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Original poster

Do I need to drop price again and when?

137 replies

crackthegg · 12/04/2023 16:02

House went on 5 weeks ago. Several cancellations. Handful of viewings and no offers.

Dropped 10K from 230K last week.

Lots of houses being reduced in the area.
House over the road was dropped from 215K to 209K and gas say there since November.
Mine has an extension and is quite a lot bigger.
Should I drop again and by how much?

Will it look desperate if I drop again in the next week or so?

OP posts:
Original poster
crackthegg · 12/04/2023 17:26

VeggieSalsa · 12/04/2023 17:14

Change from “Guide price” to “Offers in the region of” or similar. I assume every guide price is an auction property and scroll straight past.

I'm thinking maybe offers over 215K might work better.

I really don't have the funds to do any major work anyway so I'd have to take it off the market for another year or two for that to work.

OP posts:
Puffthemagiclizard · 12/04/2023 17:44

Is it non standard construction? It looks like it might be, if its not highlight that on the write up.

The thing is you aren't actually semi detached, as you're joined to next door, so you rule out anyone wanting side access. If there is any other access via q back lane or suchlike highlight that.

I'm not sure about your agent, I've never heard of them and I'm local, could it be worth trying one of the better known ones?

Loads of Newport houses are selling to Bristol people, but as your local primary school is pretty dire that may not be so appealing.

Your photos are fine, I'd just drop the price.

mrsbitaly · 12/04/2023 17:47

It is a nice house, I would put trampoline away so you can get a real feel for the space.

Original poster
crackthegg · 12/04/2023 17:48

Puffthemagiclizard · 12/04/2023 17:44

Is it non standard construction? It looks like it might be, if its not highlight that on the write up.

The thing is you aren't actually semi detached, as you're joined to next door, so you rule out anyone wanting side access. If there is any other access via q back lane or suchlike highlight that.

I'm not sure about your agent, I've never heard of them and I'm local, could it be worth trying one of the better known ones?

Loads of Newport houses are selling to Bristol people, but as your local primary school is pretty dire that may not be so appealing.

Your photos are fine, I'd just drop the price.

No, it's definately standard construction.

OP posts:
Postapocalypticcowgirl · 12/04/2023 17:49

Loads of Newport houses are selling to Bristol people, but as your local primary school is pretty dire that may not be so appealing.

This could be key.

If people are booking viewings and then not turning up, I don't think it's the photos. Because if the photos/presentation are to blame, then they wouldn't bother viewing at all.

Most likely it's either a communication issue with your estate agent, or they are googling the area etc and getting put off.

If people cancel viewings, is the estate agent finding out why?

Original poster
crackthegg · 12/04/2023 17:51

Postapocalypticcowgirl · 12/04/2023 17:49

Loads of Newport houses are selling to Bristol people, but as your local primary school is pretty dire that may not be so appealing.

This could be key.

If people are booking viewings and then not turning up, I don't think it's the photos. Because if the photos/presentation are to blame, then they wouldn't bother viewing at all.

Most likely it's either a communication issue with your estate agent, or they are googling the area etc and getting put off.

If people cancel viewings, is the estate agent finding out why?

I need to ask him.

The area is not a good one. This road is quite nice but the estate further down is pretty rough.

OP posts:
MotorwayDiva · 12/04/2023 17:59

The kitchen needs so colour, a few plants or a vase of flowers.
The downstairs looks like everything is against the walls, I would stage the dining table a bit further from the wall, with flowers on the table to (reuse the kitchen ones)
I'd leave the trampoline as it shows size of the garden well, but move the seating to a better area, ie not at the side.
The outside is uninspiring, but if you have pots now maybe looks better.
Looks like you have a nice view from bedroom, can you make more of that?
Overall its clean and minimal enough in my opinion

Tromso · 12/04/2023 18:03

Namechange1345677 · 12/04/2023 16:36

Personally I feel it looks unloved. Cold looking decor with wasted space. The kitchen would put me off too - odd looking handles for my tastes!

The garden is very off putting - remove the trampoline and the fakegrass is badly laid (i personally hate the stuff). And I agree the yellow is very odd.

Also why Is the sky photoshoped??? Would make me think what else has been done?

The sky is photoshopped by a lot of estate agents, especially when the photos are taken in the autumn/winter. That alone wouldn't put me off, but I do find it amusing that they don't think we'll notice.

I personally agree that the photos haven't been done well, and don't show the property in its best light. It's not a property I would personally want to view because the configuration wouldn't work for me, however, I don't think there's anything especially wrong with the house; it's important for people to be able to view it as a blank canvas, and OP's use of a lot of grey does help with that.

Good luck!

CellophaneFlower · 12/04/2023 18:06

Postapocalypticcowgirl · 12/04/2023 17:16

I really disagree about the kitchen BTW- as someone who's looking to buy at the 200k(ish) price range, that kitchen is absolutely fine- I thought it looked nice until I realised quite how small it is, and you can't make it bigger!

I'd do the bathroom over the kitchen - it just looks a bit tired.

But honestly for the disruption/mess/delay, you'd be better off just dropping the price by the cost of a new kitchen bathroom (or at least another 5k). Have you thought about doing offers over £215?

You'd definitely be able to make the kitchen bigger. Knocking through to the office would be the obvious way. It would take money, but the potential is there, which is always the main thing for me.

The only thing that really puts me off that you could do something about without spending, is the furniture pushed against the walls. I know this has been mentioned on here and your previous thread, but I think it would make it much more homely looking.

Original poster
crackthegg · 12/04/2023 18:08

Tromso · 12/04/2023 18:03

The sky is photoshopped by a lot of estate agents, especially when the photos are taken in the autumn/winter. That alone wouldn't put me off, but I do find it amusing that they don't think we'll notice.

I personally agree that the photos haven't been done well, and don't show the property in its best light. It's not a property I would personally want to view because the configuration wouldn't work for me, however, I don't think there's anything especially wrong with the house; it's important for people to be able to view it as a blank canvas, and OP's use of a lot of grey does help with that.

Good luck!

Show quote history

Thank you.

I don't like fake grass either but it's paved slabs underneath and it's been there since we came.

I was born and bred out in the sticks where we had proper grass. 😁

OP posts:
isthisit83 · 12/04/2023 18:10

I think people on Mumsnet are incredibly harsh about this stuff. The house looks totally fine to me. It's a slow market in most areas. What does your agent think? What else is available in the area?

Original poster
crackthegg · 12/04/2023 18:17

isthisit83 · 12/04/2023 18:10

I think people on Mumsnet are incredibly harsh about this stuff. The house looks totally fine to me. It's a slow market in most areas. What does your agent think? What else is available in the area?

Yes, it's a good job I'm thick skinned. 😁

OP posts:
Salonselectives · 12/04/2023 18:24

Your front door has a sad face.

Original poster
crackthegg · 12/04/2023 18:28

Salonselectives · 12/04/2023 18:24

Your front door has a sad face.

Does it?!

I'm going to check. 🤔

OP posts:
CellophaneFlower · 12/04/2023 18:29

Salonselectives · 12/04/2023 18:24

Your front door has a sad face.

Maybe it's been reading this thread 😂

Original poster
crackthegg · 12/04/2023 18:32

CellophaneFlower · 12/04/2023 18:29

Maybe it's been reading this thread 😂

Show quote history

It should be weeping.

OP posts:
Salonselectives · 12/04/2023 18:37

Sorry, that wasn't very helpful.

All the furniture seems to be moved up to the internal walls, like you're about to have a massive party. Can you zone the rooms up a bit?

Personally, I'd move the tumble dryer into the utility and turn the sitting room into the office. I'd move the sofa in the living room 180 degrees to make that room feel a bit more cosy or put it against the wall opposite the tv. I'd change the current office to merge with the dining as a family living/dining area.

In the rear garden, I'd remove the trampoline.

CellophaneFlower · 12/04/2023 18:38

Also, regarding the cancelled viewings, this could be down to the estate agents, unscrupulous swines that they are. They have been known to invent viewings, to make you feel things are happening and also, sometimes they lay it on thick to people viewing other properties nearby to view yours (who may cancel hastily later). This has certainly happened to me whilst I've been viewing properties.

drpet49 · 12/04/2023 18:42

ApolloandDaphne · 12/04/2023 16:18

I find the whole downstairs layout odd and would have to bear in mind the cost of getting it into a configuration I could live with.

I agree. The kitchen isn’t good at all, the units look so cheap and unappealing.

Original poster
crackthegg · 12/04/2023 18:42

CellophaneFlower · 12/04/2023 18:38

Also, regarding the cancelled viewings, this could be down to the estate agents, unscrupulous swines that they are. They have been known to invent viewings, to make you feel things are happening and also, sometimes they lay it on thick to people viewing other properties nearby to view yours (who may cancel hastily later). This has certainly happened to me whilst I've been viewing properties.

Very true. I had thought they might be doing this.

If they are, I hope someone does it to them one day. Life is stressful enough.

OP posts:
PriamFarrl · 12/04/2023 18:43

Have you posted this before?

Original poster
crackthegg · 12/04/2023 18:45

Yes, a few weeks ago but someone asked me to post a link up thread.
Have had lots of advice and opinions which is very helpful.

At least I know nobody on Mumsnet wants to buy it. 😜

OP posts:
pompei8309 · 12/04/2023 18:45

This reply has been deleted

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Why do you need patio doors to get out onto your drive? that’s very weird and totally put me off immediately and it’s the first picture as well.
Looks clean and tidy but in desperate need of upgrading, decor, rounded arches etc it’s old

anyolddinosaur · 12/04/2023 18:45

The garden is not large and taking the trampoline down would make it look bigger.

Some people dont like yellow houses. If it's not really that yellow then get that photo replaced.

The parking on the road would put me off a bit, nothing you can do about that.

Atticus999 · 12/04/2023 18:49

I think the pics are fine ! Looks light airy and tidy. No obvious huge jobs that need doing. Astroturf isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but it’s clean and tidy and can be dealt with by buyer. The pics aren’t that bad honestly !!