Judge my rightmove listing please - no viewings!

[DinoNuggetsRUs]

So we put our house on the market just under 2 weeks ago. We've had 3 unsuccessful viewings but literally no other requests to come and have a look.
I've contacted my agent about this, as I was thinking we're possibly overpriced but he is adamant this is not the case.
I've mentioned the pictures are a bit naff - he's said that's not the case.
I've mentioned that maybe I should paint the bedroom wall so it's not green as it really hasn't photographed well - he's said no one is going to not buy a house because of the colour of a wall.

What do you suggest? I think my agent is wrong and all of the above needs addressing. I've looked at other houses in our area and we're not really priced much differently to them but we're not getting anyone through the door.

link removed to protect OP's anonymity

I think some of your issues here may be the intended market and the location. Really your target market are people who are going to want to be close to amenities (young families etc) and you definitely would need a car there. It’s a long time since I’ve been up there, but I seem to remember that’s a pretty busy road, and the living space opens on to it. You’re in a bit of a valley as well, with hills on either side, so it’s probably quite dark inside unless it’s a very bright day.

I think the fact that it’s priced higher than other similar properties in the area, but with the location, on road parking on a busy road, the tiered garden and reduction in natural light will put plenty people off.

I would get the pictures redone on a bright day to try and show it as light as possible, but the rest I appreciate there’s not much you can do about.

As a moot point, I think it’s a really cute little house- but it’s the above that can’t be changed that would put me off.

Do you think it could be the price bracket you’ve put it in? 180K is not ideal when ‘up to’ 175K is a natural cut-off point.

Generally it’s a lovely house however the photos are poor and it’s a sloppy listing. Things I’d change in the photos:

Photo 1. Move the rubbish bins into the street (out of view) whilst you take the photo. If you can put out a couple of bright pot plants.

Photo 2. Get rid of one of the rugs. Close the kitchen door. Remove the kids toys and take the coats off the coat rack under the stairs, it just looks cluttered. Personally I’d be tempted to paint the hand rails on the stairs, I’m not a fan of the pine but it wouldn’t put me off buying, but would maybe make the photos more visually pleasing.

Photo 3. I’d remove the items from the tops of the cupboards and remove the wheeled caddy. Whilst completely practical it just draws attention to there not being enough cupboard space. Maybe add a painting or some other artwork to the wall the cooker is on, something to bring a bit of brightness to the room.

Photo 4. Is in the wrong place, I’d move it more in line with the garden photos. I’d also re-take the photo over the fence so the fence isn’t actually in view.

Photos 5 & 6. I’d scrap both of them. They aren’t needed and just highlight weaknesses in the rooms. If you do decide to redo photo 6 I’d move the pet bowls out of shot.

Photos 7 & 8. I’d move the cat tree out of shot, as well as the washing baskets. I’d declutter the dressing table, move the plastic drawers and consider changing the large rug for a smaller one. It looks like you have nice wooden floors but it’s lost under the rug.

Photos 9 & 10. I think there only needs to be one photo and if you can borrow a single bed for the photo. It currently looks too small for one.

Photo 11. Move the items off the windowsill and also put the toothbrush out of sight. Change the towel and bath mat for a matching set. The photo is from a slightly strange angle, just try to make look more natural.

Photo 12. Move the clothes rack out of shot. Ideally paint the decking and fence. Add lots and lots of spring planters (beg, borrow and steal from friends/neighbours if you can). I’d also arrange the seat and table slightly more appealingly and remove the item with the trailing lead from the photograph.

If you can use something like command strips to get more artwork on the walls, even if you have to borrow from friends for a few weeks/months. Alternatively you can pick up prints etc cheaply online and pick up frames in charity shops.

Pictures aren't very inviting a lot of things lying around maybe move things room to room for barer pictures. Not keen on the green or the wallpaper and bedding too much print this may put someone off from viewing you need to imagine it as move in ready. Money needs put into back garden fence, garden and decking to freshen it up so this should be reflected in the price and slightly reduced or else you could try getting it treated/painted yourself.

I think the pictures are not helping - like the one with the bedroom that shows the view out of the window, which is not a very lovely one. Different angles would make a difference I think. The decor is lovely, maybe a little editing to make the rooms look bigger if possible. Any non essential furniture removed would be helpful. I have a friend trying to sell at the moment and they have no luck either - I think it is just not a good time of year. Hopefully things will pick up after easter.

Same here - instant turn off for me.

Sorry haven't RTFT but nearly all pics out of focus and poor quality (look like they've been taken with a cheap mobile phone), garden needs some tlc and I want to see some dimensions on the floorplan and in the description. Xx

However your house looks lovely and love some of your decor choices. Good luck OP.

OP I don’t have any comments on your house, but I wanted to say how much I admire your attitude on this thread. You manage to stay cheerful, not stoop to the level of some very catty comments, while also taking the relevant feedback on board. I hope I don’t sound patronising because I really mean it, I wish there were more posters like you.

Good luck with your house sale!

The rooms all look a good size but where's your dining table? Some might be put off with the small kitchen.

I would eliminate photo 4 what even is that? Photo 8 that room is too busy, try decluttering and neutralise. On the last bedroom. Make it more like a bedroom. I.e single bed etc. overall lovely house and hope you get a sale soon.

Remove towels from bathroom & most/all products.
Remove evidence of domestic animals.
Declutter main bedroom.
Looks a nice solid house though.

The problem is the agent, I am currently going through the complaints procedure with Yopa.
I have discovered many people simply will not view a yopa house as the service is shocking.
They take bad pictures, hardly get viewings and I had to find my own buyer, do my own viewing and deal with the solicitors all while they took over £1300 for absolutely nothing.
That was after they lost me 2 buyers

if you can get out of the contract I would, we stupidly signed the one where you pay not matter what so they just do not care

I feel this house has lots of potential. Understandably we all have different tastes and in my view its not only the photos that would put me off viewing the property. The garden looks a bit unkempt. The whole house needs to be brighter. I'd change the decor to make it all look less brown. I'd remove the rugs to enhance the floor space. I'd change the bed linnen to a neutral colour without a pattern which detracts from the space. I'd add brightly coloured cushions to the sofa. I'd remove the photo that shows the view of the scrub land. I'd remove the fun floor bed for the photo. I hope this doesn't sound too critical of your personal taste. I'm just looking at it from a buyers point of view & fresh & bright with minimal clutter is always more inviting.

I agree all with Inthedeep. I would not only put a single bed in the child’s bedroom to prove there is space but also a wardrobe/ cupboard as the fitted one doesn’t seam to have enough room to hold all an older child’s things/ clothes.

Why are people put off by "evidence of pets" out of curiosity? It's not like you're going to be expected to take the cat along with the house.

It's the price OP. Look at the 'under offer' houses nearby. More house for less money.

So don't go spending more money trying to make it appealing. Very likely you'll just have to reduce the price.

There is currently a huge disconnect between what buyers can afford and are willing to pay and what sellers/estate agents list for. We're living in a tricky time to sell. I live in a very popular London commuter town where every house used to be snapped up within days. Now they just sit on the market until they have 2-3 reductions before selling.

Pets are polarizing.
-Lots of people really don't like pets at all.

-Some houses with pets do smell of those pets, though the owners seem not to notice, so there can be a tendency to assume that all houses with pets will smell
-Some people have allergies.

House hunting is stressful it doesn't take much to put off potential viewers.

@DinoNuggetsRUs I don't think the majority of people are being catty. You asked people to judge your house. Whilst it is uncomfortable to see the comments, it is probably a good reflection of what most people think when they come across your listing online. If those comments are repeated by poster after post like decluttering they are probably worth considering.

Do you have any photos of it in the summer so that people can see the appeal. The winter photo looks like wasteland. For what it’s worth I think the way you’ve decorated it is so much better than grey (although I do like white) I would not buy a house which was grey and shiny with thick carpets. It’s all down to personal taste isn’t it?

People are put off because of pets because of sick and poo in carpets and fleas, can be a bugger to get rid of

I would suggest day time pictures in natural light. Not with lights on.

I'm not aware of the pricing as it's not my area, but usually that is the deal breaker with most properties.

Awful photos, looks like taken in the dark.

Had another quick look. Photo 8 would be enough to put me off viewing the house. One bad photo showing lots of clutter and imo awful colours & conflicting patterns (just being honest) can put people off the whole property. I'd definitely sort this before renewing photos. I hope with a few changes you will get viewers soon. There's lots of potential in the house 👍

Afternoon all and thanks to all the budding Kirstie Allsopps everyone who's offered the OP useful advice.

The OP has been in touch with us, with concerns about protecting her anonymity on the boards. To avoid the thread being taken down - and all these helpful posts being lost - we've removed any links or screenshots of the property on the thread so that the discussion can continue.

But can folk please not post any further links or pics? That way, we can keep the thread running rather than having to zap it.

Thanks all and best of luck with house viewings, OP.