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.

The house I'm sat in now was lived by a family for over 60 years before we bought it, the electrics were crazy, and had been done by the owners, there were 2 lines in to the house all spilt randomly.

We had the double plug socket in the kitchen situation and omg the cupboards built in everywhere.

We had to take the house back to its bare bones to get it up to today's standards and insurance legislations, but we were totally willing to do this.

There will be people like us who come along and undertake the work needed to and be mindful of the work and love that's gone into this home over the years.

Taking those cupboards out was a bit sad as the ones had clearly built them all themselves and spend many years in the home.

I think there’s two things, one you are selling a home and they are buying a house. You don’t mind the plugs through the work surface because it’s what you’ve lived with and it’s been your home. I have moved house (as in buying and selling) six times in 10 years, I’ve never seen that by the way, it is very old fashioned.

the other thing is people do make stuff up/ give any reason for feedback when they feel they have to say something more than ‘it’s just not the house for me’ I remember being told they didn’t like the feature wall in a house that I was selling, it was a single wall of some Cole and son wallpaper, extremely tasteful, and even if you didn’t like it, it’s easy enough to paint or wallpaper over. They just didn’t like my house and that’s fair enough!

good luck to you Op, it’s a quiet time and you’ll get there

I think you are answering the wrong post, mine was about gas supplied to a cooking hob through rubber tubing!

Your house will sell. Everything does at the right price.

I do wonder if EAs badger people for feedback. I've had some ridiculous feedback I'm my time. The house is small (it was a 2 bed terrace so of course it was small), it's open plan (yes it was), it's not 4 beds (that's right it's 3), it's not open plan (no it's not), the garden is too small (yes it was small) and this is despite everything being immaculate.

I eventually told the EAs for both houses I don't want any more feedback and I only want buyers that can proceed.

Thank you all so, so very much for your input. I cannot believe I have had so many replies!

In respect of the electrics, we had the place rewired soon after we moved in. Many years later we had a new fuse box (or whatever it's called) under the stairs, so that it has all the trip switches. I think that was around the year 2000 or thereabouts, and we were told the wiring was in good condition then.

My husband would replace things like sockets and switches and put up new lights for me, but he never really 'did' electrics so to speak, which is why the appliances in the kitchen are like they are, with the plugs for the washing machine and fridge coming up through the work surface. I have two double sockets in what is the original sized very small kitchen, as this was what the electricians put in during the rewire.

The lean-to extention is where I keep the freezer and tumble dryer. That has three double sockets and all that was done in the mid 1980s.

I did laugh at the person who referenced Barry Bucknall. Yes I remember all that well. Our house has been very lucky in that respect, as the people who sold to us had been in it from new and had not fallen victim to the ply-boarding of original features and removal of picture rails. Because of this, a great many parts of the house are as they were originally, as we had little desire to change those things which others considered to be unfashionable. This said, in time we did replace the fireplaces in both reception rooms, as I always thought they were exceptionally ugly. I also had the downstairs internal doors changed at least twice from memory (these were what one of the viewers mentioned, as the door to the dining room no longer closes fully). But upstairs is as it always was.

Anyway, for context, my house has been priced at £280,000. The last one on the road that was in the same style as mine (1930s semi) sold for just under £300,000 about 18 months ago. Going only on the pictures, it had a large extention on the downstairs, (including a bathroom whereas I only have the original toilet that was once outside until we had the lean-to added on), the kitchen and bathrooms looked newer than mine, as did the decor, but the condition of it was much poorer, especially the garden. It looked very much a lived-in family home.

Today I had three viewings. A mixture of people. The second of those arrived at 10 o'clock as agreed, had a look round, then left. An hour later the agent called to ask if the 10 o'clock couple could come back, so I said yes. They stayed for almost an hour, looking round and asking questions. They too are downsizing, and relocating to boot, hence their desire to return to day while in the area. I honestly couldn't gauge their interest, not until they left and the agent called me again. He says they really want it. They've offered me £265,000, but I haven't said yes yet.

Thank you again for all of your support - I really do appreciate it.

No, it was yours. You said "really?" in my reply to you that it wasn't unsafe, and I replied by explaining how and why it probably was safe.

the main thrust of the post was about the gas though!

Oh I see what you mean. When I said "this", I mean the OP. People were fixating on the flexes coming through the worktop as if someone was running three cookers and a tumble-dryer from a light socket.

I'm with you now. That doesn't sound safe at all in your post.

Try them for 275 and be prepared to go down a little if it is enough for the new flat . It's not been on long and 265 is probably too low.... They will have offered low because of the changes but if they are relocating and keen you should probably get more ..

If it was last rewired in the 1970s it will definitely need rewiring!

As first time buyers we bought a house by a DIY-er :) if the price is right someone will come along

People will always change things anyway ( and older properties always have plenty to do to update , it's the internal space and location that's important..)f they want it they want it ) Don't sell too low just because it needs updating and because of what of what one viewer said .

At least now you know that it will sell, that was your biggest worry.

You might be surprised. The only time I've ever had to commission full rewires on places I have bought has been when there was rubber cable still in use (as opposed to PVC), and where someone / many people have added on to existing circuits in a dangerous way. If, as the OP has suggested, the wiring has remained undisturbed since it was installed, there is a strong possibility that all that's needed is some minimal upgrading. PVC cables are thought to be able to last a lifetime.

Tell them £275 @Downsizingandmovingon .. give it a go !! They will most likely counter offer .. don't be tempted to sell it too cheap.. someone will buy it ..

Appliances should be plugged in behind the units without wires on display ..

Nope, been an electrician since 2002 and never have had to re-wire a place built after 1965, which is when regs changed and modern twin and earth PVC cable came into use, and I've worked on thousands of properties.

I will take the point as a "should be", but are you able to tell me what is actually wrong with how my washing machine and fridge are plugged in?

It looks messy and bodged which presumably raises red flags with buyers view to other stuff

Selling your house / home is hard but you cannot take it personally .
They don't know you or your husband and may be clueless

I recently sold my beautiful house and I had some ridiculous comments .. it's ok. If someone doesn't like it .. it's often just a vibe and people make your excuses tbh to get the estate agent off the phone !

Good news about the viewing wanting to return, and the offer.

Just be prepared that you may have to provide indemnity insurance for items that don’t have official paperwork - electrics, windows, etc. This is because the conveyance solicitor has to tick off all these things to cover their backsides and also a mortgage lender will expect it. You may get asked to pay for electrical surveys or similar as well.

I have bought a 1930s semi and the dodgy DIY on that house was terrible, we had a socket that went straight into the mains and some of the plumbing was problematic. As first time buyers we had maxed out but we’re lucky to have practical parents able to help us sort it out and we had to pay for indemnity for some things when we sold as building regs etc had changed. The 1950s house we bought later was not so bad, we had to rectify few bodges but not to the same degree. Again on selling it we still had to indemnify when we couldn’t provide certification for windows installed before we owned it, etc, as the conveyancing requirements have changed since we bought it.

Get the paperwork out and get it sorted, it will help either alleviate some concerns or make the conveyancing process easier when you get to that point.

Any house will sell at the right price. You might have to adjust your expectations with regard to price.

Great news that you have an offer @Downsizingandmovingon.
Perhaps you can try to push them up to £270.
Good luck.

You can't let yourself be personally offended by these comments. They need to be taken constructively. These people are strangers, about to spend hundreds of thousands on a property. They are not there to spare your feelings regarding your husband's DIY abilities.
Please look at what could be done in the kitchen to make it more appealing. If you don't want to do anything then leave it, but please don't take any criticism about the home to heart. It's a business decision. I know you've got so much history there but emotions need to be put firmly on the back burner.

Thank your for this. I remember now my friend telling me she had to get an indemnity for her windows when she sold. No one had mentioned it when she moved in, and all the windows were in place when she bought the house. When she sold a few years later, she had to get an indemnity insurance. This was about 15 years ago.