What’s wrong with my house?

[Blueysothermother]

House been on the market since Easter, it’s in the catchment for the much sought after local grammar, well priced, was valued originally at £595,000. We had an offer for £575,750 which we accepted during the summer hols but then fell though due to reasons unrelated to the house. We need to relocate, so dropped the price, even though much larger than most houses in the surrounding streets and better parking. Estate agents can offer no constructive feedback that I can act upon. I get that it’s not all grey etc but it’s a period house and has a wealth of features intact. Any ideas?
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/91344150

Personally I think it’s lovely but it might be better to market as a 3 bed.

What are the white holes above the door? And the shadowy marks?

It is SO expensive getting any work done now and I’d be thinking it needs a new kitchen, the pipework boxing in done properly, the walls in the yellow room look in a bad way. The lean to looks like it’s going to need replacing soon. The money is just racking up and up the more I look. It’s got potential but it’s saying doer upper. When you’re maxing out your affordability with interest rates so high, and trades being so expensive it’s not such an attractive prospect.

I think it’s gorgeous. I think the kitchen lets it down but the rest of it is great. I’m sure it’s something to do with price and location.

Thank you so much, really great idea re the kitchen cupboards and easily done. Thank you for understanding that a period house shouldn’t be beige/white/grey and that real people actually have books! Also getting past the fact that when people move they actually take their stuff with them which baffles me when it’s clean and tidy house but potential buyers object to a plant or two that’s obviously not staying!

Of no relevance but - my grandma had the painting of the woman in the red dress!

Not there in real life all uniform colour as it should be! Hadn’t actually noticed that on the photos. Thanks.

Thank you! 😂

In a gentle way, there does seem some resistance from you on what needs to be done. I must admit, I was of similar mindset, until someone said, remember that you are selling someone their new home, not your house as you like it.

Market it correctly as a 3 bedroom house, it is not 4 bedrooms. Don’t assume people will consider using one of the downstairs rooms as a bedroom, that is very unlikely as parents tend to prefer to sleep on the same floor as their kids.

the kitchens photos are not good, the mis match of units is very obvious.

back garden could do with tidy.

I love it so much, I bought it because it’s an original mid century Treychikov and on a Tindersticks album cover 😂

At some point though, the Op will have to accept it. Or it will be stagnating Easter 2027

I think your style is lovely and in keeping with someone that wants a period property/quirky style. I wonder about the 4th bedroom as it’s more 3 bed house??

Kitchen cupboards - the green look dated and make me think it needs a new kitchen.
The wall colours are too much particularly the blue dining room.
The black fireplace looks over bearing.
The sitting room looks cluttered, too much mis matched furniture for the size of the room.
The greenery over the back conservatory / porch is overgrown and needs taking back.
It's not a 4 bed.
Price.

It's probably a love it or hate it house because of the decor. I absolutely love it (except the bright blue and black dining room) but don't think I would move in without a redecorating budget because the strong colour schemes would not work with anything I already own, from furniture to bedding. I can't tell you how much I adore the shade of pink you have in your bathroom. I am now trying to think of ways I could copy you. Sorry, that doesn't help. I'd you could "neutralise" the dining room and a couple of bedrooms that might help it sell.

Apologies if it wasn’t clear, that was my point really. You’re moving, the decoration or whatever will be of no interest to you when you move, so do what sells the house even if you don’t like it.

yes i was agreeing with you

The only resistance is that I work full time and I don’t have the money to fully redecorate. I have reduced the price from the agents recommendation by 30 thousand to reflect that. Kitchen and bathroom have been both replaced very recently. Garden has been fully cut back etc. Yes I accept the lean to is a replacement project if people wish and again price is reflecting that. I could paint everything white but it’d be a rushed job and it would probably look worse than the stuff we took time to decorate. Also I am moving fully expecting to decorate to my taste anyway, whatever I do won’t suit everyone.

I would get rid of some bits of furniture in the living room as it's too crowded. Personally, I'd want to repaint most of the rooms straight away, and I wouldn't be looking forward to covering up that blue - each to their own taste, but when selling it's probably better to aim for the blandest, most tolerated colours you can think of.

I agree with PP that when searching for a 4-bed, I'm looking for a house with four actual bedrooms each with their own walls and doors.

I know that area very well. Parking is a nightmare. Traffic is awful especially on match days. It’s all a bit built up around there. And it’s a bit rough these days … so it’s a lot of money for a not lovely area despite how convenient it is

It. Is. Price.

You need to reduce again

It has now been on for 6 months and will likely now not stand a chance of even getting a look on until after Christmas

How much do you want to move?

Thank-you. It’s something I have to keep reminding my husband (and myself) about. A house that is a home is so personal it can be very difficult to make the changes.

Tbh it looks like I’d have to spend a fortune on it - I appreciate that you obviously have it how you want it but most people don’t go searching for brightly coloured walls, plants growing over outside and a dated looking kitchen. If you want to sell it I’d recommend de personalizing until you do - more neutral decor wherever you can.

There are similar properties for around 600k which are definitely more appealing and it would cost me way more than that difference to get yours to a similar standard.

not being unkind, but you need to look at other listings and compare the finishes to yours.

If the kitchen has been very recently replaced then it looks to need a spruce up because more than one door is wonky. The photos don't show where the oven is either, as has been previously mentioned.

I like period properties and own lots of books- I also like calming colours, neutrals, less ‘busy-ness’. Your house is lovely but not to my taste at all. I would be able to see past that, but plenty of people can struggle to.