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273 replies

Fimilo · 16/07/2023 15:26

First time poster long time lurker, sorry if not in the right place. We have put our house on the market, in Scotland the home report determines the market value. We have put it as offers over but £5000 under the market value.

House has been on the market for just over 2 weeks with not one viewing, last house in the street sold for £10,000 over ours current market value. They are very rarely available, ours is a blank canvas for someone to walk into and make their own.

At a loss as to why, unsure if we should reduce the price, change estate agents, take it off the market completely just now. So disheartening.

Any advice welcome

OP posts:
Xenia · 17/07/2023 12:16

I think it's lovely. May be it just needs a bit longer on the market or with another agent as well. (I wouldn't go for a downstairs bed room - I hadn't spotted that until I saw a post above; but plenty of people have no problems with that).

freetheunicorn1 · 17/07/2023 12:58

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz no I would have only have a spare bedroom downstairs. Depends on the age of children though. My neighbours late teens daughter has a downstairs bedroom so doesn't disturb anyone coming in come nights out.

maxi2100 · 17/07/2023 13:00

freetheunicorn1 · 16/07/2023 19:00

Can people stop saying it's not a 3 bedroom. Just because you don't like downstairs bedroom doesn't mean they don't exist.

It is not a 3 bedroom. Is the kitchen an extra bedroom or maybe the front room?

YetMoreNewBeginnings · 17/07/2023 13:15

Both within a mile of the OP - listing in that way is common for the area for that style of chalet house…

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/126945713#/?channel=RES_BUY

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/136162259#/?channel=RES_BUY

If the OP followed the advice to list as a two bed she’ll miss people who are used to that kind of property being listed in that way so they’ll assume she has one bedroom upstairs and one down.

Check out this 5 bedroom detached house for sale on Rightmove

5 bedroom detached house for sale in Middlerigg Road, Cumbernauld, Glasgow, G68 for £375,000. Marketed by Slater Hogg and Howison, Cumbernauld

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/136162259#/?channel=RES_BUY

Twiglets1 · 17/07/2023 13:27

YetMoreNewBeginnings · 17/07/2023 13:15

Both within a mile of the OP - listing in that way is common for the area for that style of chalet house…

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/126945713#/?channel=RES_BUY

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/136162259#/?channel=RES_BUY

If the OP followed the advice to list as a two bed she’ll miss people who are used to that kind of property being listed in that way so they’ll assume she has one bedroom upstairs and one down.

I’m not sure that anyone has advised her to list it as a 2 bed? We are just pointing out that SOME people especially those from out of the area will see it as 2/3 bed at best.

That could be a reason for the lack of viewings because most people would prefer a house with 3 bedrooms upstairs. Especially if they can be found for the same price in a different area.

GenieGenealogy · 17/07/2023 13:31

These are the style of properties near me. https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/86292708#/floorplan?activePlan=1&channel=RES_BUY

or https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/137361005#/floorplan?activePlan=1&channel=RES_BUY

So many have a bedroom downstairs. People use the downstairs room as a bedroom. Just because people would prefer to have bedrooms upstairs, that doesn't mean that a downstairs bedroom is not a bedroom. Of course the OP is not only going to sell her property to someone living in the same town as her, but anyone looking for a house in west central Scotland will have seen this layout of property. It's not THAT unusual and suggesting that the OP markets has house as a 2 bed because some people can't get their heads around the fact that not all bedrooms are upstairs is just madness.

Check out this 4 bedroom semi-detached house for sale on Rightmove

4 bedroom semi-detached house for sale in 62 Kilmardinny Crescent, Bearsden, G61 3NR, G61 for £475,000. Marketed by Corum, Bearsden

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/86292708#/floorplan?activePlan=1&channel=RES_BUY

GenieGenealogy · 17/07/2023 13:34

It doesn't say if freehold or leasehold- just ask agent (on Rightmove) - this puts me off as it usually means leasehold but the agents don't want to deter viewings,

No, it means leasehold does not exist in Scotland. There is no point in putting freehold as everything is freehold.

bellac11 · 17/07/2023 14:05

INeedAnotherName · 16/07/2023 23:32

After reading these posts it's clear a room downstairs being classed as a bedroom is completely normal in Scotland. Elsewhere it's either the seller or EA pulling a fast one. Also a downstairs toilet isn't a bathroom either. So that's two fast ones. I wouldn't bother viewing as I wouldn't trust the EA to do their job properly without trying to screw me over. But that's only my opinion.

Otherwise it's a nice house but is being sold in the summer holidays when everyone is broke, even before the mortgage hikes.

My parents have a chalet bungalow, south east London, so the small bedroom is downstairs.

So no, its not a Scottish thing and elsewhere people are pulling a fast one.

RhymingGuitars · 17/07/2023 14:41

GenieGenealogy · 17/07/2023 13:34

It doesn't say if freehold or leasehold- just ask agent (on Rightmove) - this puts me off as it usually means leasehold but the agents don't want to deter viewings,

No, it means leasehold does not exist in Scotland. There is no point in putting freehold as everything is freehold.

Thank you for explaining - didn't realise that 😃

MissJam · 17/07/2023 15:36

BunnyBettChetwynd · 16/07/2023 16:04

Just noticed in the last few weeks that a few have fallen through and gone back up for sale. Also ones that would have been snapped up in days are sitting on the market, still for sale weeks later

We're also seeing this here in SW England.

Also noticing this in the NE where we are hoping to buy but in the same situation as you OP, our house hasn’t had a viewing either.

VerveClique · 17/07/2023 20:06

I'm not sure about the property market locally but my observations are that this house has been quite well looked-after since it was built but that's about it. It's very bland and soulless. That different from being a blank canvas.

PPs are saying it's expensive for what it is and this is why:

The first picture isn't of the house, but the view from upstairs.

Front grass is patchy and untidy and the concrete inspection covers are horrible.

Dark uPVC isn't in vogue but it's understandable.

The hall floor tiles are dated but mainly very badly laid out.

The flow of the downstairs rooms is poor. Kitchen and dining room are totally disconnected.

The living/dining room is deathly boring. No focal point, just a blank room and some furniture.

The vertical blinds are dated and draining.

The bed looks squashed into the downstairs bedroom. It should have a nice nightstand either side at least.

The hand basin in the downstairs loo is horrible and too small to be useful.

The kitchen is small and cramped. The cupboards look to have been 'painted grey' because the style and handles aren't particularly contemporary. The cream range looks awful, really clashes with the grey, takes up lots of room and no dishwasher.

The back door is bland and down some really ordinary looking steps into the back garden.

The decking needs oiling and the fence painting at the very least, and there's not a shred of interest in the garden. The best side of the fence faces the wrong way.

The two upstairs bedrooms are small, the built in wardrobes are probably quite nice quality and useful but dated and inflexible. The child's bed is squashed into the bottom of the room (why?!). The master bedroom is meanly furnished.

The upstairs bathroom while clean and functional is ugly as anything.

Where there are carpets in the house they are worn and bland (especially the landing).

The internal doors look nice quality but not to everyone's taste.

It therefore needs to be priced accordingly.

To be top of market I would expect lovely flooring throughout, matching modern bathrooms, a stylish well-thought- through kitchen diner, a living room with character and a focal point and no artex, garden with some established plants.

That's before we get into the whole 2/3 bedroom thing.

Aside from all of that... it's absolutely not selling a lifestyle... No books, plants or tasteful objects; no texture, or nice soft furnishings, beds not nicely made, not a single nice piece of furniture, no instruments, no inviting reading nook.... again, all fine... it's just not... attractive.

... you did ask OP!!

I hope you get it sorted soon x

Iolani · 17/07/2023 23:04

I think it’s really nice and the area looks great too.
But
If you want the edge on others I’d add some pictures. Even if you just stack them against the wall in a ‘I’m just removing them look’ . Or better still hang them. Will add colour, fill the blank walls, make it feel more lived in and homely etc

JeandeServiette · 17/07/2023 23:08

juleypooly · 16/07/2023 15:47

No I'm down south. From what I've read it's always the price. But looking at other things on the market and recently sold I don't think it is. I think it's just really, really bad timing for selling! I can afford to reduce by 10k (on a 175k current asking price) which I will likely do but not further really! Your ad looks fine to me but what do I know!

The thing is, unless the nearby house sales took place before the recent interest rate hike(s), they're no longer good comparators.

Fimilo · 19/07/2023 19:51

Wow I stepped away from this chat, yes I asked for opinions but people are so nasty.

It's a 3 bedroom, it is the style of these houses. Built as 3 bedrooms what people decide to do with it is their choice.

Yes we carry food through from the kitchen to the dining, imagine that.

Water outside was from rain so not suspect.

Yes we like plain colours big deal, if it was bright colours that would be a sticking point too.

Yes it's a big cooker which I love. The picture actually doesn't do the kitchen justice it's nicer in real life.

I'm not over pricing ours and under valuing others, that other street is not a nice street. The prices are reflective of the areas, take on board ours may be valued too high given the economy etc. But we didn't ask for that price professionals did

I just can't get over how some people are on here it's mental.

Anyway thanks for the lovely advice from others appreciate it

OP posts:
Maireas · 19/07/2023 20:02

we carry food from the kitchen to the dining room imagine that
Ok, but from the floor plan it looked a bit circuitous. Not a rude question.

bellac11 · 19/07/2023 21:11

People are full of bullshit OP, they've watched too many house doctors and changing rooms and think they are interior decorator/architectural critics.

LadyLapsang · 19/07/2023 21:14

I’m in London and don’t know your town or much about the Scottish system of buying, but my thoughts were-

Likely to be overpriced as you want nearly 100k more than you paid for it in 2016 and I can’t see much that would lead me to believe it had increased by that percentage.

Does anyone live there? A complement in that it is clean and tidy - much tidier than my house, but no flowers, plants, very few pictures. There is a house on in Burnhead Road for 295K and that looks more warm and inviting to me, as does the villa on for 290K in Muirhead. I know they are more expensive;however in England you would just negotiate, but in Scotland it seems you can’t.

Looking within a few miles I can see there are new build houses so I would guess some people will be attracted to those and the developers may offer sweeteners / deals.

TheDuchessOfMN · 19/07/2023 21:16

I would quite like a downstairs bedroom for a teen!

It’s very strange that you haven’t had any viewings. It must be the time of year.

I think the interior (colours etc, not structural) generally doesn’t matter, most people want to redecorate to their own taste anyway

Maireas · 19/07/2023 21:18

I agree. Barring really strange stuff, selling is rarely about the interior. It's location and price. In this instance probably just unlucky with the market. It's a nice house, someone will want it.

strawberry2017 · 19/07/2023 21:23

The only thing I find really bizarre is that the first picture you see is of houses at the other side of your street.
Feel like that's a daft first picture. Your selling your house not someone else's!

Fimilo · 19/07/2023 22:08

strawberry2017 · 19/07/2023 21:23

The only thing I find really bizarre is that the first picture you see is of houses at the other side of your street.
Feel like that's a daft first picture. Your selling your house not someone else's!

Think the idea was to show the street and the view you would have possibly

OP posts:
Fimilo · 19/07/2023 22:10

LadyLapsang · 19/07/2023 21:14

I’m in London and don’t know your town or much about the Scottish system of buying, but my thoughts were-

Likely to be overpriced as you want nearly 100k more than you paid for it in 2016 and I can’t see much that would lead me to believe it had increased by that percentage.

Does anyone live there? A complement in that it is clean and tidy - much tidier than my house, but no flowers, plants, very few pictures. There is a house on in Burnhead Road for 295K and that looks more warm and inviting to me, as does the villa on for 290K in Muirhead. I know they are more expensive;however in England you would just negotiate, but in Scotland it seems you can’t.

Looking within a few miles I can see there are new build houses so I would guess some people will be attracted to those and the developers may offer sweeteners / deals.

We don't have pictures up as there is usually all the kids crap lying around and it felt very cluttered. We possibly went too far and just got rid of everything lol

OP posts:
Fimilo · 19/07/2023 22:11

bellac11 · 19/07/2023 21:11

People are full of bullshit OP, they've watched too many house doctors and changing rooms and think they are interior decorator/architectural critics.

Honestly man. They should be on homes under the hammer.

Let me whip 50k out to re do the house so someone else can come in and rip it all out 🙄

OP posts:
Jongleterre · 19/07/2023 22:11

Photos are a bit slap dash.

It all looks clean and ready to move in.

I don't like the kitchen tiles but that's a personal preference.

I would have the photos redone and put plain rather than patterned bedding on the beds.

Maireas · 19/07/2023 22:13

What difference do bedcovers make?!