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Why aren’t we getting more viewings? Honest feedback welcome

451 replies

Diva78 · 23/09/2026 11:16

We’re selling our four-bedroom townhouse in Bicester and have reached the point where we’d really value some completely impartial opinions.

We originally listed at £425k, have since changed estate agents, reduced the price to £400k, changed the lead photo and updated the kitchen cupboards to give them a more neutral look.

Despite all that, we’ve still had very few viewings and hardly any interest coming directly through Rightmove.

We know townhouses and three-storey living won’t appeal to everyone, and there are larger semis and detached houses available nearby. However, our house has good square footage, three bathrooms, flexible living and home-working space, a garage, driveway parking and a quieter position on the estate.

Would anyone be willing to look at the listing and give me some honest but constructive feedback? Is it the price, layout, photos, description or something else we’re just not seeing?

50, Fontwell Road, Bicester, Oxfordshire, OX26 1BP - Estate Agents in Bicester, Oxfordshire | Barton Fleming

Thank you!

50, Fontwell Road, Bicester, Oxfordshire, OX26 1BP - Estate Agents in Bicester, Oxfordshire | Barton Fleming

50, Fontwell Road, Bicester, Oxfordshire, OX26 1BP - Estate Agents in Bicester, Oxfordshire | Barton Fleming

Entrance Hall and Cloakroom Ground Floor Family Room and Kitchen Diner First Floor Landing with Staircase to Second Floor First Floor Living Room…

https://bartonfleming.more-homes.co.uk/PropertyDetails/352148/50,%20Fontwell%20Road,%20Bicester,%20Oxfordshire,%20OX26%201BP

OP posts:
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Marmalade71 · 30/09/2026 11:29

Fundamentally it’s the price. Sadly a reduction from 425 to OIRO 400 is not really a reduction that reflects the current market. I know this sounds brutal but you need to be equally tight with the house you’re looking to buy too.
The house has loads of space but lacks any curb appeal. Will there be a way of connecting an EV pod? That will be a concern to any buyer where the drive is not directly next to the house. If there will be and I’m missing it, make that clear.

Diva78 · 30/09/2026 11:30

Thanks all for the continued thoughts.

We have already had a second set of photographs taken so will not be having any more done. We have had the photo arrangement adjusted.

Based on recent local sales, the house is priced appropriately for the current market.

OP posts:
godmum56 · 30/09/2026 11:40

Diva78 · 30/09/2026 11:30

Thanks all for the continued thoughts.

We have already had a second set of photographs taken so will not be having any more done. We have had the photo arrangement adjusted.

Based on recent local sales, the house is priced appropriately for the current market.

well there we are then.

disgracefullyyours · 30/09/2026 12:04

The last house most similar to yours sold for £405k two years ago. The market has drastically changed during that time. Adding to your situation is that one of your neighbours has reduced their house today to the same price as yours.

fashionqueen0123 · 30/09/2026 12:11

Diva78 · 24/09/2026 12:34

One of the EA partners is a professional photographer....

We have already reduced by 25K.

But you’ve put OIEO? Get rid of that bit. It doesn’t come across as a reduction

nellly · 30/09/2026 12:22

Diva78 · 24/09/2026 09:55

Hosepipe ban....

Businesses are exempt I believe so get a guy to come jet wash for you.
you keep responding saying “there is a garden” but I think what people are getting at is that they don’t consider some patio flags with a fence a ‘garden’.

you could get some lovely pots and autumn flowering plants and take them with you when you move

Tessasanderson · 30/09/2026 12:31

Coming to this fresh.....you are not going to like this.

I wouldnt even look at this house if it had a price advantage over others. Its just all wrong. The advert is terrible. The pictures are terrible. The lack of effort to show the house in its best state is terrible by both the owner and the estate agent. It reflects really poorly on you.

But my main issue is the house itself. It looks borderline like a HMO. The fixtures and fittings do not show any care or character. My first impression would be that the house has not been cared for. Either remove it all which i guess is impossible unless you have another house or seriously stage the house properly and get it tidied up.

My DS went and looked at a similar townhouse recently and it was 100x better than this one (half the price too but up north). Fancy floors, brand new kitchen. Staged correctly with lovely furniture. He put in a bid but was rejected. Rather than improve his bid he just decided to move on even though he could easily afford it. His point being he is in no hurry and prices will probably come down. The house is still for sale and IMO will still be for sale for a good while yet.

Its a buyers market and even houses that stand out and look amazing need to compete on price. A house that doesnt even stand out must be priced extremely aggressively to stand a chance.

KeepPumping · 30/09/2026 13:41

disgracefullyyours · 30/09/2026 12:04

The last house most similar to yours sold for £405k two years ago. The market has drastically changed during that time. Adding to your situation is that one of your neighbours has reduced their house today to the same price as yours.

Yes, pricing on 2 years ago is not going to work at all.

KeepPumping · 30/09/2026 13:43

disgracefullyyours · 30/09/2026 12:04

The last house most similar to yours sold for £405k two years ago. The market has drastically changed during that time. Adding to your situation is that one of your neighbours has reduced their house today to the same price as yours.

The OP needs to go to 375k immediately, before the neighbour does.

JediNinja · 30/09/2026 13:46

The first thing I'd recommend is to do a search in Rightmove of your postcode, half a mile out, and check the "BUY" properties with STC (you need to toggle this on) and also the "SOLD" properties for the last 6 months (different tab menu at the top). That will give you a very good idea of what is selling, how is being marketed, how it is presented, what the price range might be, etc. If you also look at the last month or two and check when they were listed, you can get an idea of how long it's taking to sell, whether any sold within weeks and what they had that you don't, etc

You probably have already addressed most of the comments so far but as someone right in the middle of selling and buying, I have been looking at lots of listings lately and these would be my thoughts:

When I first looked at the listing, I thought you had no bath and I was about to close the app to mention this when I noticed the pic with it. Can you move that pic towards the first lot and before you show all the other shower rooms?

The first lot of pictures gives a cold/sanitised look that's uninviting. The second lot gives a cluttered look that's also uninviting. Neither would put me off completely from arranging a viewing if I were wanting to move into the area and there were not many choices. But if there are other properties that are better presented and I had limited time to do viewings, I would go see those other ones first and might end up not seeing yours. I would get a door for that wardrobe with clothes and teddies, that's what I did with my son's because it was a similar situation. It just gives the impression that there's not enough storage, same with the TV so high on that shelving unit. The house is a good size but it's not coming across that way in the pictures. People looking at the bedrooms might not be thinking about how they could enjoy that space but about how to reorganise and get storage or put things away, which is not what will get you a viewing. In the living areas, I have the opposite impression, it's so neat and clear that I don't picture a family enjoying the space. Of course that I can imagine it, but it's not giving me those vibes and my gut is not telling me to arrange a viewing because I want to see myself in it. That's what you might need, to present it so people see themselves enjoying that space and minimise the mental lists of things they want to change or clear out. Now, most people can see through. But if there are other properties getting the viewings because they are presented just that extra bit better, it might mean that the buyers are not checking yours because they are busy checking first those other ones and maybe putting an offer somewhere else before they go to yours. The house we bought had that issue. It had been there for a while when others were selling, but the pictures were uninviting and it wasn't getting viewings. Good for us, I guess, as we could see through them, but the seller was puzzled.

I would simplify the kids rooms for the pics (just move most teddies away), remove clutter, make the beds to look a bit more inviting (i.e. look at how shops and house magazines present them, pillows and cushions on top, only one throw if any, etc), add some warming touches to the common living spaces such as plants, rugs, lamps, etc. Taking it even much further if you can, for those who cannot imagine themselves in the space at all, maybe have a couple of nice wine glasses or fancy coffee mugs on a tray, fruit bowl with fresh arranged fruit more visible, a couple of stacked nice books, some chess or board game that looks nice, sun chairs outside or little table and chairs with summery cushions, etc. I did most of that with mine, except the wine/coffee glasses, but I removed all the counter top appliances and only left the kettle and the espresso machine, to draw attention to that. I'm not saying make it Instagramable, but definitely "present a moment" with each room, be it relaxing at night, family games, reading in bed, movie night, working from home, etc. Try to think what's the best about that room and present it around that, remove the rest for the picture. It's worth the extra couple of hours it takes.

Halfblindbunny · 30/09/2026 13:54

You need to list for something under £400k so you show up in more people's searches. Also the red curtains scream "student let" to me so I would get rid. I haven't read the full thread so sorry if this has been explained but the photo with the cars makes me thing parking might be a nightmare especially if you have more than one car

myheadsjustmush · 30/09/2026 13:57

It's a nice house, but I get the 'bachelor pad' vibes from the pics.

The garden is not very big at all, which may put off some families.

Whilst there is a garage, I get the impression it would be pretty chaotic parking wise when everyone is at home with their cars / visitors cars. This may put off a lot of people too.

I hope you get an offer soon OP.

Gobbledegoo · 30/09/2026 16:02

You have an agent that isn't motivated and just going through the motions! Next time you want to move pick an agent that has a proven advertising record: photos done correctly and the description makes you want to view. This agent has failed on all fronts, did you pick them on the cheapest price alone?

godmum56 · 30/09/2026 18:29

looking at her last post, I don't think the OP is coming back.

ParrotPeach · 30/09/2026 18:44

watchingthishtread · 23/09/2026 11:57

I don't think that any of the points raised about the soul or the curtains are going to be what's preventing viewings. If you are in the market for a house you're not going to discount a house without even a viewing because you don't like the colour of the curtains. You will discount it if it's priced at more than the current market will pay.

Obviously it would make sense for this to be true, but we found that was definitely not the case! Buyers really can’t look past even minor decor choices.

Our house had two rooms which were painted bright but still fairly mainstream colours. Nothing garish, hard to paint over or that made the rooms feel different than neutrals would. It sat on the market for 9 months in 2024. We came off the market for six months, painted those two rooms beige and it sold in 6 weeks for £30k higher than our price in 2024. And that was just paint that would easily have been fixed by the buyers.

somanychristmaslights · 30/09/2026 19:42

In the new post, there’s no pictures of your garden at all now?

JoyfulSpring · 01/10/2026 11:42

If it isn't getting viewings or offers it isn't priced correctly, sorry. Good luck, hopefully you'll sell but this thread alone should tell you it won't be at 400k+

KeepPumping · 02/10/2026 00:48

JoyfulSpring · 01/10/2026 11:42

If it isn't getting viewings or offers it isn't priced correctly, sorry. Good luck, hopefully you'll sell but this thread alone should tell you it won't be at 400k+

Agreed, the price should definitely not start with a 4.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/other/uk-borrowing-costs-soar-as-gilt-yields-hit-6-for-first-time-since-1998/ar-AA2dkZLp

MSN

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/other/uk-borrowing-costs-soar-as-gilt-yields-hit-6-for-first-time-since-1998/ar-AA2dkZLp

ItsOnlyMee1 · 02/10/2026 12:44

Photos are much improved. But I think you need to remove OIEO. For it's size the price might be okay but the property has the significant drawbacks of 3 storey and lack of garden space.

Tangointhenight1 · 02/10/2026 21:29

that garden is insane, you bought the house in 2017 and not a single thing planted.... the price is wild as the whole thing needs updating.

estrogone · 02/10/2026 22:36

The photos are even worse now than they were. I get no clear idea of the garden and the red curtains in the lounge are truly off-putting.

Most importantly though there is just no warmth in the home. It feels sterile. This coild be fixed with some texture, greenery, lamps and artwork.

You have two options OP.

Stage the place properly, pot plants, garden redone, front of house refreshed. Probs going to cost £10k.

Or drop the price by £30k to £370k.

Abigbowlofveg · 03/10/2026 15:14

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KeepPumping · 04/10/2026 00:16

estrogone · 02/10/2026 22:36

The photos are even worse now than they were. I get no clear idea of the garden and the red curtains in the lounge are truly off-putting.

Most importantly though there is just no warmth in the home. It feels sterile. This coild be fixed with some texture, greenery, lamps and artwork.

You have two options OP.

Stage the place properly, pot plants, garden redone, front of house refreshed. Probs going to cost £10k.

Or drop the price by £30k to £370k.

30k drop would be a good start.