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Would this put you off buying a house?

11 replies

Itsrainingten · 19/06/2024 18:58

We've been on the market for a month tomorrow. Quite a few viewings, including a couple of 2nd viewings but no offers. We just had some very helpful feedback from a guy who said that he has decided not to buy because he's worried about cracks in the external walls. We did send him a copy of a report from our insurance company who had inspected and said not subsidence (which is what he's worried about) but fair enough he decided not to go ahead anyway.
We are considering getting the cracks filled and then the whole house painted so we don't have anyone else worrying about this. It does look bad so I can understand why people might be, even with the report. It's definitely not a problem though. I didn't 100% believe the insurance company, and thought they were maybe trying to get out of paying so we got an independent survey done and same - they're settlement cracks, no evidence of subsidence so I'm not worried about the structure, just people's perception of the structure IYSWIM.
So my question is - if we go ahead and get the work done, should we take it off the market while we are doing it? Obviously we would say no viewings while the scaffolding is up but would you be ok with EA continuing marketing, but saying no viewings for the week then work is done?
I think that's fine, DH thinks we should take it off Rightmove in case people drive past to have a look, and get put off. Maybe they might think there's a problem or something?
I just don't think I'd be put off with the sight of someone painting their house. I'd think "ooh that's going to look nice, theyre obviously tarting it up to make it more desirable" What do you think? Thank you

OP posts:
DoublePeonies · 19/06/2024 19:09

I think take it off the market. There in no guarantee that the scaffolding will only be up a short period of time, and that would definitely put me off if I saw that.

Twiglets1 · 19/06/2024 19:10

I agree with your husband- scaffolding is not a good look on a property that’s for sale.

Itsrainingten · 19/06/2024 19:14

Hmm interesting. Thanks for your thoughts. Even if the only thing that was being done was painting you'd be put off? Obviously nobody would have an actual viewing in that time. It'd just be in case of drive bys
The agent thinks they should keep marketing and just say no viewings for the time it's up, but then get would, wouldn't they!!

OP posts:
Itsrainingten · 19/06/2024 19:16

Also if it makes a difference at all there is no board outside, so the people that might drive by and realise it's for sale are ones that have specifically chosen to look at it.

OP posts:
Lokshen · 19/06/2024 19:18

Take it off while you're rectifying the problems

IhateJan22 · 19/06/2024 19:20

Take it off, our agent paused ours for a few
months whilst we dealt with some other things going on.

BobbyBiscuits · 19/06/2024 19:20

It's just so hard to envisage what it looks like underneath. You would struggle to make a visual decision on the exterior, or the levels of light if it was blocked. Also people could assume subsidence or dodgy roof, no matter what you say it's actually for. I think people would discount it before viewing in person a lot of the time.

ohtowinthelottery · 19/06/2024 19:20

Depends where you're getting your scaffolding from. Scaffolding companies are notorious for leaving scaffolding up forever if they don't need it somewhere else!

Itsrainingten · 19/06/2024 19:29

Thanks everyone. Very helpful

OP posts:
Lucyloo223 · 19/06/2024 19:30

You definitely need a for sale sign. When I was buying if I drove past somewhere with a sign I'd then look it up later.

ScottBakula · 19/06/2024 19:41

I agree with pp , they won't know you are just having painting done it could be anything .
Also they won't be able to see the outside of the house, think about how many times we are told a house needs kerb appeal , with the scaffolding in place there will be zero appeal.

When it's all done relist it and get the EA to put board up

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