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Original poster

List now or wait a few weeks.....? Opinions needed on what you would think.

54 replies

Notanotherhousepost · 23/02/2023 15:12

Hi

Name changed as I don't want this to be too outing.

We are about to list our house for sale however there is a minor issue in that the garden is a building site. We had a VERY large fish pond in there which is currently just a hole in the ground filled with all sorts of crap (slabs, bits of metal etc) which is going to have more hard core poured on top and then soil and top soil.

We're being held back by the availability of our landscaper.

The agent we've chosen is keen to get the house on the market with a plan of the garden and an explanation its to be landscaped. He's concerned we might miss the March up tick in the market which normally happens.

We're a bit nervous that even if we get people in through the door, despite guarantees its being done ton the same high standard as the rest of the house, the sight of the "Hole" will put people off.

The gardener says he can't start for a couple of weeks so realistically we're looking at April before it would be much improved.

OP posts:
pizzaHeart · 24/02/2023 08:52

I agree with @Twiglets1 - the agent is worried about you going with someone else. I wouldn’t put the house on the market now in the current state. As a potential buyer I would be ok with an empty hole covered but not when it’s with rubbish.

Original poster
Notanotherhousepost · 24/02/2023 10:23

We have the hot tub already and the enclosure - we're landscaping around it. Its been there since 2016.

WE're going to empty out the hole and just have it as a covered ex pond.

The only advantage to selling sooner would ne to not have to take a temporary mortgage on the new place.

We took the plunge after weighing all the pros and cons........

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/131966117#/?channel=RES_BUY

OP posts:
ReadersD1gest · 24/02/2023 10:28

Why are you landscaping round it? Confused. Your buyers will very likely rip it out.
Why not just concentrate on shovelling that pile of rubble into a skip?

ZeldaWillTellYourFortune · 24/02/2023 10:36

And remove that black plastic.

Original poster
Notanotherhousepost · 24/02/2023 10:47

It’s only on here there is such a loathing of hot tubs.

of the buyer doesn’t want it then we can remove it but the enclosure still gives an under cover area for seating etc

OP posts:
Original poster
Notanotherhousepost · 24/02/2023 10:47

The contents in the hole wil be going when the skip arrives.

OP posts:
Sprig1 · 24/02/2023 11:11

That is a very odd price. You really should have gone for £425k or £400k (more likely) so you fall in to the Rightmove value bands and maximise the number of buyers who see your listing. I would be v suspicious of a garden plan but no garden pics.

Twiglets1 · 24/02/2023 11:15

Notanotherhousepost · 24/02/2023 10:47

It’s only on here there is such a loathing of hot tubs.

of the buyer doesn’t want it then we can remove it but the enclosure still gives an under cover area for seating etc

What is more likely, that Mumsnet is a weird anomaly - completely out of step with what ordinary people like or don’t like? Or that buying a house with a hot tub is actually a marmite thing that people generally would either really like or actively dislike?
I love hot tubs for weekends away but wouldn’t want one in my own garden. Too much maintenance and additional cost.

pisspants · 24/02/2023 11:18

I would try and find an old photo of your garden from before the work was done and add that in before the plan, so at least its size can be seen. I would also disclude a property if I couldnt see the garden as would assume it's really bad.
Also how did it get on Rightmove already if you werent sure about listing today?!!

LibertyLily · 24/02/2023 11:30

The hot tub wouldn't necessarily bother me - I know I'm probably in the minority there - as we had one ourselves for a few years and loved it.

The lack of garden pics would however as, being a keen gardener, I like to know what I'm buying. The sooner you get that crapped moved to the tip and the hole filled in the better, imho.

Back to hot tubs - if your eventual buyers don't want it, you could take it with you. We sold our house not including our similarly sized HT (it weighed a tonne (literally!) so we had specialist removers move it 300 miles to our new house on a purpose made dolly. Cost around £300 although that was back in 2011. No harm was done to the hot tub and made sense for something that cost £11k. When we sold that house we planned to move it again (200 miles that time) but our buyers begged us to include it with the house.

Original poster
Notanotherhousepost · 24/02/2023 12:59

Because it was all prepared - the estate agent was just waiting for us to say when.

OP posts:
Alvinne · 24/02/2023 13:10

To be frank, the interior design is so niche that the lack of photos of the garden won't be what limits its appeal.

ReadersD1gest · 24/02/2023 13:11

Notanotherhousepost · 24/02/2023 12:59

Because it was all prepared - the estate agent was just waiting for us to say when.

Did they really not advise you to clear the scrap heap first?

stealthninjamum · 24/02/2023 13:13

I would put off by a house that was being landscaped after it had gone on the market - like I was having to pay extra for something I didn’t want. I’d definitely not want a hot tub so would see it as a hassle to put lawn where it had been.

Grumpybutfunny · 24/02/2023 13:22

If it was our area I would go for it as for us the only thing really to do would be to replace the main bathroom to include a bath followed by some painting. I'd want to see the garden but would just arrange a viewing. Be prepared for a buyer to offer nearly asking but including the hot tub. We love ours but if buying I wouldn't pay extra for a use one it would be factored into my offer

Heronwatcher · 24/02/2023 14:14

Could you get your landscaper to draw how the garden will look? Or get someone to do a cgi pic? I would be put off by the fact that there’s no pic of the garden, I’d assume it was awful. Also on the plan you’ve posted it looks small, at a least a cgi pic would help people realise it’s not a postage stamp. Or could you add measurements in feet to the plan as well as meters?

ApolloandDaphne · 24/02/2023 14:20

I think the rubble filled pond will be the least of your issues in selling your house. I know I would be massively put off by the shiny tiles in the downstairs and tiles floors in the bedrooms. I imagine that won't appeal to many and they would need to factor in the cost of at least putting carpets in the bedroom.

RedRobyn2021 · 24/02/2023 14:38

In my experience, get it up.

Viviennemary · 24/02/2023 14:41

Get it sorted. No viewer wants to see that mess.

Original poster
Notanotherhousepost · 24/02/2023 15:03

We are getting it sorted. Hopefully the mess will be gone soon - but it will take a few weeks to landscape

OP posts:
Frosty1000 · 24/02/2023 15:22

Personally I'd clear the rubbish before your first viewing as I'd be put off by that. Sorry.

Verynice1 · 24/02/2023 15:27

I would definitely wait.

ReadersD1gest · 24/02/2023 17:52

ApolloandDaphne · 24/02/2023 14:20

I think the rubble filled pond will be the least of your issues in selling your house. I know I would be massively put off by the shiny tiles in the downstairs and tiles floors in the bedrooms. I imagine that won't appeal to many and they would need to factor in the cost of at least putting carpets in the bedroom.

I didn't want to be the one to say it but, yes to this.
There are a few barriers already, op. Why you'd add a literal rubbish tip to them beggars belief.

Sorryyoufeelthatway · 25/02/2023 09:21

I’m living for the snow tiger to be honest. I hear you OP I am in a similar situation, so keen to go to market but wanting everything to be perfect first. Argh! Good luck!

Calmdown14 · 25/02/2023 09:58

The hot tub is in keeping with the style of the house. It won't be to everyone's taste but I don't think the more traditional people will be your market given the decor.

Do you not have a before picture of the garden to add? It would be useful to see something other than the hot tub.

I do feel like it might look more appealing generally in the warmer weather. The decor is quite cold feeling which in February is more of an issue