House not selling - advice needed!

[Tooting33]

My partner is dealing with a house which needs to be sold in a quiet ish part of south west Scotland. Unfortunately it seems to have had no interest.

Does anyone have experience of an estate agent or things you can do to generate a little interest?

I don't know the area , but personally I'd be put off by location and also a commercial property attached . Secondly , what's the market like in that area ? I

Property looks old fashioned and needing some work to fit today's living . Is you partner selling this because it's part of an inheritance and not his actual home ?
I ask because perhaps the estate agent has set a price but in reality maybe he doesn't need top money for it as he hasn't put anything in it .

For context , I live away from my childhood home , when I had to sell my parents house I could accept a lowish offer because a) it wasn't my actual home . b) it was an inheritance . c) I hadn't any actual personnel money tied up in it.

I don't mean give it away , but sometimes it's better gone rather than wait for the golden price to come forward.

As someone who knows the area and lives in a similar town, these kind of town centre houses do tend to take a while to shift as for practical reasons (parking, noise from commercial property nearby etc) they are not popular. I've seen prices drop by 20k or more whilst people try to sell. And with the renovation needed this one will be even more unpopular.

So it's been on the market 7-8 months and had no interest? Literally none? Why has your partner not reduced it if he has not interest in such a long time?
I agree with others that the pictures are poor and that it would best to clear it. However, it's in the middle of town, no parking, next to a commercial building so it won't have lots of interest parties anyway. If he wants to sell, do those things and reduce the price 10%.

I know the area well. Newton Stewart is a nice town and I don’t think being next to a shop would put anyone off. It is a very very quiet town. Dumfries and Galloway is a housing market of two halves. 1 low priced small traditional properties that don’t appeal to people moving into the area or to families in the area and 2 large rural properties that people moving in from the central belt or England buy.
The condition isn’t unusual as many cottages are dated and need work compared to houses in the se of England. The rules have changed on holiday cottages so it’s unlikely to sell as one now.
Im not sure a drop to 90-95k will sell it as after a few months cheeky offers tend to roll in if anyone’s interested. The market can be very very slow up there. Newton Stewart is a remote town, not a place of economic vibrancy
It does have plenty of space and storage

I also know the area and would agree with Autumn’s above assessment. The market for this house is really a young FTB from the local area, but the amount of work which needs to be done will seem daunting to many of them, considering the asking price - which is at least £20K too high. The photos are shit. Furniture often helps to give perspective and show the sizes of rooms but in this case with this particular furniture I think it’s just making the property look even more tired and dated and you’d do better to get rid of most of it and have new photographs taken by somebody who can actually take photos.

I think my partner wasn't expecting it to go quickly so wasn't too bothered to start with. He's seen others nearby sit on the market for ages.

The advice is all good to hear.

It doesn't look like the agent usually has the home report readily available, but it is really important, especially if the house looks like it needs loads of work doing, but is actually sound.

You'd know from that too if the price is off.

If it has been on that long though, you'll likely need a home report refresh anyway.

That has to be one of the worst set of photos I’ve ever seen.
And I’m a Rightmove addict.

Is it a probate property? Or ex-rental?
Certainly doesn't look very loved.
Whoever created the listing/photos isn't doing their job properly.
As your partner isn't that bothered can't he price it to sell? Or throw a bit of money at it and get it rented out.
It's sad leaving it to rot when that could be someone's home.

Agree with emptying the house and taking new photos. Also cut the lawn and take a sunny photo. It looks suspiciously like the occupant died ages ago, and the house has been empty for a long time.

It needs to be made more appealing. Look at every room and think how can I make this room look nicer. Garden needs sorting out. I think it could be improved visually without spending a great deal of money. Agree photo of every room and new photos after improvement work.

I’ve never seen such a dismal and sparse listing. The estate agent should be embarrassed.

Tidy it up, change agent, get better photos. On Rightmove!

The bones of the house are great and it has a decent garden.

I can’t comment on prices in that area.

It is a probate property. I just meant he wasn't bothered about it selling quickly because he knows it's quite a slow market there. But he definitely wants someone to be living in it as it's a good solid house so will make a good home for someone.

He's read this thread and is going to sort as much as possible next time he's up there.

What was the mortgage valuation on the home buyers report?
If its more than what you’re selling it for this should be stated if you’re it’s less than what you’re trying to sell it for then reduce it to at the very least the same price.
Newton Stewart and surrounding area is primarily an agricultural area which attractis some tourists mainly in the summer. I agree with what is said above properties generally fall into two categories ones that locals often on low incomes will buy or nice bigger and relatively more expensive properties bought by either a small minority on higher salaries, wealthy pensioners and those usually from England looking for second homes.

Funnily enough listened to this the other day...

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4ngzq91323o.amp

Mentioned that sometimes properties are left empty for years because people are either too skint to make them liveable or too rich (in that it makes no difference to them).

It's very antisocial to leave properties empty.
Pay someone to clear it out and give it a decent paint job and a tidy-up.

It's hard, I don't know how your DP feels emotionally about the place, but it will get harder to manage an abandoned property which judging from the photos it looks this house is. Not surprised it's not selling, you can't just pluck and number out of the air and expect queues of buyers round the block when the cost credit is what it is and from how PP describe the area and local economy you need to work a bit to get the place sold and for a buyer to get excited about the place.
It could make a charming home for someone, hope your DP pulls his finger out soon!

Is there a tree or large weed growing out of the chimney? If so you need to get rid of it, and if not, it's another example of a rubbish photo.

My first thought was that you should strip it of all the furniture, and the wire/cable that's hanging down in the sitting room (is it for a landline?) A house clearance company will empty it - you don't need to waste a weekend or try to find homes for it all. It's very dated, and would make me wonder whether there has been proper maintenance going on.

I'm no property expert, but I'd say you could either sell it as a 'do it upper' by reducing it, or spend a bit on a new kitchen and whatever is going on in the unphotographed rooms, and get a bit more. Is there a rental market in the area? It might appeal to a landlord if so, but the same would apply - either let them do the work or charge a bit more. Another option would be to auction it?

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0020xst

house seems a bit bleeugh from the front picture and the shop next door is showing xmas so looks a bit old. the front is very plain inside lots of dark fiddly furniture and floral in the bedroom makes it look like room is tiny. on picture 5 just two bits of furniture not sure what that room is kitchen looks bare and no bathroom pics

Contact BHF, arrange for removal of all furniture. It looks grim. Repaint. Tidy up. Pictures needed of all rooms.