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Original poster

No viewings - please tell me what I need to change in house!

738 replies

Whywontitsell · 30/01/2024 10:13

Desperately trying to sell a house that we've never lived in and is nowhere near where we're currently living. We move around with DH's job and have accommodation provided with that, so we bought the house 6 years ago to keep us on the ladder.

We've already dropped the price from £500k to £490k to now £475k, but there's just zero interest. It's definitely not looking its best having had (good) tenants in for the past few years - some dodgy curtains left up and some hanging off the track! So the pics definitely aren't selling it well.

We live about a 3 hour drive away but I have a week off soon. If I go through there to do some work - what would I be best to focus on? The showhome pics make it look so nice - I presume you can't add a link to these on the Rightmove ad? An empty house is just so unappealing...

I would really appreciate any advice...

House:
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/143709212#/?channel=RES_BUY

No viewings - please tell me what I need to change in house!
OP posts:
Thread gallery
38
BasiliskStare · 01/02/2024 17:32

I would get It cleaned top to bottom very thoroughly including carpets - which although may have to be ripped out the house will smell fresh and more welcoming

I am not sure of the point of the AI staging because when someone walks in they see what is actually there . Surely.

I would clean it to its bare bones and then make sure you are priced properly ( comparative to similar properties - you may or may not be overpriced - don't know the area ) and then get the EA to do an open day & perhaps say "open to offers." )

I am not sure I would spend money on physical staging.

DFil's house which was in such a worse condition than yours we had cleaned and emptied. 2 things it had going for it - in the catchment of the best school in the area and there was (albeit lapsed ) PP for an extension. Sold for abut 6 - 7 % under asking price. But they did do an open day.

shewasrooting · 01/02/2024 17:33

you bought for £376k 8 years ago, in a very strong property market and presumably in much better condition

Gettingbysomehow · 01/02/2024 17:35

I'd never buy a house on the main road even if it's cheap because of pets and kids. That very much limits the market.
Round here houses on main roads are MUCH cheaper that similar houses not on the main road.

shewasrooting · 01/02/2024 17:36

Gettingbysomehow · 01/02/2024 17:35

I'd never buy a house on the main road even if it's cheap because of pets and kids. That very much limits the market.
Round here houses on main roads are MUCH cheaper that similar houses not on the main road.

a main road? that isn’t a main road. look at the street view.

Gettingbysomehow · 01/02/2024 17:38

Sorry I'm looking at the wrong thing on the map. Street view shows a whole load of building going on on that estate opposite the house and new homes going up.
Nobody wants to live facing building work, the noise and the dust is awful.
Can you wait until the new homes have been built? You might get a lot more money then.

Toddlerteaplease · 01/02/2024 17:41

I like it. I'd buy it as it is.

shewasrooting · 01/02/2024 17:43

Toddlerteaplease · 01/02/2024 17:41

I like it. I'd buy it as it is.

well i’d buy it as is if it was selling for a song!

price is the biggest consideration

mathanxiety · 01/02/2024 17:44

@BasiliskStare - virtual staging helps people envision their own furniture in the rooms. It also helps to differentiate the rooms. It can make a house look attractive in photos too, depending on the skill and taste of the person doing the photos. An attractive online presentation is why people clear out clutter, clean, and tidy up their gardens before getting the photos done. It's a case of putting your best foot forward.

Everyone knows any given house for sale doesn't look pristine in day to day life - there will be toys and stray mugs and coats slung over kitchen chairs, dishes in the sink, etc. But the appearance of a house that is clean and cared for, as conveyed in photos, is attractive, and the point of photos is to generate interest.

SoupDragon · 01/02/2024 17:45

Gettingbysomehow · 01/02/2024 17:38

Sorry I'm looking at the wrong thing on the map. Street view shows a whole load of building going on on that estate opposite the house and new homes going up.
Nobody wants to live facing building work, the noise and the dust is awful.
Can you wait until the new homes have been built? You might get a lot more money then.

They have been built! Street View is very out of date.

shewasrooting · 01/02/2024 17:45

i think staging may work for some

for me? absolutely not.

shewasrooting · 01/02/2024 17:54

oh, i’ll suppose i’ll never know! 😂

shewasrooting · 01/02/2024 17:54

wrong thread!

justrecognisedmyneighbouronhere · 01/02/2024 18:13

Personally I'd rip the carpets out and get the whole o,ace redecorated, new carpets, sort the back garden and then drop the price. The only reason a house doesn't sell is the price.

bemusedmoose · 01/02/2024 18:18

Honestly I see nothing wrong with it!! If I was looking in that area I would snap it up.

Most people that buy will want to decorate it their way anyway so new carpets will just be a waste. Honestly fresh lick of paint and nothing more.

I bought mine while it was empty. It was all white with wooden floor. Zero personality but a completely blank canvas.

Original poster
Whywontitsell · 01/02/2024 18:57

Gettingbysomehow · 01/02/2024 17:38

Sorry I'm looking at the wrong thing on the map. Street view shows a whole load of building going on on that estate opposite the house and new homes going up.
Nobody wants to live facing building work, the noise and the dust is awful.
Can you wait until the new homes have been built? You might get a lot more money then.

Work has been finished for at least a few years - Google just hasn't updated.

OP posts:
Original poster
Whywontitsell · 01/02/2024 19:00

shewasrooting · 01/02/2024 17:33

you bought for £376k 8 years ago, in a very strong property market and presumably in much better condition

Nope - not mine either 😂.

OP posts:
BasiliskStare · 01/02/2024 19:14

@mathanxiety - I do get your point , but an AI representation might lead to a bit of a disappointment when you see the actual house . But I understand what you are saying. Personally , I would rather see the rooms , but that is one opinion. What I would ask for is another viewing with a tape measure. BUT everyone is different.

DPILs house we absolutely cleared out and cleaned so there was no clutter etc - garden tidied - what you saw is what you were getting . This was a probate sale so little point other than getting is clean and fresh as possible and absolutely nothing to do in the garden ( other than purchasers' taste )

MairifaeInsch · 01/02/2024 20:31

Carpet everywhere I think is a big turn off these days. People prefer wood or good quality laminate. Sorry that’s not helpful in the circumstances. Perhaps need to reduce price further to allow for renovation of floors.

Mirabai · 01/02/2024 20:58

Laminate is awful!

NewYearResolutions · 01/02/2024 22:42

@Mirabai I prefer LVT over carpets. It’s all personal taste so a clean carpet is fine to selling a home.

barkymcbark · 01/02/2024 22:52

I don't see why you've not had any viewings, the only thing I can think of is the price.

When we were looking at houses my dh can't imagine anything other than what's in front of him. I remember going into a house that had so much clutter it looked awful, but underneath it was lovely and big with great rooms and lay outs, but he simply couldn't see it. A lot of people are like it, so maybe 'stage' it.

Original poster
Whywontitsell · 01/02/2024 22:59

I'll see what the carpets look like when I visit and after a clean. I'm loathe to put new ones down, as I've viewed a couple of houses where they've clearly put down a cheap neutral carpet to make it look nice to sell, and all it's done is put me off: I've felt like I'd be paying for something that I'd want to rip straight up, and it's just so wasteful.

What about a really nice big rug for the sitting room and kitchen, or would people just think I was trying to cover something up?

OP posts:
lljkk · 01/02/2024 23:00

It looks great to me, OP. Lots of potential.
I've no idea if it's worth that price, only that I couldn't afford it.

ToBeOrNotToBee · 01/02/2024 23:32

Give it a spring clean, remove the curtains and get some decent photos. The ones displayed were awful and didn't really show anything apart from the carpet and ceilings.

CrashyTime · 01/02/2024 23:47

shewasrooting · 01/02/2024 17:33

you bought for £376k 8 years ago, in a very strong property market and presumably in much better condition

There you go, that is the problem, interest rates were rock bottom then, you need to start at around 400k to have any chance in this market IMO. The person earlier who said this house would cost a million where they live is living in Dreamland I`m afraid.