Flat doesn't seem to be selling?

[DAISYBELLAxx]

Hello everyone.

We are based in Surrey and looking to upsize. Our flat has been on the market for a month and it is just not selling.

We have had a total of three viewings but no offers. All viewings have been as a result of our estate agents calling people directly. Nobody seems to be enquiring from zoopla, rightmove etc off their own back.

I was wondering, as outsiders, if you could give your honest opinion as to why people are not proceeding to want to view. The link is: https://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/67811323/

There are no bathroom photos currently and the estate agents are in the process of rectifying this (the photographer forgot to take photos of the bathroom??!!)

When people are viewing, I am always ensuring that I am keeping the flat clean, tidy and pleasant.

Your opinions would be much appreciated!

Thank you 😊

89 years is short for a leasehold property….can you pay to get it extended?

Also looks like it is right next to the motorway, is that right? Which would be a no from me….but I know not very helpful as not much you can change about that!

That doesn’t look like a sitting room I’d want to spend any time in - it’s not warm inviting or homey just grey on grey.

I think you need to add some soft furnishings or art to the sitting room make it look less like a bachelor pad ( sorry ) and more like a home. That first photo is horrendous and if I was looking to buy in your area I wouldn’t get past the first image to be even interested in the home.

Also better bedspread on the bed

The value of the flat is likely to be going downward every year at the moment with that lease length.

Last sold 3 years ago for £185k. Why is it now worth £45k more?

A 25% increase in value in three years for a leasehold flat in Bagshot seems unlikely.

It’s always price.

Put some plants in. It looks unlived in.

I don't see anything really wrong. The market is quite slow. I suppose the price is fair? If I were looking for a leasehold, I would want a long lease already sorted

Honestly it's just a bit 'meh'..... as another poster has said, not very homely, warm or inviting. To me, it looks more like somewhere a student would live. What does the communal gardens and hallway space look like?

Sort the lease length and price it around £200k?

That living room is soulless, needs some colour perhaps a rug either in front of sofa or under table and chairs. Get some cushions, throw and hang a picture. Also why no curtains if you have curtain poles?

Thank you for your feedback so far. Completely understand what is being said about the decor. It is actually my partner's flat - he had it before he met me!

We didn't want to spend lots of money on trinkets to make it look more fancy as we always knew that living here would be short term.

Perhaps we should invest in a few bits to make it look less empty - although I thought that it may appeal to some people as it is a blank canvas.

Yes - unfortunately it is near the motorway.

Anyway - thanks for your feedback. 😊

The lease length would worry me, the flat looks unlived in, and also like there's no storage anywhere, apart from too many built in cupboards in the bedroom.

What is the service charge? The front outside garden looks super scruffy and unkempt which would make me worry that maintenance to shared areas is less likely to be done.

Agree with pp's that it doesn't look very inviting.

Also, can you move the draws from the bottom of the bed while you're selling? It makes that room look very cramped!

The lease is short

Need some soft furnishings in lounge it's too empty. I'd shove the corner sofa against the wall as it looks odd in the middle of the room

The lairy kitchen tiles are a bit off-putting but not the end of the world

Id personally get rid of the dated bedroom overhead cupboards but again isnt going to stop me buying it just dates the flat

Hopefully the grass us greener now, cut the grass so tidy then re photograph

Especially with a decreasing lease. You would be lucky to get back what you paid for it let alone make a profit. Sorry.

Buy stuff that you like and just move to the new house

I know where that is - it's probably not as noisy as the map view indicates. BUT - you need all the photos (and fewer of the exterior) plus a floor plan.

I'd also put a couple of pictures or mirrors up so it isn't so plain.

After that I'm afraid that it's just price. There have been hundreds of flats built in and around that approx area and the market is probably saturated.

@DAISYBELLAxx what’s the logic on the price, given he bought in 2021 for £185k, and initially listed it at £240k?

I mean, it's always price but the main bedroom seems rammed with furniture. The lounge looks unlived in, could you add some colour? And pull the table out so it looks like there is room to sit at the table?

It's the length of the lease. You need to set in motion the lease extension (which is a cost to you but means at least you can pass the process on. If you don;t, the next buyer has to wait two years before they can even apply to extend the lease, by which time it will be classified as close to 'marriage value" (under 80 years) which is WAY more expensive.

DS was looking for a two bed recently and was very conscious of lease length. But his head was swayed by flats under 90 years if they really projected a perfect life style.

Your flat doesn't. It's very bare and grey which is now unfashionable. I'd jazz it up a lot with colourful rugs, big plants, tasteful art and mood lighting in the living room and some throws and lamps in the bedroom. Make it look like the perfect, stylish place to unwind after a commute from London.

89 year lease is a problem sorry. Either he buys a lease extension or accepts reduced value.

Also it’s summer. People don’t house hunt in summer, generally.

We just went from the estate agent valuations

All that grey looks like it's devoid of any soul, like somewhere you'd go to die.

It's very depressing.

Ground floor? The garden shown in the photos is communal?

The short lease would put me off, as would the proximity of other people right outside my windows.

You can get the lease extension sorted though.

You need to invest in extending the lease and not buying a few "bits". The location isn't great, and it's not really got any kerb appeal. You also need to lower the price.

Can somebody please kindly explain to me about leases and why it is important to increase it? How would we go about increasing it? Thank you