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Original poster

No interest whatsoever - one week

152 replies

Spokentruth · 16/03/2023 10:24

House was listed on RM and Zoopla a week ago today. Listed on website a day or so before.
I had two viewings almost immediately. Both cancelled last minute (agent had already arrived at my property).
Since then, I've had no communication with the EA.

I know it's early days and it's tough out there atm but I'm wondering why 2 people would cancel and there's been nothing else. There's nothing booked in for this weekend either.

I had 4 estate agents value the property. The one I chose put it on for the lowest starting price but it's a 'guide price' £230-240 K). He said I could do this or put it on for 'offers over' 225K ( other agents gave me 235 K asking/offers over) and 'start a bidding war' which I didn't think would happen anyway in this climate.

This is not a good start is it?

I'd prefer not to post a link on thread.

OP posts:
Africa2go · 16/03/2023 10:32

I always think in these situations its something you're not seeing about the house (because either you're used to it / don't think its an issue for you), and isn't obvious from the website / listing. Are you on a very busy road for instance, or next to something that would put people off?

If people book a viewing and then later cancel, something has come up that makes them change their mind - whether that be because they've done a drive-by, realised where exactly the house is etc.

If you don't want to put up a link, do you have a really good friend / relative who would be honest with you?

rubyslippers · 16/03/2023 10:36

There could be a number of reasons including flakey buyers and nothing to do with your property
Kerb appeal ? So important
lack of parking
price?
hard to say without a link
the market has cooled a lot recently

Kitcaterpillar · 16/03/2023 10:37

I sold a house with very little interest. It only had 3 viewings in 8 or so weeks. The sale was then extremely straightforward and for the asking price.

I'd sit tight for more than a week.

Viviennemary · 16/03/2023 10:38

I dont like guide price. And guide price between two sums is even more confusing. Offers over is annoying too. Just put a price a little over what you are prepared to accept. Because with these others folk arent sure what you actually want for the house. Contact the estate agent and ask why these
two viewers cancelled. I agree maybe theyve driven past and not liked the busy road or something else not obvious from the estate agents description

Original poster
Spokentruth · 16/03/2023 10:38

Yes Africa, I think you are right and I'd really like outside opinion. I do think there are a few things that could put people off. I have one driveway which is quite narrow but manage to get my 4 x 4 on it but neighbours have several cars and they park on the pavement pretty much all the way down the road. It's quite difficult to walk past the cars and my kids have to walk in the road to get down to school. Also the front doesn't look particulary nice. Needs a rerender (which I can't afford right now and the paint colour looks sickly.

I could send you a link via message if you'd be happy to comment honestly. I'm not precious. 😅

OP posts:
Africa2go · 16/03/2023 10:42

Yes happy to look

Original poster
Spokentruth · 16/03/2023 10:43

Kerb appeal could be better and the front pictures really aren't great tbh as he moved my recycling boxes and they appear to be the highlight of one or two pictures. Neighbours park in front of my house on a permanent basis (although no disputes) but buyers wouldn't know if the car was mine. I kept driveway free for photos.

OP posts:
RudsyFarmer · 16/03/2023 10:45

I honestly think it’s the climate. We have so many houses near me just sitting there. Most of them longer than six months, some nearly a year. I think the housing market is struggling due to high prices and inflation. People are too scared to move.

Whinge · 16/03/2023 10:47

I have one driveway which is quite narrow but manage to get my 4 x 4 on it but neighbours have several cars and they park on the pavement pretty much all the way down the road

Inconsiderate neighbours are awful, and you have my sympathy. SadUnfortunately something like that would put a lot of people off, as unlike bad decor or an untidy garden it's not something a buyer can change.

Have there been any other recent house sales nearby?

Notanotherone5 · 16/03/2023 10:50

Have you double checked that everything is right on Rightmove? Especially the address / where it is on the map? I’ve seen properties before that I’m interested in from the Rightmove address only to find out that it’s wrong!

Original poster
Spokentruth · 16/03/2023 10:50

Whinge · 16/03/2023 10:47

I have one driveway which is quite narrow but manage to get my 4 x 4 on it but neighbours have several cars and they park on the pavement pretty much all the way down the road

Inconsiderate neighbours are awful, and you have my sympathy. SadUnfortunately something like that would put a lot of people off, as unlike bad decor or an untidy garden it's not something a buyer can change.

Have there been any other recent house sales nearby?

Next door actually have 4 cars (2 parked on their driveway and two on the pavement outside the houses on a permanent basis. Boyfriend of daughter lives there too so that makes 5 cars for a household of 5 adults next door. I have 1 car and it's not 'easy' to get onto my drive. Takes quite a bit of patience!

OP posts:
Original poster
Spokentruth · 16/03/2023 10:57

Everything looks OK on rightmove concerning details.

OP posts:
RudsyFarmer · 16/03/2023 10:58

Spokentruth · 16/03/2023 10:50

Next door actually have 4 cars (2 parked on their driveway and two on the pavement outside the houses on a permanent basis. Boyfriend of daughter lives there too so that makes 5 cars for a household of 5 adults next door. I have 1 car and it's not 'easy' to get onto my drive. Takes quite a bit of patience!

Show quote history

With that in mind your first two sudden cancellations might have been drivebys. We did similar years back. Booked an appointment, got to the house and the parking situation was so ridiculous we just kept driving and rang the EA to say nope. No point wasting everyone’s time by doing a viewing.

Original poster
Spokentruth · 16/03/2023 10:59

Properties have been selling in the area. One house across the road has been up for sale since November and they changed agents a couple of months ago.

OP posts:
Original poster
Spokentruth · 16/03/2023 11:01

RudsyFarmer · 16/03/2023 10:58

With that in mind your first two sudden cancellations might have been drivebys. We did similar years back. Booked an appointment, got to the house and the parking situation was so ridiculous we just kept driving and rang the EA to say nope. No point wasting everyone’s time by doing a viewing.

Show quote history

That's what I'd assume. They may have even come to the appointment and just driven on.

OP posts:
bussteward · 16/03/2023 11:03

Post the link here and we’ll all be awful but it will help.

Original poster
Spokentruth · 16/03/2023 11:06

Bus, I'll send it to you in pm if that's OK?
I don't mind if you feedback on thread.

OP posts:
bussteward · 16/03/2023 11:09

Sure!

Original poster
Spokentruth · 16/03/2023 13:05

I've looked at listings near me and so many are being reduced so I guess it's not the only one without much interest. I'll guess a price drop is in the pipeline! thanks for your feedback Africa.

OP posts:
Mosaic123 · 16/03/2023 13:12

Double check that you have measurements in both feet and inches and meters on the floor plan of your property.

I have seen many listings with no measurements or inaccurate ones.

rainingsnoring · 16/03/2023 13:57

The chance are that it is over priced for the current market. Prices have fallen and are continuing to fall. If I were selling, especially if downsizing, I would set the price on the low side and move the transaction through as quickly as possible. I you are upsizing, try to negotiate a good reduction on your onward purchase as well as accepting a reduction on the sale.

SheliaBeCalmNow · 16/03/2023 14:07

The best thing is to post a link on the thread.

You can name change as much as you like on MN so you could have one name for the thread where you post your house details. MN now automatically keeps you signed into that username for each specific thread on the web not on the app though.

And in the past I did post a link to my own house when I was selling to get the brutal honest truth from some randoms on the internet. It was good.

Original poster
Spokentruth · 16/03/2023 14:33

True Sheila.

Link below.

OK, it's horrible and overpriced. I'm braced.🤓

www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/64136657/?search_identifier=e61d961c3604b1e8ddeaa6e39a7e5e16

OP posts:
Original poster
Spokentruth · 16/03/2023 14:34

rainingsnoring · 16/03/2023 13:57

The chance are that it is over priced for the current market. Prices have fallen and are continuing to fall. If I were selling, especially if downsizing, I would set the price on the low side and move the transaction through as quickly as possible. I you are upsizing, try to negotiate a good reduction on your onward purchase as well as accepting a reduction on the sale.

Do you think the market will stop altogether then?

Or is it best to do this before the listing goes 'stale'?

OP posts:
Original poster
Spokentruth · 16/03/2023 14:36

I've only been a here a few years as you'll see so it never was my 'dream' or 'forever' home. It needs things doing to it that I haven't been able to do. The front looks bad imo and it needs rerendering and painting at the least. But to have that done (with Building regs) is going to cost a lot of money.

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