Anyone just listing and want to join a support thread?

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We are going onto the market over the next few days, photos taken yesterday. We’re in a new build which we reserved in 2020 (completed 2021). Valuations were slightly disappointing but have gone with agents’ advice and listed at £375k.

Our motivation for moving is to apply for DD’s school next September so we are on a 12 month countdown.

Feeling a huge mix of nerves, excitement and impatience.

Fingers crossed you get them booked back in for a viewing

We went to view a house on Friday that I really wanted to love as it’s had a massive reduction after being on the market for 18 months and it’s in great area but it needs so much more work that we thought.

We had another viewing on a house on Saturday which does need some work (mostly just cosmetic) but we both loved it but it’s just over our budget and as it’s a new listing the agent didn’t think she would move on price. We’ve just got to sit tight as we don’t have an offer on ours yet and see what’s available when we do.

we had another viewing of ours on Saturday morning but they haven’t sold yet and preferred the layout and location of another house they viewed so don’t think that will come to anything. We are still waiting for feedback from another 2 viewings.

We had 4 viewings on Saturday, and our EA called today with the feedback. Unfortunately, no offers.
One viewer needs to sell their flat first and prefers a bigger house in a different area. The others have either just started their search, need more space or want better transport links.

We’re coming off the market in 3 weeks, and I’m actually starting to look forward to a bit of peace and quiet! :)
Our EA mentioned today that many buyers are waiting for the Budget announcement, and things might pick up afterwards. We’ll see!

I’ve never watched so many property market videos or read so much about house prices as I have over the past few weeks! 😂

Realistically, I’ve accepted that we might not get the price we originally hoped for. But on the positive side, the current market also puts us in a stronger position to negotiate on the house we want to buy. So hopefully, what we lose on the sale, we can make up for on our next purchase!

Very quick update on my sale - Im pleased to say, I ended up with two competing offers after 10 months on the market and ex-W and I went with a proceedable buyer who sent proof of funds, solicitor info AND a higher than we expected offer to secure it. Memo of sale recieved and all solicitors are connected. Chain is fairly short with Ex buying (I will rent to go back out as chain free) and ex's sellers are buying a no chain property.

Plenty still to do but at least I can rest in the knowledge there is a way out of this awful limbo of living with my ex wife post divorce now!

My advice for you all - a preapred buyer who already has solicitor instructed and is keen is worth more than accepting an offer from someone disorganised. We originally had an offer at much lower, before the second buyer came forward, and three weeks go by without any comms. The decision was made pretty easily when we saw the second offer appear with all the details ready.

Congratulations! Sometimes it really is worth waiting for the right buyer to come along! I hope everything goes smoothly from here.

I think this whole process has actually made me appreciate our house even more, although we still need to upsize so that each child can have their own room. So we’ll definitely be back on the market in spring, possibly with a different agent.

Our current agent is one of the biggest chains, with lots of properties on the market. However, I sometimes feel their approach is more about getting as many people through the door as possible rather than focusing on serious buyers. As it turned out, quite a few of our viewers weren’t actually in a position to proceed. We had 21 viewings and one buyer who pulled out.

I’m wondering whether switching to a smaller, more personal agency might bring a fresh approach. Although, if the market remains slow, I’m not sure how much difference changing agents will really make!

Ive had very bad experiences with the bigger chain EAs to be honest - they use your property to upsell mortgages and other services to other buyers, as its quick commission/kickbacks for them. My current EA is actually a smaller 2 man outfit, who are so much more motivated to qualify a buyers readiness and get serious folks through the door. The last big chain EA I used produced 5 viewings in 4 months. These guys produced 37 viewings and 5 offers in the last 6 months. We did have 2 chains collapse and some frankly insulting offers from folks trying to lowball us (FTB's) but in the end had 2 very strong offers to consider.

Depending on your area, id look at folks like Avocado, WHO, and similar smaller agents that dont sell other products like Mortgage brokers or converyancers - as those firms I find just want to use your listing to make a quick buck without really pushing to sell your home.

Argh, estate agent called to ask if mortgage valuer can pop round this week. I thought that's weird, they've already been weeks ago. Turns out the original mortgage company won't lend to them due to specific situation but they've found another company that will but need to have a valuation from them now.... Estate agent reckons they should be able to find out if the new mortgage is approved within a week or so. Pretty annoyed it's taken 4 weeks for this to come to light. Now need to hope that the mortgage gets approved or I'll be back on the market again. If it's rejected I'll need to consider whether to take it off the market and try again next year

I guess it’s hard to know which estate agent will deliver the best results in the end.
I originally shortlisted 3 agents but decided to go with the biggest one in the area, partly because I liked the branch manager’s approach and communication style.

It was a bit bumpy at the beginning, as I had to deal with some young, inexperienced staff. However, the manager stepped in, sorted things out, and communication improved significantly.

My hesitation about switching agents is that I’ll have to start from scratch, establishing expectations around communication, viewing feedback and the whole process again.

I think around February I’ll visit the other 2 agents on my shortlist, meet the teams in person and get a feel for how they work and what they might do differently.
Interestingly, we’ve received so many letters through the door from other estate agents saying they’ve noticed our house is on the market, that we’ve reduced the price, and offering their services. Clearly, they’re keeping a close eye on each other’s listings!
I suppose the question is whether a different agent would genuinely bring a fresh approach and new buyers, or whether we’d simply face the same market conditions.

Currently psyching myself up to contact estate agents about coming round to do valuations.
Oof.

This is precisely why I switched to a smaller independent - my thinking was that they would be more motivated to sell it, as they are smaller and dont try to upsell mortgage brokers, conveyancers or other services. The bigger firms ended up overpricing the house (there are 4 big chain EAs that did this in my area) and then whoever got the intruction did nothing for months. The only time I got viewings through the door over the 4 months I was listing with them, was when I kicked up a fuss about low/no communication from them and no feedback after viewings.

Selling a house is stressful enough - the EA is one of the most important things I think, the ones that are organised and motivated really do seem to get things done!

The market is the market - I think if we're realistic with expectations as sellers, we can find the right buyer. Price is still ulitmately king though - most homes are sat unsold because people cannot afford what folks want.

Clearly, they’re keeping a close eye on each other’s listings!
I suppose the question is whether a different agent would genuinely bring a fresh approach and new buyers, or whether we’d simply face the same market conditions.

We've had at least 5 letters from other agents. We all know the market is dire, EAs can no longer pull the wool over people's eyes the way they used to. Rightmove and Zoopla have been gamechangers. Property owners do their own research, know what investment websites say about current market conditions, etc. When we were looking in 2007, another dire market with austerity, EAs swore blind everything was fine when it just wasn't. We're a lot more switched on this time round.

EAs are desperate, they will claim they've got some magic unicorn approach but they really don't They just want more properties on their books and they'll run over hot coals barefooted to get them!

We had another viewing this afternoon. Was a bit last minute as only booked yesterday evening but our EA suggested they view as they were viewing another property in our street that they are also marketing. Don’t think an offer will be forthcoming as he wasn’t keen on the garden or the houses behind the garden. Garden is quite small but it’s a bit overlooked. Very complimentary about bedroom sizes and in particular our master suite but EA was honest and said he doesn’t expect an offer.

I’ve had a conversation with DH and said ultimately it will come down to price. We are getting viewings but no offers as yet. The issue is we can’t afford to drop too much as the gap between ours and what we’d like to buy is getting wider

So ive arranged three valuations. Could practically hear the EAs rubbing their thighs like Vic Reeves when I said 4 bed detached with double garage. There may have been heavy breathing also 😏🤪

2nd mortgage valuation happened today, so now waiting to hear back to find out if the sale is able to go ahead, still annoyed nearly 4 weeks in and despite everything being sorted my side early doors they're pratting around with mortgage valuation. The circumstances that made them ineligible for the first mortgage they'd have been more than aware of at the beginning, so don't know how we've ended up here. Worried not going to complete pre Christmas the way things are going

I honestly could wallpaper my entire house with the number of letters I've received from other agents, asking why we're still on the market, why not move to us, we're SOOO much better, blah blah blah.

I'm guessing my own agent is doing the same to other people....although I'd argue that selling the houses they've already got on their books might be better use of their time.

Am seriously considering giving our agent notice, taking ourselves off Right Move and relaunching after 12 weeks. We won't be moving to any of the agents bombarding me with letters, on principle. I don't think our guys are doing anything wrong, but feel like we need a refresh. It's all so infuriating.

We were pushed into making an offer this morning, only to have it turned down this afternoon! Which is very sad as it's the only place DH and I have both agreed on, and it was the perfect location. But as we haven't sold, the vendors are taking the other offer, even though they are now in a rush to find somewhere to go by December. And as the EA says, it's not over until the contracts are exchanged.

First EA valuation today.
Nothing but nice things to say. Commented on several of the improvements I made, unprompted.
Then suggested a realistic listing price was 50k below what we paid four years ago.

I feel sick. I thought i was being realistic expecting no increase.

Ive worked out likely costs of fees, stamp duty etc. Moving is going to wipe out all my savings and I'll be paying double in mortgage what I pay now. Im going to be so much worse off and I'm scared. Im sitting in my room and crying so the kids don't see how panicked I am.

This feels like yet another phase of the shitty shitty year I went through last year. I shouldn't have bothered putting so much work and money into redecorating. I should have just listed it as it was when my ex moved out. I probably would have got more money for it and wouldn't have spent any or knackered myself in the process. I feel so alone right now.

Make sure you get more than one estate agents opinion and look what your local marker is doing, similar houses that have sstc that are similar to yours
If you are in an area where the market is dropping it does at least mean the house you move to will also take a drop so it may not be as bad as it first seems
All fingers crossed for you, selling up is a stressful time, be easy on yourself

Oh that’s so frustrating. We were in a similar position with a house we’d seen and both liked and we had a cash buyer interested in ours so made an offer and then the cash buyer disappeared. I’m still hoping that it becomes available again. Fingers crossed they come back to you or you find something you both like as much

I’m so sorry it’s such a disappointment. Like I’m sure others have suggested get several valuations and look at sold prices of similar houses nearby. Some houses are still selling really quickly even in a slow market. We saw one we really liked that had loads of interest and multiple offers above asking price so there is still interest out there for the right houses. Chin up and I hope you feel a bit better about it all

Yeah, two more coming on Monday. He showed me other comparable houses currently on the market for the price he suggested, but i suppose Feb, when i want to list, is still a coupla months away and i can live in hope.

There's a big infrastructure project they finished building in town two years ago, but its still not operational. If that magically opens the it would have a positive effect on prices in town and were moving to the next town over so it would help.

The apartment we liked, the ground floor and cellars of a huge, Georgian house is not really a sensible option for 70 year olds. We had already told our sensible minds we should walk away, but the romantics in us were up for a two year refurbishment costing at least £80k in double glazing alone. I think we shall be pleased we didn't pursue it hard, but if it comes back to the market I shall want to have another look. I do not see many properties that I like enough to show DH, and he hates most of them. This was perfect, but expensive to perfect. The location was ideal, the maintenance was good to excellent.

Our offer was declined, because we have yet to sell, but I still think we might get it.

Oh Chilly, I feel for you. Get some more valuations and tell the agent what you think the house is worth, do your own research which I think you have ? They may be just looking for a quick sale with minimum effort to turn some money over, esp in this dire climate. Sending solidarity.

it’s such a stressful process, I know how you feel and I’m sorry you feel like that. I think it’s worth getting three or more EAs opinions and doing your research with a clear head.

I’d ask the EA what the sales strategy is - it seems in this market, buyers have the power and with mortgage rates being higher, folks can’t afford what they once could. My house (under offer) sold for £20k below what I paid for it in 2022, the market showed no interest in even paying what I did for it back then. It’s the mortgage rates and affordability.

however - if they are pricing it to get people through the door, that’s not a bad thing, you don’t need to accept these lower offers. I’ve viewed a lot of houses that looked under what I expected on the listing, and found when I made an offer the EAs had priced it lower to get competing offers. If that’s the case, and you end up with three offers, then you can negotiate the price up to be close to what you want. If that happens you have the leverage.

otherwise you will probably get low balled and end up cutting the asking price, chasing the market down and with no leverage - sadly buyers have the power in this market now.