Please tell me why this flat isnt selling?

[curiouscat1987]

Posting this for a family member. Flat has been on the market for months and not only hasnt had any offers but hasnt even had a single viewing! The price was in line with the area, but has been dropped twice and agent changed too with new photos but still no viewings. Its a lovely little place, not the biggest but lovely and bright and quite modern. Im not the best at design etc so would appreciate any thoughts on what they could do to improve the desireability or improve for the photos etc to get some more interest?

Obviously they know they can drop the price, however if they drop it much more they'll be selling for what they bought for 10 years ago!

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/156450941#/?channel=RES_BUY

Thanks everyone ☺️

@JustMeAndTheFish and @IBloodyLoveMyBlanket I assume agents think withholding this pertinent information draws in prospective buyers, whereas, in reality, the lack of information puts them off. Big time.

So many pp have thought this flat's in a high rise modern block. Abject fail by the agency.

I looked on streetview and actually thought it's a top floor attic conversion in a double fronted Victorian detached property.

That many photos of the "view" indicate they're hiding something (well to me they do). Plus the sloping ceilings and what looks like a loft conversion would put me off. To say nothing of the "kitchen/lounge" with no separation and cooking smells everywhere.

I would need this to be a very good bargain to even consider it.

Where is the character?

Take the aerial photos out and put in more interior photos from different angles in all the rooms. The bathroom and kitchen doesn't look much at all so more photos as kitchens and bathrooms sell property. Add a photo of the outside of the building, entrance way. Is there any parking or outside space, if so photograph that for inclusion too.

There's only one reason why it's not selling... no one is prepared to pay what they are asking for it. No seller is guaranteed to re-coup what they spend buying a property, when they then go on to sell it. Harsh, but true.

Did I spot painted over mould or water staining in 2nd bedroom?
Considerably over priced. Reduce by £100,000.

"Where is the character?"

I was wondering that too! The flats in the original building below may have lots of character but this is a converted attic with new windows, I can't see any character at all in it and they haven't even attempted to create any!

I haven’t read the whole thread I’m afraid but from the pictures I immediately assumed this was a high rise tower block, which post-Grenfell is very unattractive. Having now clicked on the brochure I can see that it’s actually in a very attractive house! Why on earth isn’t this in the main photos that you swipe through? And in the descriptive text?

I’d say it’s because the ceilings look very low, especially in the kitchen which doesn’t look well-designed. It seems there is no storage space and options are limited? There is probably an ongoing supply of properties on the market that are a similar spec but have the winning edge.

That's my area. It's not excessively overpriced but probably worth 295k at the most, but the photos aren't great.
I think it may have been a one bed and they've made the kitchen into a second bedroom.
Photos are lots better in the brochure.

1. Your photos are doing you no favours.

Move the stuff from the front room. Get better pics and lots of them of all the internal rooms. Photo of the entrance. My estate agents, with just their mobile phones, took pics that made everything look huge! You need people to come and have a look and you will get a buyer.

1. I don't know the Brighton market but the price looks high. I'm selling a good sized 2 bed in London zone 4, near station and shops where the second bedroom is awkward shape, prob only fit a single bed but plus a small bathroom. Everything newly decd and carpeted. On sale for £275k.

You need people through the door and then really consider your pricing.

It’s too expensive and it looks like a poorly made new build. People that choose to live in Victorian houses that have been split into flats would probably want some original features and charm.

1.Half the photos are of Brighton rooves and not the flat! And you definitely need more photos than four! Are you sure the agents know what they are doing?!

2.I'd want curtains in my sitting room and some ideas of storage. At least two photos and one showing what's through the French Windows. Also where is the storage or any books? Is it just a sofa and a TV?

1. The kitchen doesn't seem to have a kettle toaster or microwave. What is the hob like? It's a really awkward picture and I can't work out head clearance or where you cook? Where is the fridge or dishwasher or bin? It's an ugly view totally lacking in vital information.

1. The bathroom doesn't show a shower or toilet, just an ugly cupboard. Again, where do I store my bits and pieces - even my toothbrush or towel? What is the head clearance for the shower?

5.The bedroom looks very small and there are supposed to be two. Where is the photo of the other bedroom?!

I think the flat needs dressing to make it seem less like an ex-rental and you need at least two photos of each area, then the balcony and the communal and outside areas too.

Bedroom 2 needs to be dressed as a bedroom. At the moment it's a random corner with some desks in and it's a seriously ugly pic. It's not huge but make it a lovely single bedroom, maybe with a desk too. Otherwise it's a one-bed with an office, not a two-bed. And what's with the toilet rolls?

We bought our house and were the only viewers in a year. We worked from the floor plan and ignored the depressing decor and terrible photos. It's a lovely property now but even our solicitor asked if we were sure we wanted to buy it.

Most houses here get snapped up. People just couldn't see beyond the magnolia walls and terrible photos so didn't even bother viewing.

Nice views but looks a bit empty x

The decor is boring, (sorry), grey, looks like a rental, needs some 'life' in the photos, making it look like a home rather than a bachelor pad. Photos aren't great are they? the house needs 'dressing'

OMG it's dreadful. Sorry @curiouscat1987 It looks like someone has had their loft converted for their teenage daughter, so she has her own 'space.' It's a teenage person's dwellingplace. Not a home for adults long term...

I would definitely not buy it. And I would NOT pay £320,000. It's around £100,000 overpriced .. It's such a tiny flat. The pictures are terrible, and as pps have said, there are only 8 photos and only 5 of the flat. It looks poky and claustrophobic. Where is the fire exit as you are clearly at the top of the house/in a loft conversion? What parking does it have? Which house/flat is it?!

It does say share of freehold, but not much else.

Thanks again to everyone who responded with their thoughts!

Just to reiterate, the flat isnt mine, but a relatives, so im not really in a position to answer some of the questions, but theres been some really useful points raised and I'll be feeding that back to them. I did suggest to them that it maybe needed a professional dresser if they werent able to do it themselves, but they werent keen. I'll suggest it again, along with all the other crucial changes like new agent, lots of new photos, clarification on certain issues in the listing etc.

Its funny how stuff seems so obvious when other people point it out to you, but when you know the property yourself you just cant see it with fresh eyes!

Thanks everyone ☺️

I live nearby. I've scrolled by it because of sloping ceilings. I also am weary of flats, leasehold / share of freehold.

Things in the description like “the modern kitchen is a chef’s dream” are an insult to the intelligence of potential buyers.

Just realised by looking in the brochure the entire flat is basically in the roof space which explains all the sloping roofs on one side.
I think that’s what is putting people off
Plus the price which is a lot, and yes I do know Brighton but if you work out the £/m2 of other flats and maisonettes you’ll see whilst this one is priced similarly the others aren’t in the roof.

There are others up for sale at the moment which seem like better deals.
Also remember whilst mortgage rates are going down a lot of people have already put their offers in to beat the Stamp Duty hike, so there are less people looking at the moment.

Bad photos OP. EA needs to not feature sofa and bed that makes them look huge and the space small. Also don't make triangle window and skylight a feature

I was 100% sure it was a high-rise and those photos were of the view from the flat!

Frankly, if the person is “not keen” to use a professional dresser/stager then it’s their own stupid fault if they can’t sell the flat for the price they want. He (it’s SO obviously a he) can’t even make a bed nicely but whatever, he knows best.

I’d be leaving him to it to be honest, there’s no helping some people.