Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Original poster

Can’t sell house! Help

27 replies

MrsM184 · 09/10/2025 15:06

So my mum passed in last year suddenly, she lived in our family home with my younger brother (still in his 30s).

house is far to big for him so we’ve put it on the market and been looking at smaller apartments. He’s also having some health issues at the minute and has autism so this upheaval is no good for him.

First agent in June promised the world, tied us into a 12 week contract and got us 4 viewings!!! Second agent is only a 4 week contract and got us 10 viewings.

Feedback is positive, like the house, large plot etc but some have commented on small upstairs. Completely fair enough and nothing we can do about that. There’s also very similar properties in our area in a slightly higher price bracket that are probably better presented.

We have found ourselves in a rut where we just want rid of this bloody house so we can move on. We have even considered these house buying companies that knock off up to 20% of the value! I know we are barmy but getting desperate.

Looking for someone to give me a virtual kick up the backside and make me realise it WILL sell, these things just take time!

OP posts:
ThisBadTimeIsTakingForever · 09/10/2025 15:08

It will sell IF the price is right. What is is listed at, and how does that compare to the valuations they each gave?

Fibrous · 09/10/2025 15:14

How much is it on for? A lot of people are watching and waiting if >£500K to see what the budget brings.

ThisBadTimeIsTakingForever · 09/10/2025 15:16

Also, would you consider posting a link? Some people can be really helpful in giving you pointers that may help it look more inviting for sale- although some posters are brutal/rude so don’t post if you feel it may be upsetting to hear criticism about your DMs home.
Sorry for your loss Flowers

ItsOnlyHobnobs · 09/10/2025 15:21

When you say similar properties are on the market for a higher price, what’s the actual difference in price?

Getting work done is very expensive at the moment. If a home is nicely decorated with an updated bathroom and kitchen, that is going to cost quite a bit for someone to do themselves.

But also, are the higher priced properties moving? Have you spoken to your agents about how many properties are actually being sold/what the sale price was compared to listed price.

babyproblems · 09/10/2025 15:22

Lower the price. It’s always the price. X

stillhiding1990 · 09/10/2025 15:24

How much smaller is the upstairs? Is it a bungalow conversion? Surely the downstairs is the same size u less you have prominent eves

GasPanic · 09/10/2025 15:33

How many times have you lowered the price so far ?

It will sell if you price it appropriately.

XVGN · 09/10/2025 15:34

Please DON'T post a link. Your brother doesn't need everyone knowing his business.

MiddleAgedDread · 09/10/2025 15:41

A large plot isn't that appealing to a lot of buyers, people can be put off by too much garden to maintain! And an unbalanced upstairs / downstairs will also put people off.
I think just the cost of living is going up so rapidly that people are hesitating to move, particularly upsize and increase their mortgage unless they really need.

P00hsticks · 09/10/2025 15:51

We have even considered these house buying companies that knock off up to 20% of the value! I know we are barmy but getting desperate.

From what I've heard they'll knock off considerably more than 20% - and will often try to gazunder you further at the last second before exchange. They're aiming for a very quick turnaorund and a good profit, after all.

i think a traditional auction (NOT the Modern Method of Auction) is more likely to get it sold at a reasonable price, and you can put a reserve on it

(but I've no first hand experience of either auction houses or house buying ocmanies, so the above is all hearsay)..

Pleasealexa · 09/10/2025 15:55

The market is very slow in most areas and I still think estate agents are over pricing, was the price lowered?

Does the listing have a floor plan?

Twiglets1 · 09/10/2025 15:59

If you are getting desperate enough to consider a house buying company and a 20% reduction, why not first try reducing by 10% via your current EA.

A 10% reduction is significant and should encourage some new interest hopefully.

ErlingHaalandsManBun · 09/10/2025 17:02

P00hsticks · 09/10/2025 15:51

We have even considered these house buying companies that knock off up to 20% of the value! I know we are barmy but getting desperate.

From what I've heard they'll knock off considerably more than 20% - and will often try to gazunder you further at the last second before exchange. They're aiming for a very quick turnaorund and a good profit, after all.

i think a traditional auction (NOT the Modern Method of Auction) is more likely to get it sold at a reasonable price, and you can put a reserve on it

(but I've no first hand experience of either auction houses or house buying ocmanies, so the above is all hearsay)..

Please don't use one of these companies.

My friend used one earlier this year as his wife was dying from cancer and they desperately wanted to move her nearer the hospital and somewhere with better options. They knocked 20% off initially. A week before exchange they received a phone call saying they have had to review the offer and they knocked another £20K off their offer. Being desperate they agreed. The day before exchange they called again knocking another 20K off. They couldn't go with that as it would have left them not being able to afford their new home so it fell through at the last hurdle. My friend practically begged and pleaded not to do this as they were desperate and needed the hospital facilities but it did no good.

My friends wife is now in a hospice, out of options and they never did move.

WallaceinAnderland · 09/10/2025 17:06

A week before exchange they received a phone call saying they have had to review the offer and they knocked another £20K off their offer.

They always do this. Much better to just drop the price yourself OP so that you at least remain in charge of how much you are willing to sell for. Or ask the agent to change the wording to 'offers invited' to indicate that you're flexible over the asking price.

CountAdhemar · 09/10/2025 18:10

You have to reduce the price before even considering a house buying company. They are vultures. I wouldn't consider one on principle. If priced right, your house will sell. Don't let the agent control pricing, tell them what to do.

TakeMe2Insanity · 09/10/2025 18:38

Could your brother live somewhere else in the interim, so you can declutter/minimalise and paint white? Just to help people see past things?
I will also say buyers are super fickle my property just completed which had been renovated, painted and done. It was on the market for nearly 2 years price came down 10% in the end.

rainingsnoring · 09/10/2025 21:02

How much have you reduced the price by so far? The market isn't good in most areas and most people are not keen to take on work unless the price makes it worthwhile.

PyjamasForever · 09/10/2025 22:14

I’d try dropping the price before doing to a property buying company. The whole market is really slow while people wait to hear the autumn budget announcement.

If it’s any consolation we’ve seen a house similar sounding to yours and would love to make an offer, but we’re waiting for our house to sell. Perhaps one of your viewers is doing the same?!

SpidersAreShitheads · 10/10/2025 03:23

We struggled to sell my DM's house because of unusual proportions. I posted a link on here, and got excellent advice which helped it sell.

Some posters can be a bit brutal, but as long as you have a thick skin, you'll find really intuitive advice alondside some of the blunter comments.

Would your brother be willing to allow you to share the link on here?

But without seeing the house, my question would be how much work needs to be done and what's the difference in price compared to the well-presented houses? Good builders are an absolute bastard to find and lots of people just don't want the faff. Add to that a slow market, wobbly economy, and an impending budget, and it's the perfect storm.

Your new EA is getting people through the door so it's unlikely to be anything to do with poor photos. Something is putting them off when they're there - does the house smell damp? Any problems that weren't evident in the photos? Is it overly cluttered or do any repairs look worse in real life? Does it need a good clean and a declutter? Could you do anything to make upstairs look bigger - get rid of surplus furniture for example? Make sure you're maximising space with a clever layout?

At the right price every house will sell but things are slow right now. It can be tortuous waiting to find a buyer so it's worth getting all the help you can.

DrySherry · 10/10/2025 07:24

Twiglets1 · 09/10/2025 15:59

If you are getting desperate enough to consider a house buying company and a 20% reduction, why not first try reducing by 10% via your current EA.

A 10% reduction is significant and should encourage some new interest hopefully.

I would do this, and then if it didn't bring in an offer within a month then reduce again another 10%.
It will definitely sell once you hit the right price point
We buy any house will work on it not being worth your asking price by 20% and then offer another 10% less than that at best. They are swamped with interest at the moment too because of the market stagnating.
Have an honest conversation with your agent - ask them at what price level can they guarantee multiple interested parties.

HangryBrickShark · 10/10/2025 07:26

ErlingHaalandsManBun · 09/10/2025 17:02

Please don't use one of these companies.

My friend used one earlier this year as his wife was dying from cancer and they desperately wanted to move her nearer the hospital and somewhere with better options. They knocked 20% off initially. A week before exchange they received a phone call saying they have had to review the offer and they knocked another £20K off their offer. Being desperate they agreed. The day before exchange they called again knocking another 20K off. They couldn't go with that as it would have left them not being able to afford their new home so it fell through at the last hurdle. My friend practically begged and pleaded not to do this as they were desperate and needed the hospital facilities but it did no good.

My friends wife is now in a hospice, out of options and they never did move.

Show quote history

How f*** disgusting.

Original poster
MrsM184 · 10/10/2025 09:48

Thank you all so much for the replies. Apologies I’m only just coming back to you, I’m new to posting so trying to get to grips with it 🤣

The house buying gods must’ve heard my plea and we’ve had an offer 🙌🏻

I think I was just being mega impatient.

Thanks again 😊

OP posts:
Twiglets1 · 10/10/2025 10:28

MrsM184 · 10/10/2025 09:48

Thank you all so much for the replies. Apologies I’m only just coming back to you, I’m new to posting so trying to get to grips with it 🤣

The house buying gods must’ve heard my plea and we’ve had an offer 🙌🏻

I think I was just being mega impatient.

Thanks again 😊

That’s great - thanks for the update!

rainingsnoring · 10/10/2025 11:00

MrsM184 · 10/10/2025 09:48

Thank you all so much for the replies. Apologies I’m only just coming back to you, I’m new to posting so trying to get to grips with it 🤣

The house buying gods must’ve heard my plea and we’ve had an offer 🙌🏻

I think I was just being mega impatient.

Thanks again 😊

Congratulations. Let's hope for no hiccups along the way!

PyjamasForever · 10/10/2025 13:13

MrsM184 · 10/10/2025 09:48

Thank you all so much for the replies. Apologies I’m only just coming back to you, I’m new to posting so trying to get to grips with it 🤣

The house buying gods must’ve heard my plea and we’ve had an offer 🙌🏻

I think I was just being mega impatient.

Thanks again 😊

Congratulations… but now I’m wondering if your house is the similar sounding house I liked which has vanished from rightmove today!! 😮