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Original poster

Nothing to buy!

73 replies

Potaytoe5 · 05/09/2023 14:17

Following from all the threads of people struggling to sell... (I've been there!).
Does anyone else find there's nothing to buy?

What comes on the market is still last years' prices. Well priced stuff goes within a week- we missed on a couple of nice houses as we haven't sold yet when they went up.

So frustrating!! Fingers crossed more will come this month.
The only new houses added recently either were last renovated 50 years ago, or have gardens so sloped only avid fans of skiing would consider them.

Just having a rant really.

OP posts:
Original poster
Potaytoe5 · 10/09/2023 13:24

Forgot to add, that house that sold for £50k less had 4x the garden, flat open and just perfect.

OP posts:
KievLoverTwo · 10/09/2023 13:25

Potaytoe5 · 10/09/2023 13:18

Thanks @KievLoverTwo , I have done it already after DH found this function! The garden size itself wouldn't be too bad if it wasn't an absolutely ridiculous shape, with 1.5m height difference and only a tiny bit of grass for the kids slide.
But even if we put the kids slide there, they would be close to the 1.5m ditch down 😮
I think I will be very careful for the future. There is just NOTHING to even view now.

Yup. The good houses are simply not coming to market right now.

whyisitallsohard · 10/09/2023 13:32

OP, your gut is saying it’s overpriced, it means it is, for you and for other buyers. They are wasting their own time. Other buyers will find the same info and say exactly the same as you, and even in the coming months, houses will further depreciate. Lots of guzundering happening as more buyers are realising it is a buyers market and the high prices are not fair. Be confident in knowing it is a buyers market. Good luck

housethatbuiltme · 10/09/2023 13:37

whyisitallsohard · 10/09/2023 13:17

I find it incredible how disgusting some Of these houses are. People have actually been living in those conditions and state perhaps to not spend any more money on their house to rake in more after a sale. My neighbour (late 50s) told us she hasnt changed her carpets even from when they moved in. I never saw the inside of their house properly, so searched for their house on rightmove and found their old ad and the way the house looked when they bought it. They have the same carpets!!! It’s so disgusting! i asked her why she didnt do some cosmetic changes even for hygiene, and seems like she doesnt want to pay for anything on the house but is planning in selling it as high as she can. Ive never seen her check the gutters or take care of her garden etc and i think this is what this generation do.

none of these houses im seeing are worth their price esp with dirty boomers having lived in them and neglected them. Dirty carpets (even in bathrooms), seriously old wallpaper from the 80s. It’s disgusting and they want £500k+ and think people want that as a renovation project when the reno will cost a bomb. All I’ve learnt is how dirty people are and probably why covid spread so easily in the uk

What planet are you on?

This rant is not only factually wrong but ageist and racist.

Boomers tend to be very house proud and theres nothing 'unhygenic' about not changing carpet when you move in.

Also people in their 50s are mostly Gen X not Boomers (only really 59 year olds would still be Boomers).

Original poster
Potaytoe5 · 10/09/2023 14:49

I don't think all sellers over certain age neglect their houses, I think you must have had a bad experience @whyisitallsohard !

I do believe a lot of downsizers, which is unfortunately who we might be buying from, are unwilling to price realistically in the current market.
They are not in the rush and don't have to sell a lot of the time.

I don't think these people will budge much on price, I have a feeling that if they don't sell at the inflated price they will just take their house off the market. They had it on the market for a couple of months without any offers and have not reduced the price, which tells me they are not keen to sell.

OP posts:
manontroppo · 10/09/2023 15:16

We started looking for our first house in 2009 post GFC and it was hard going - very little coming on as people who didn’t have to sell just withdrew. The market round here is beginning to have the same kind of vibe - not a lot coming on the market and a lot that is coming on the market is probate related, or people going into care.

rainingsnoring · 10/09/2023 16:43

Potaytoe5 · 10/09/2023 13:21

To add the house was nice inside, well taken care of so that was not an issue.
However only a slightly smaller house (smaller kitchen, no ensuite) sold in December on that road, for £50k less!
I think it's WAY overpriced. And yes, it is 'boomers' selling, for lack of better description!

They won't get their 400K minimum figure then. Sounds as if they are totally unrealistic.
Unfortunately, you will have to wait if not suitable houses for sale at the moment and hope that your buyers are flexible. According to Property Lion, listings are around 2019 levels but it will obviously be v variable in different areas/ for different types of home. Hope the right place with a realistic seller comes up soon.

whyisitallsohard · 10/09/2023 16:48

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

housethatbuiltme · 10/09/2023 18:40

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Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

lol I was born in the 80s... try learning the basics about stuff before opening your mouth and letting the ignorance out.

DepartureLounge · 11/09/2023 16:03

manontroppo · 10/09/2023 15:16

We started looking for our first house in 2009 post GFC and it was hard going - very little coming on as people who didn’t have to sell just withdrew. The market round here is beginning to have the same kind of vibe - not a lot coming on the market and a lot that is coming on the market is probate related, or people going into care.

Agree... and unfortunately these are the sellers who are vulnerable to EAs' flannel about Modern Method of Auction being a good option as "you'll have your money in 56 days".

Berksgirl · 30/10/2023 03:57

Where are you looking?

Twiglets1 · 30/10/2023 06:29

Wow, the venom & prejudice against “boomers” by some people (who don’t even know the age range, lol).

Have you had any luck finding anything yet @Potaytoe5 ?

Original poster
Potaytoe5 · 30/10/2023 06:48

@Twiglets1 might have finally found something, but all depends if bank can give us more money 😩
Looking at what comes up on rightmove, there's barely anything at all!!
EA said it's that time of the year, but really what do they mean? There were a few new properties in September, but small trickle of new properties ever since.
It almost looks like you can only buy and sell March-May and September. It's just dead here.

OP posts:
Twiglets1 · 30/10/2023 07:07

Potaytoe5 · 30/10/2023 06:48

@Twiglets1 might have finally found something, but all depends if bank can give us more money 😩
Looking at what comes up on rightmove, there's barely anything at all!!
EA said it's that time of the year, but really what do they mean? There were a few new properties in September, but small trickle of new properties ever since.
It almost looks like you can only buy and sell March-May and September. It's just dead here.

EA always have ready made excuses for things.

Lots of people were being told “it’s the time of year” all summer as if things would magically get back to normal in September. But of course they didn’t because the market is stagnant.

Hope you can get the extra funding you need for the house you want anyway. If not, then would the sellers consider a big reduction, do you think?

ibelieveinmirrorballs · 30/10/2023 07:24

@Potaytoe5 I’ve noticed a massive drop in new things coming online in the past couple of weeks - assuming it’s people now letting go of aiming for Christmas as a completion goal - but have no real clue.

I’m on the cusp of accepting an offer on my house but mid negotiation on the house I want to buy and with other buyers circling - if that doesn’t come off there is no other house in the location I’m moving to that fits my criteria (absolutely cannot take on another renovation project - this last one broke me!) so am nervous I’ll be sat here with a great buyer for my place but nowhere to move in to.

Tryingtokeepgoing · 30/10/2023 07:32

Potaytoe5 · 05/09/2023 16:11

Even if we wanted to rent, there simply aren't any houses to rent. When there are some, there are very scarce and more expensive than our higher rate mortgage will be!
Some of the doer uppers market for £330. Same houses but done are £50k more. To even do just the kitchen / bathroom and rewire it would cost more. Not to mention any new carpets, painting etc., plus the obvious inconvenience and lack of tradespeople.
Honestly no idea what the EA are thinking pricing houses like that!

It’s been the case for years that houses needing work are never priced at a level that, after the costs of the work, are competitive with houses that have been done. Or at least, that’s been the case in areas we’ve bought. But, when prices are rising that all gets lost as even when done up it’ll be worth more than the renovation cost as the market moves up anyway.

I think it’s best to just look at the cost of renovation as the price of getting the house exactly how you’d like it - it’s seldom that even recently renovated properties are exactly to your taste. I moved 18 months after my husband died, to a recently renovated property as I just didn’t have the energy to think about a renovation by myself at that time. Even so, in the last 12 months I’ve changed flooring, doors, one bathroom and had most of it redecorated. None of which wil have added value, but has made it ‘mine’

Chickpea17 · 30/10/2023 07:42

whyisitallsohard · 10/09/2023 13:17

I find it incredible how disgusting some Of these houses are. People have actually been living in those conditions and state perhaps to not spend any more money on their house to rake in more after a sale. My neighbour (late 50s) told us she hasnt changed her carpets even from when they moved in. I never saw the inside of their house properly, so searched for their house on rightmove and found their old ad and the way the house looked when they bought it. They have the same carpets!!! It’s so disgusting! i asked her why she didnt do some cosmetic changes even for hygiene, and seems like she doesnt want to pay for anything on the house but is planning in selling it as high as she can. Ive never seen her check the gutters or take care of her garden etc and i think this is what this generation do.

none of these houses im seeing are worth their price esp with dirty boomers having lived in them and neglected them. Dirty carpets (even in bathrooms), seriously old wallpaper from the 80s. It’s disgusting and they want £500k+ and think people want that as a renovation project when the reno will cost a bomb. All I’ve learnt is how dirty people are and probably why covid spread so easily in the uk

Think you need to take a chill pill and have a good word with yourself

Original poster
Potaytoe5 · 30/10/2023 07:49

@Twiglets1 Indeed it looks like the market is just crap right now.
I doubt the sellers would reduce much, the house has been on the market for a year without any reductions. As I've frequently encountered, it's a downsizer who loses nothing on trying to 'wait it out'. Most houses we've viewed are like that :(

A new house came on a market last week, just perfect, within our price range. I immediately called up to book a viewing, only to be told the vendor decided to take it off the market!! I explained we are very keen and was told there's a cash buyer who wanted it first anyway!! Infuriating.

OP posts:
Original poster
Potaytoe5 · 30/10/2023 07:52

@Tryingtokeepgoing having gone through a reno project BEFORE having children nearly broke us. Now with two small kids there is no way I'd sign myself up for half as much as we had done. It is impossible to find any workmen in my area.
From experience, there is always some extra work to be found in neglected houses too.

I am sure doer uppers have some place on the market, I just know I'd rather avoid one.

OP posts:
Twiglets1 · 30/10/2023 08:00

It’s frustrating when sellers aren’t very motivated @Potaytoe5 and there seem a lot of those around at the moment. From their point of view I guess it’s logical not to sell at a reduced price if they are downsizing (different if you’re trading up).
Still, after a year on the market they must have some pressing reason to want to sell, so you never know, they may be willing to show some flexibility if it comes to that or lose the sale.

Porkepic · 30/10/2023 09:58

Market is absolutely dire, low in volume and quality with grossly overpriced properties sitting there. The odd decent house priced to sell goes within days.

KievLoverTwo · 30/10/2023 11:21

The numbers coming to market are definitely trickling down. People don't think they stand a chance of moving before Xmas so just don't bother til January, I would imagine.

On a more positive note, people listing between now and Xmas are likely to be far more motivated sellers than those that came before them.

I have seen two or three in the last fortnight who are pricing their houses much more closely to either just pure inflation (with no covid boom) or not far off what they paid for them.

I also think it's worth calling all the EAs and asking to be put on their call lists for sales that fall through, to get details before they list on Rightmove, etc.

I really don't think they all hit Rightmove. I did a count on three areas I am looking at - a complete lack of photos on 40% of 'solds' on Rightmove has me convinced they are selling by word of mouth and phone calls from EAs. I think it's those that are NOT the easiest to sell that hit RM.

Berksgirl · 30/10/2023 11:28

If you are looking to buy in Mortimer Berkshire area, let me know. Will be going on market next month.

Twiglets1 · 30/10/2023 11:42

I don't know about that @KievLoverTwo I think the vast majority do go on Rightmove.

Not all houses listed as sold on RM have photos though, no idea why but I've noticed it even with a property we sold in 2022 that definitely was on RM with photos for months. The photos have now disappeared and we never asked them to be.

ScroogeMcDuckling · 30/10/2023 11:44

Potaytoe5 · 30/10/2023 06:48

@Twiglets1 might have finally found something, but all depends if bank can give us more money 😩
Looking at what comes up on rightmove, there's barely anything at all!!
EA said it's that time of the year, but really what do they mean? There were a few new properties in September, but small trickle of new properties ever since.
It almost looks like you can only buy and sell March-May and September. It's just dead here.

It’s less than two months to Christmas, people want to relax and enjoy Christmas.

Also with the clocks going back, you do have the autumn spring clean, clearing out cupboards, cleaning them, giving stuff away on Freegle, putting hubbys stuff into piles for him to go thru - keep or Freegle. Any odd jobs that need doing to seem to get done.

After Christmas the house just needs the decorations down, a good top to bottoming and get the estate agents in and hopefully be in your new home by May Day.