Page 2 | Selling house - overly stressed

2weeones · 2024-09-11T11:18:57+00:00

Anyone else feeling overly stressed about selling their house? It's only been on a week and I already feeling really overwhelmed by the whole thing. Keeping the house spotless with kids isnt easy and we have had 8 viewers and not a peep of an offer or extra viewing. Please tell me I'm not the only one to feel like this. I thought it would be slightly more fun (how foolish).

Original poster

2weeones · 11/09/2024 20:25

cathyburke · 11/09/2024 20:12

I feel for you OP, we are back on the market after our buyer pulled out just before exchange!

We had 32 viewings the first time round, and now just done viewing number 8 of our second round.

With a toddler and 2 dogs it's a PITA!

Good luck. That sounds incredibly stressful.

OP posts:

Twiglets1 · 12/09/2024 07:05

It will just get more stressful if you attempt to do the viewings yourself - who is going to look after the kids while you are doing the viewings at weekends/evenings? It's stressful enough without having to juggle childcare with viewings. There is no need for it either because if people are serious about potentially buying your property, they will find a time that aligns with EA hours.

Plus most buyers prefer the EA to do it so they don't have to pretend to like everything about the house and it takes the emotion our of it. An open house is a good idea one Saturday but you may still have to accept some viewings from people that can't make that particular day.

Also, you could tell the EA you don't want to accept viewings from people not in a position to proceed. So FTBs and cash buyers are welcome, and people who have sold their own house - or at least have it on the market as a minimum requirement.

Sunset54 · 12/09/2024 07:24

We’ve just accepted an offer on ours but the viewings were stressful. We have two kids, two cats and a hamster so keeping the house spotless was impossible.

We did the viewings ourselves (EA who is pretty expensive didn’t offer!) and some of the people viewing were awful. One family brought their two young children who charged around the house throwing things and screaming. The boy punched his mum in the face whilst I was trying to explain about the utilities.

Another couple insisted on viewing in the evening so we had two hungry children to entertain whilst they spent close to 2 hours imaging where their sofa was going to go, which walls they were going to knock down, turning lights on and off and looking in every cupboard. Their feedback was they loved the house but the front garden (which they drive past everyday) wasn’t quite big eneoygh for them.

Good luck OP!

kirinm · 12/09/2024 07:44

We've been on for just over two weeks now. The stress did feel overwhelming initially. We've had two offers from 10 viewings and have another 5 viewings on Saturday but it does feel like momentum is slowing down which I think is probably making it feel less stressful?!

If we get an offer that's actually acceptable then I think the pressure will ramp up again especially as there's nothing on the market to even go and see.

Endogal · 12/09/2024 08:10

We recently sold with a baby and dogs so understand OP! I was strict with the agent that people who were not proceedable could only view if before/ after a viewing of someone who is. We found this was a happy medium and saved us the effort of cleaning/ getting out of the house just for a viewing that is less likely to go somewhere.

Original poster

2weeones · 12/09/2024 10:43

Sunset54 · 12/09/2024 07:24

We’ve just accepted an offer on ours but the viewings were stressful. We have two kids, two cats and a hamster so keeping the house spotless was impossible.

We did the viewings ourselves (EA who is pretty expensive didn’t offer!) and some of the people viewing were awful. One family brought their two young children who charged around the house throwing things and screaming. The boy punched his mum in the face whilst I was trying to explain about the utilities.

Another couple insisted on viewing in the evening so we had two hungry children to entertain whilst they spent close to 2 hours imaging where their sofa was going to go, which walls they were going to knock down, turning lights on and off and looking in every cupboard. Their feedback was they loved the house but the front garden (which they drive past everyday) wasn’t quite big eneoygh for them.

Good luck OP!

Honestly, some people are just nuts!!!

OP posts:

Original poster

2weeones · 12/09/2024 10:44

kirinm · 12/09/2024 07:44

We've been on for just over two weeks now. The stress did feel overwhelming initially. We've had two offers from 10 viewings and have another 5 viewings on Saturday but it does feel like momentum is slowing down which I think is probably making it feel less stressful?!

If we get an offer that's actually acceptable then I think the pressure will ramp up again especially as there's nothing on the market to even go and see.

That's great you are getting offers. Hope it all goes well.

OP posts:

Shadowbox7 · 12/09/2024 10:45

Don't stress about it being spotless, that's not what will sell it 💐

Original poster

2weeones · 12/09/2024 10:45

Endogal · 12/09/2024 08:10

We recently sold with a baby and dogs so understand OP! I was strict with the agent that people who were not proceedable could only view if before/ after a viewing of someone who is. We found this was a happy medium and saved us the effort of cleaning/ getting out of the house just for a viewing that is less likely to go somewhere.

I think I might try that with the viewers. So stressful keeping everything clean for a viewer that isnt in a position to move.

OP posts:

joolsella · 12/09/2024 12:35

Hi

9 months in !

2 lost buyers
1 lost purchase
1 shit survey
2 agents
Multiple viewers
Several offers

Good luck

joolsella · 12/09/2024 12:41

Im actually sick to death of the whole thing

Viewers who come twice but don't offer because of something tiny

Viewers who make you an offer that's £50k below asking (we can't afford to move if that's the best we can get)

Viewers who aren't proceed able

Viewers who want to come back with their builder even though its a small house with no scope for extension

Original poster

2weeones · 12/09/2024 16:05

joolsella · 12/09/2024 12:35

Hi

9 months in !

2 lost buyers
1 lost purchase
1 shit survey
2 agents
Multiple viewers
Several offers

Good luck

Oh my goodness. I hope it gets easier for you.

OP posts:

Original poster

2weeones · 12/09/2024 16:06

joolsella · 12/09/2024 12:41

Im actually sick to death of the whole thing

Viewers who come twice but don't offer because of something tiny

Viewers who make you an offer that's £50k below asking (we can't afford to move if that's the best we can get)

Viewers who aren't proceed able

Viewers who want to come back with their builder even though its a small house with no scope for extension

There has to be an easier way with all this!

OP posts:

kirinm · 12/09/2024 17:26

We've got 4 viewings this Saturday and 2 the following. They're in 15 min slots. Do you think that acts as pressure for buyers - to see other potential buyers waiting to come in as soon as you leave? Or is it off putting. I think it would panic me a bit but I'm easily panicked!

frogpigdonkey · 12/09/2024 17:27

It's a marathon not a sprint. Try and find ways to chill where you can because otherwise you will go insane 😁

Twiglets1 · 12/09/2024 17:29

kirinm · 12/09/2024 17:26

We've got 4 viewings this Saturday and 2 the following. They're in 15 min slots. Do you think that acts as pressure for buyers - to see other potential buyers waiting to come in as soon as you leave? Or is it off putting. I think it would panic me a bit but I'm easily panicked!

It's a good thing as creates a bit of a buzz for buyers to see that your house is appealing to other people too.

wouldbeFTB · 12/09/2024 18:22

I'm hoping to buy my first property soon (if all goes well, I'll complete within the next few weeks). If I were a seller, I'd go for back-to-back viewings on a weekend. For me, these created a sense of panic and urgency e.g. 'if I don't make an offer, I'm going to miss out!'

I knew I had to put in a good offer on the flat I'm hoping to buy when the viewer before me (who was late and came at my timeslot) mentioned that she thought the flat was 'so cheap'.

iloveyoubutilovememore · 12/09/2024 18:31

Yep I hear you! We’ve finally accepted an offer on ours but my god the 10 weeks it was on were hell. Like many others the hardest part for me was having to neurotically tidy and clean (two boys 7&3) every other day just in case I wouldn’t have time before the viewing. It got so stressful that I rang my gp to see if I could go back on medication…

joolsella · 13/09/2024 17:36

Thanks

Third time
Lucky hipeo

joolsella · 13/09/2024 17:37

wouldbeFTB · 12/09/2024 18:22

I'm hoping to buy my first property soon (if all goes well, I'll complete within the next few weeks). If I were a seller, I'd go for back-to-back viewings on a weekend. For me, these created a sense of panic and urgency e.g. 'if I don't make an offer, I'm going to miss out!'

I knew I had to put in a good offer on the flat I'm hoping to buy when the viewer before me (who was late and came at my timeslot) mentioned that she thought the flat was 'so cheap'.

That's not feasible in this market

joolsella · 13/09/2024 17:41

@kirinm

Yes, agents do this for two reasons

1 logistics for their agent and vendor

2 creates a sense of buzz/interest/competition amongst buyers

Only works if the property is new to the market and there is loads of interest

RandomUsernameHere · 13/09/2024 17:44

Me too. Our sale has fallen through twice already, house has been on the market on and off since April. We've just accepted an offer from a new buyer. They're coming round for another (fourth!) viewing tomorrow which is making me a bit anxious. I hate the fact that there is so much uncertainty until you actually exchange contracts and that it takes so long! The only thing to do is focus on the positives and try and get excited about the new house.

Beautifulweeds · 13/09/2024 17:57

Yes it is very stressful but as soon you have a buyer it's better! However, the whole process is full of flaws, we have had bumpy rides each time. Currently moving, were all packed up, van booked with deposit paid then a call to say problems with someone in chain. So date changed to next month, living out of boxes taken from storage. Such a bloody farce! Xx

kirinm · 13/09/2024 20:18

We have 5 viewings tomorrow. All in an hour and a bit so very close together. Rushing around with bleach and a vacuum with DP mowing the grass in the dark 🤪

LaPalmaLlama · 13/09/2024 20:44

I get you on the tidying - so disappointing when you spend a day cleaning and then they glance around it for 5 mins and say "nah"- ironically, we sold our house in a week when I'd said "we're on holiday and the house is messy so no viewings". EA called to say please could these people take a look as they were only down for a few days. I said ok, because I figured it was now or never. The cleaner had been so I knew it wasn't minging, but it was definitely not the tidiest- most embarrassingly, DS's school report was on DH's desk and I'd drawn a massive red ring around a comment and written "WTAF", washing on the drying rack in the kitchen, DD's room was a teenage pit of make up and clothes. Apparently, they loved the "family vibe" :-).