Impossible to sell house

[Aethelfled]

Feeling trapped at the moment. Our house is full of cracks, damp, leaks etc, and it all feels just too much to tackle, energy and cost wise. We've spent a fortune trying to fix the roof leaks, but seem to keep employing cowboys.

I'd love to move, but just can't see how anyone would buy it. I've considered one of those house buying companies, but we have nowhere to move to, and couldn't afford to buy without selling, and I think they just do quick one week sales. Not really sure why I'm posting, but has anyone else been in a similar position?

If you price it right it will sell. People love a doer-upper. Don't worry about the state of it.

You may get a buyer if you price it right. Why don't you get some valuations and see what you could afford to move to?

Of course your price will have to take account of the issues as, if it doesn't, it will come up on the survey.

We replaced our roof when the tiles seem to be acting like a sponge and then dumping water in random.places when they got completely sodden. They were springing leaks all.over the place. It was easier to just do the whole thing.

Could you price it significantly lower than similar local houses in good condition. Someone good at DIY would probably love a bargain

You can sell anything at the right price.

Where is your house.?

Any house will sell at the right price. Have you thought about selling at auction?

I guess we could get an estate agent round to get an idea, I just don't think we would get enough to enable us to move to a similar sized house and stay in the area. I would be embarrassed to show it to people due to all the bodged DIY jobs. We seem to have been really unlucky when it comes to tradesmen. Thanks all.

If tradesmen did the work it’s not DIY.

I think your negative mindset is taking over. I know it's easy for the stress to get to you.

But you haven't got an impossible to sell house, you haven't tried selling it yet.

Get an EA around and see what their advice is. You might be surprised!

Maybe you can’t afford a similar sized house in the same location in better condition because that’s an upgrade compared to what you’re selling, so it will naturally cost more.

But your current house seems to be really getting you down. I would personally sell it even if I had to downsize to a smaller house but in better condition. Or move out of the area slightly to get a house in better condition.

Each time I’ve sold I’ve thought that too much needs doing/it won’t sell/won’t get decent offers.
Our last house, the EA said don’t bother touching up paint/fixing X.
It sold within 12 hours of being on Right Move and other people already booked to view were cancelled.
Get 3 estate agents to come and give you an appraisal.

We think our rental is very tired in places with some evident tradesman bodges with plenty more work needing doing (just bought so moving out), other people who visit think the house is amazing and full of potential in a great rural location. I suspect yours will be similar and it'll appeal to a pool of buyers if priced correctly so don't think it's unsellable!

I would employ my own structural surveyor and have a full survey done so you know what the issues really are and how much they may cost to fix.

I'd then ask 3 agents to value the home - priced to sell within 8 weeks - with the known defects in place.

You'll then be best placed to better understand all your options - move, fix or endure.

Moving costs an absolute fortune. The legal fees, estate agent fees, stamp duty on the new place, removals costs... It's all money you could invest on making the place you are in much nicer. Those house buying companies will give you well under the market price, so while that's possible it's unlikely to help you get into an equivalent property in good condition, which as @Twiglets1 says, is an upgrade.

Maybe your house is just feeling a bit overwhelming and if you sit down and make a step by step plan on how you will start working on it, it will start to feel a bit more achievable. I always think it's a good idea to get at least one room feeling really nice, even if it's just temporarily, so you've got a hideaway from any chaos anywhere else in the house, and somewhere that feels hopeful and shows you how nice your house will be eventually.

OP, it will sell if the price is right.

But you won't get to move from a problematic house to a perfect one, of the same size, in the same area. If the problems are as you say, resolving them has to be paid for.

At least you know what the problems are. Buying another house is always risky, even with surveys etc.

You're fed up and frustrated so all you see is what's wrong. A motivated buyer sees the potential.

Sell it yourself and save the commission fees.

Thanks for all the advice

Where are you finding the tradesmen?! Ask around for recommendations and don't always go for the cheapest quote. I think a new roof would likely be cheaper than moving.