Feedback from viewers - I can't get my head around.

[Downsizingandmovingon]

Hello everyone. Please go easy with me on this, as it's all a bit overwhelming.

I am early 70s and my husband of more fifty-three years died almost five years ago. After a huge amount of thought, I have decided I need to sell my home, because even though it's a typical thirties-semi, it's just too big for me now. I want to move to either a bungalow or a flat (I am very much keeping my options open). It's a huge step, as this is the only house I have lived in since 1972.

My husband used to do all the repairs, and we have all the usual things like central heating, although a part from a lean-to extention to the kitchen, the house is the same size as it was when built. I won't be posting a link to it as I don't want to show the world, and I know it needs some updating, but the estate agent has assured me the asking price will reflect this.

The problem is this; it's been on two weeks and I've had three viewings. The feedback from all of them is that it needs TL and that it wasn't right for them, however, the agent asked one of them to go into more detail, and they said that it's not the work that puts them off, it's the fact that it 'obvious' a lot of it was done by a DIY person and that they are worried about what's going to turn up over time!

I'm horrified, and a bit offended too, as we never had any problems with anything my husband did or repaired, but they've mentioned really silly things, like in the kitchen (which my husband put in) the flexes to the appliances below go through a hole in the worktop and are plugged in above - I mean how else are they supposed to be plugged in? They also mentioned how some of the doors didn't look well fitted - there were several things, but I don't remember as I was too upset.

I feel thoroughly down about it, and I'm really worried that other people are going to pick up on it too, not that I can see a problem, but if this is going to be a thing then how do I make it better? I have three more viewings booked for tomorrow and it's making me sick with worry. I thought people bought houses knowing that problems might show up, but I didn't know some people think the previous owners could leave them a legacy of unknown issues. Please share you (kind) thoughts.

We are early 30s not ftb, as we had a flat before but have just bought what sounds like the same as your house. A 1930s semi from a widow. Yes it’s clear it needs some work, and we looked at houses that have been already done and they were very attractive! The difference is we wanted a project, we aren’t scared if the work and we didn’t max our budget (we borrowed extra on the mortgage to take a chunk of capital). We are also happy to live in it while we sort it- it doesn’t have to be done tomorrow! However as we’ve been here longer we have uncovered more work than perhaps was first obvious, it’s not an issue we expected it to a degree. However if your viewers are maxed on budget I can understand why they are wondering what might crop up that they haven’t accounted for. A 1930s property is 100 years old, there will be things that crop up and that’s no slight on you or your husband

Yes, we found this too. Even houses that are on the extreme end of fixer upper (I don't mean cosmetic work) are priced similarly to finished houses on the same road. Many sellers don't put any time, money or effort into the upkeep of their houses over the years (and decades), yet assume that their properties are worth similar to the fully renovated houses on the same road.

I'm talking about things like single glazing, shoddy plumbing and electrics, and, some cases, no central heating at all. That's all fine if that's their preference, but the house will not be worth the same as a triple glazed, rewired house with a new boiler.

Also in my 70s, always bought doer uppers,in various states..our last house was 1930s, no ch or double glazing, the original bathroom, downstairs, only one family had lived there from new... renting. It was Barry bucknaled you will know what that means! The wallpaper was 1960s op art vinyl, orange and brown, but the place was immaculate. The kitchen had been replaced in the 60s
We did the downsize almost near the sea,10 minutes bungalow. Just because it has a big plot, gardening is our thing. Bought and sold many times over the years. People are incredibly rude, they go around saying exactly what they think it would do. I would caution a flat, not because of the lease. I have a relative moved to a flat 5 years ago, and the service and maintenance charges have tripped, she is seriously thinking of moving. I live in the SE UK, village, very popular area, (think Beachy head) and some properties have been on the market for a year,there is nothing wrong with the majority,it's just very slow. Do you have family children you want to be near? I had folk viewing our last house complaining about the downstairs bathroom and sizes of rooms....it was all in the estate agents details. It was a little cottage.. Mumsnet does expect big houses,a bedroom for everyone,no one shares,oh and lots of bathrooms!

It is extremely frustrating because I am particular especially about kitchens and most new kitchens put in quickly for sale do not suit me. Or anyone practical imho. Why is fridge 2meters away from kitchen or in utility?🤦😂
I would love reasonably priced doer upper which is at least somewhat liveable, but totally in need of refurb.
But I, and most, cannot justify or afford paying (made up sums) 180k for total refurb house when done up is 200k and refurb would cost 80k+🤷

As a fully qualified electrician I am always surprised that the public has the perception that you need qualifications to undertake electrical work in the UK. In no section of the Wiring Regulations or Part P of the building regulations is that requirement made. The only requirement is that the regulations are followed, however the individual electrician can if he wishes deviate or "depart" from the regulations if he fills in the appropriate box on the certificates.

Anyone and his mate can sign off an electrical installation with perfect legitimacy and if they go the long way round get a perfectly valid part P certificate (which you don't need for every job by a long shot).

People expect a very different finish to what was acceptable in the past. In my opinion some things have declined- shoddy kitchens and bathrooms which need replacing after a couple of years, cheap finishes which go out of fashion quickly etc. Lots of builders wouldn't touch owning some of the new builds from large developers and it will be interesting to see how well they last over the years but they look the part and have all the certificates and meet current building regs. Times have changed and will change again so don't overthink it and if you're determined to move, listen to the feedback and price accordingly. It's a business transaction and your lovely husband would want you to be happy.

This is good advice. I know from when we’ve looked at houses, we’ve felt pushed to come up with a reason when it just wasn’t the house for us.

Similarly, when we’ve sold houses the feedback has been unhelpful and nearly always about something that we couldn’t rectify.

I think estate agents want some sort of reaction to show they are earning their money when all you want them to do is sell your house!

Sending you a hug OP. It must be very emotional to sell up after losing your beloved husband and doing this alone. Your happy memories are in this home. Criticisms are hard to take.

It will sell but December is dreadful for sales and we found more time wasters wanting a day out than serious buyers.

I remember one viewer didn’t like my dining room table (which was coming with me !). And another the paint job in my DS room, which took half a day to turn magnolia .

I was always out during viewings too - I didn’t want to hear the comments. Best of luck.

It can be really hard not to take things personally, I know!

But one persons "not for us" is another persons "perfect!"

That was the case for me buying my current house. It had been on the market for a while, advertised as a 3-bed. But one of the bedrooms is downstairs. Other viewers didn't want that, but for me it was perfect! We wanted two bedrooms and another that could be an office! The office being downstairs was perfect!
The right person will come along OP.

You need to cultivate the attitude of 'sod the lot of you'! You have a lovely house, it will sell probably after Christmas and you will move next year to a beautifulnew place. Focus on that and tell the estate agent to just get it sold, no need for any feedback thank you.Selling houses is stressful because of the uncertainty of it all and because it involves other people who are not folk you'd usually come across. Best of luck!

Even with moulded plugs, people often cut them off to pass the flex through a hole and then fitted an ordinary plug onto it.

oh I have seen it and many other "vintage" methods. At the time they were commonly seen and accepted but times change and expectations change with them.

It's nothing that needs "sorting" at all - very often when sockets are below counter height, the socket is located in a cupboard adjacent to the appliance. To do this, the flex of the appliance has to pass through a hole in the cupboard. That is no different in principle to what the OP has - the difference is that the flexes on her appliances reappear at worktop height and not in a cupboard.

• Different from, not to. I can't think why I wrote that incorrectly.

That's it - expectation. It's in no way unsafe, it just doesn't look as good.

It sounds like my grandparents house which has been on the market for a while now. Realistically it sounds like it needs it needs completely redoing. Even if it was painted in 2021, I wouldn’t want textured wallpaper in every room. You also don’t know what you are going to find when you strip it! New kitchen, new bathroom, potentially redoing the electrics. Sounds like a lot of work to make it a home that meets modern tastes.

This is so true. Presumably the price reflects that the house needs updating? Some people will think updating means redecorating from the photos and will realise there's more than they anticipated when they see it in person.

Selling your house is a business transaction. Do try not to take things personally. I'd be glad of the honest feedback. All too often people don't offer any or say something they'll have known before they viewed.

Actually I think that some of the old methods are unsafe and that is why they are no longer used. We never used to bother with RCD's on garden equipment for instance. Lampshades didn't have maximum wattage requirements on them. I remember visiting one lady who had the most amazing kitchen. The cupboards and worktops were all enamelled metal and there was no cooker. it had gas rings connected to the supply by a rubber tube. Yes I saw this some 25 years ago but it was hair raising then.... Times change and safety expectations change with them

Well this isn't unsafe at all.

the issue you may be facing OP is people are viewing who maybe don’t have a big budget to refurb the house. A new kitchen costs thousands. If people see that electric sockets need moved that adds to the cost. They then start to wobble and think what will they find when they lift carpets etc? What you have described would put me off buying if I had to wait a few years to save to replace the kitchen.

I have moved a few times and have heard some odd comments from viewers. I used to take them personally but got to the stage that I really didn’t care. I know it’s hard to try to think of it as a business transaction.

Just don't think about the feedback or ask not to see it. The agent can monitor it and the price can be revised in 2 or 3 months' time if there are no offers. Plugging in an appliance above a unit it not particularly unusual. Sometimes there is not space under or no one wants to make a hole in the unit top. It can be an issue if there is a long loads of cable over the top of a work surface that is used I suppose. It would not be a reason to reject a house.

It's different now to when you bought it. Houses are A LOT more expensive now so people have to be a lot more cautious and don't want to uncover loads of problems once moved in. Unless people are looking specifically for a doer upper, most people don't want major work. The cost of trades people is expensive and very hard to get a decent person in to do it without waiting months. It is likely you will have to reduce the price and then when the survey is done you might have to reduce further.

really?

no but its not usual now and hasn't been for some time and to many people, me included, it would indicate DIY. I would have no idea about the competence of the DIY-er or what else they might have done.

Yes. As i said earlier, when a socket is under the counter in a cupboard, the flex from the appliance has to pass through a hole in the cupboard to get to the socket. In the case of the OP, her flexes pass up through a hole in the counter to reach the sockets on the wall. It used to be a very common sight when kitchens were less "posh" and sockets were fewer in number.