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.

I mean how else are they supposed to be plugged in?

Sockets for under-counter appliances should be under the worktop. The hole in the worktop makes cleaning harder and, if a spill gets down the hole, will cause the chipboard to swell, grow mould, and fall apart.

That's a really good offer and the buyers are in a great position! If it's enough for you to move I'd be tempted to accept because the market is so quiet at the moment.

Get your estate agent to counter at 270 and accept that. It’s only 3.5% off asking, and you should easily be able to negotiate similarly on your forward purchase.

I absolutely second this - be very skeptical of your EA. They are after a quick and easy sale, so it is in their interest to convince you that your home is not worth the asking price (bet they've valued it low, which is why you have viewers immediately), so you will be happy to accept a quick offer and think they are great. The % they make does not change materially enough to actually care greatly about the price you receive - they just want to flog it.

You have only just put your house on the market and have multiple viewings. If your house is priced to allow for an update - who cares what the kitchen etc is like?! They will replace it.

Please do not worry. Hold out for a reasonable price - if you have enjoyed living in your home for 50 years, it is almost certainly a good place to live. People want to redecorate, so your house is a 'find'. And not all first time buyers are serious or particularly knowledgeable about what is important in a new house - that's how they get stuck with things done 'up to the eye' rather than easy to live in and solid - so don't take negative comments to heart.

Goodluck and well done for taking next step, some never do and leave it all too late. I really hope you get a good sake & enjoy your next place.

It is very positive that you've had an offer, even if you end up not accepting it. Somebody will want to buy it. We have twice bought family homes from elderly widowers - only bought the second one as needed to relocate for work.

Many people are understandably wary of DIY-ed homes. Our second one had been terribly maintained by a man who didn't seem to have a clue what he was doing. We kept finding more and more wrong, despite a detailed survey and planning and budgeting for a renovation.

Costs have sky-rocketed. One our first home, we spent about £100k over more than ten years gradually doing it up as we saved up. We started with a full rewire. Our second home, it cost more than £100k just to get it to a safe standard to move into with a child. I'm talking roof, electrics, unsupported structural walls, new central heating, windows. Fortunately we could afford
that from the equity from our first home without having to extend our mortgage. Both of our homes cost more than yours is up for, so the potential costs are very high for the value of the house.

Has it been maintained recently? If your husband did all of that but died several years ago and was maybe not well before that (no idea if that was the case) then it may have deteriorated gradually so you won't have noticed. Our first home it looked like they'd done regular maintenance into the 1990s, then stopped as it got into the 2000s. I find we've had to do something every year to keep on top of things.

Along with increased costs of work, life is very different now. It sounds like you bought as FTB in your 20s. We were buying a doer upper in our 40s/50s with a young child, so a completely different energy level and amount of free time available.

Good luck! Somebody will love it. I've loved both of our houses bought in similar circumstances.

Please try not to quote the whole OP, it takes up a big chunk of page on the thread and no need for it at all.

Wow.

Why wow? If everyone did it how irritating do you think it would be with every page half filled with the original question repeated x 10!

how irritating do you think it would be with every page half filled with the original question repeated x 10!

I have never given it a thought.

That’s great news about the offer OP.

Also because it’s from proper grown ups who have owned houses before, they are less likely to be scared off by a bit of work needed or a survey saying xyz needs updating.

@Zebedee999 Are you only ageist to the younger generation?

Fascinating thread - and it's so sad how little so many people understand now about the basic functions of the world around them. People are so anxious about "safety" yet have no understanding of what that means beyond "must look brand new" and "must have certificate". Electrics, plumbing, structures are all very basic "science", I think there's something very wrong with society/education if we are teaching people that this is stuff that we should be scared of and that you have to be a magic expert to understand.

Thats exactly and purposely what has been done. My son wants to be an apprentice to learn gas/electrics and mechanics. Its not his end game career but he wants those life skills at the beginning of his journey.

I would be tempted to counter with £275k OP, it's only been on the market a couple of weeks. Xx Especially if a neighbours house went for £300k But totally up to you. x

Whatever they do, they should be the ones to do the work on the Putney House and take the profit rather than sell it as is.

I don't know KG, but Putney is a great place to live. I can fully see why they what want to be more central if they never plan on having kids, but having lived in Putney (pre kids!) I think it has the perfect balance of plenty going on locally, nice open space near by, and quick and easy into central London.

If it helps, I have recently bought a house that needs a full overhaul. It’s damp, mould and mildew free but needs updating in every sense. Little DIY jobs didn’t put me off as I knew the whole place would be refurbished.

I think it's not a fear just for their own safety. It's more fear if inaurance won't pay without these certs if something happens. Or that it's dodgy and will cost £££ to repair.
I had few run ins with business inaurance companies and fuck me. You lose will to live and wonder why are you even paying it when they wiggle out. Luckily never had to claim on my home one but I understand they are also not easy to pay out.

How did you respond to the offer of 265k @Downsizingandmovingon ?

It was a decent offer. Personally I would have tried to get another 5k out of them but hope you have agreed a price now and are proceeding with the sale.

Yes, I'm also wondering how you are getting on with the offer. Whilst it would be nice to get a bit more than they are offering, my view is that if you can afford it, I'd agree a price with these prospective buyers quickly and move to the next stage. There's a lot of emotion bound up here (understandably) so you don't want to get bogged down in what can already be a frustrating process. We are now 10 months into the process since we first listed and are fast running out of steam as it's taking ages to get to exchange. Anything you can do to shorten the timeframe is worth it in my opinion, even if you lose a few bob in the process. That's if you can afford to take the hit of course.