my mother when i have severe emotional issues.

my exes presence there made it much easier to live far from family because he was my family at the time.

how can i block this person?

i mean she must be almost a pensioner and posting disparaging remarks about the education of a 20 something, that’s really unfortunate i could never imagine tearing down someone so much younger than me

It's fine, most people would think of a PGCE as a degree. Don't take it to heart, some people are feeling cold and snappy right now.

I get why you want rid of the flat, but given the state of the market, you are going to need to do everything you can to stage it to best advantage, and potentially accept making a loss. Your EA advised you very badly when they said to market it for £185k, but you can't change that now, all you can do is do everything in your power to make it attractive to buyers. Making it look more cheerful will make a difference.

Once it's sold, you can sit tight and let the dust settle before making any more big decisions.

For a start, the listing should say it's a two bed flat. Anyone who is searching for a 2 bed flat at that budget isn't going to see your listing, and that is your target market.

yeah, i haven’t at all -i’m very proud of my education and i got into the most prestigious university in the world afterwards! i also have several teaching qualifications on top of those in swimming, EFL and early years.

i find it really sad that people like this are in my profession. i’m a very accomplished young woman and i don’t need a cutting down to size from an angry baby boomer

You need to spend a day there making it presentable and get decent photos.
They are terrible. This is the biggest investment of your life. It may not be great for you but you need to put a bit of effort and love into it.
Someone else needs to be able to visualize it as their home.
It looks okay but is let down by crap lighting, poorly fitted carpets and a lack of pictures showing, well, anything. I don't care about the sofa or bed you'll be taking, I want to see the room..

Take your mum with you and shove some happy music on. You have gritted your teeth through study, apply the same to this so you can move on.

Ignoring the arseholes..

Are you living in the property at the minute? If not, empty it out of all clutter.

The carpet doesn't help, any wrinkly carpet like that, if you can't afford to replace it (and I would be loathe to do so given the cost and the fact the buyer is likely to immediately rip it up anyway) see if you can stretch it better and pull out the wrinkles so they're against the walls.

Photos, take them from in the doorway, and then from inside the room looking towards any important features (towards a window, towards a fireplace, seating area etc).

On looking at the listing my first impressions were 'scruffy outside, no parking, where the heck is the front door' so whilst you probably can't paint the outside (if you could I would!) I would take photos that make it clearer how you access it, whether there is actually parking for the property (and if not, get the agent to update the details with parking or with details of where nearest public transport is).

It's likely to appeal to someone who lets properties, so theres no point knocking down walls, tarting it up hugely, but showing off the space there IS better than you are currently will help you get the best price for it.

If your agent wont come and take decent pics, I'd ditch them and find one who will, they work for you remember!

@bibshamed i get that you feel your photos are better as lived in however people coming to view aren’t seeing that. They are seeing it as it is now and probably will get quite a shock when it’s so different from the online photos.
Also the estate agent take professional photos that can make rooms appear brighter and bigger than anyone else can do. Apologies if you are a keen photographer not meaning that as a dig! Just when I sold my first tiny flat the photos they managed to take of the tiny bathroom etc were so much better than I’d have achieved. Even if it was floorboards, no furniture and bare walls it will still sell. Imo it’s best to let those looking see a realistic representation, trust me the lack of decor won’t put the right buyers off.

Agree. If the viewers are seeing it in a very different state, they will be put off. Your target market in its current state is probably a landlord.

On looking at the listing my first impressions were 'scruffy outside, no parking, where the heck is the front door' so whilst you probably can't paint the outside (if you could I would!) I would take photos that make it clearer how you access it, whether there is actually parking for the property (and if not, get the agent to update the details with parking or with details of where nearest public transport is).

I thought the same too, just an idea but on if our local estate agents does a wee bit in the description e.g 5 things the owner loved or thinks are important. Something like that would be a good way to cleverly address some of these questions:

• I love the quirky layout and having our own front door which is secluded around the back of the building.
• We are just a 10min walk from the local train station which gets us into town in 20mins.

And so on. I’m sure someone smarter than me can word these things better and obviously you know the correct details.

Oops meant to say *one of

Just looked up an example on Rightmove just now for you.

Yes but we were renting at the time whereas the OP lived with family.

i’m a very accomplished young woman and i don’t need a cutting down to size from an angry baby boomer
but you are being ageist.