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Original poster

<SCREAMS> How can I sell my house in this feckin' climate??

32 replies

KirstyandPhilsLoveChild · 02/04/2009 20:57

We've lowered the price, it's clean and tidy, I've sorted out the garden, I like my estate agent, I've looked in the local paper but only one house advertisement in the classified sections so it looks like that isn't worth trying. WHAT can I do?? We're not even getting any viewings whereas everyone keeps telling me the market has really picked up recently. It's driving me crazy. PLEASE does anyone have any ideas?

OP posts:
kd73 · 02/04/2009 21:05

Don't know but once you find the answer, please let me know then hopefully we will get a viewing on our property!!!

Ohforfoxsake · 02/04/2009 21:06

Where are you? I'm looking for somewhere near Manchester

Original poster
KirstyandPhilsLoveChild · 02/04/2009 21:07

Not being able to even get anyone through the door, we don't stand a chance. I've see other agents doing an 'open house' on properties, is that worth a go? Not sure why it would be effective though.

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Original poster
KirstyandPhilsLoveChild · 02/04/2009 21:08

Nowhere near Manchester!

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Ohforfoxsake · 02/04/2009 21:10

Are you allowed to start a thread flogging it? I mean, marketing it? There was a thread a while ago asking for a house sale section.

Anyway, I have no answers I'm afraid. Have you checked it is being marketed on all the internet sites (primelocation.com). That's where I start my search.

morningpaper · 02/04/2009 21:11

You could link

we could advise on things like 'paint that green ceiling white' ?

kd73 · 02/04/2009 21:14

Morning paper, seriously we love our green ceiling

ABetaDad · 02/04/2009 21:14

You mention newsaper adverts - but is your agent advertising your house online on Rightmove or Primelocation or Globrix?

If it is not online on one of those sites you will not get enough eyes looking at it to generate visitors.

A lot of agents have pulled themselves off the online sites to save money but it is a false economy. Most people browse online now before picking up the phone to an agent.

Original poster
KirstyandPhilsLoveChild · 02/04/2009 21:15

Yes, it's on RightMove which I think is the biggest one, I'll have a look at PrimeLocation and see if it's on there.

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Original poster
KirstyandPhilsLoveChild · 02/04/2009 21:16

Sorry, I don't want to link, honestly there is no hideous decorating or major eyesores I promise!

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ABetaDad · 02/04/2009 21:17

Rightmove will be OK. It is the biggest.

The only thing I can think other than that is it is in the wrong price category or the advert/photos/particulars are putting people off.

Original poster
KirstyandPhilsLoveChild · 02/04/2009 21:25

I've had a fresh look at the photos, they aren't amazing but don't think they are enough to put people off! Might try and take a few myself, see if I can get any better. Price-wise we can't really drop any more at the moment. Thanks for the advice.

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Owls · 02/04/2009 21:33

What have the agents said?

Original poster
KirstyandPhilsLoveChild · 02/04/2009 21:46

Nothing, they don't seem to be able to explain it. They said they are having lots of enquiries/viewings at the moment, just not our property . I now understand why this moving business is so stressful and I haven't even got to the survey/solicitors etc stage yet!

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Original poster
KirstyandPhilsLoveChild · 02/04/2009 21:47

Actually one thing they did say is that sales/offers they are dealing with are in the next price bracket down so maybe it will filter up to the bracket we are in in the next few weeks. I'll believe it when I see it.

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MintyyAeroEgg · 02/04/2009 21:52

I thought FindaProperty.com was the biggest?

How long has it been on the market for?

Has anything similar sold close to you recently? How much for?

Have you got something really unusual? 8 bedroomed house with tiny garden. 1 bedroom flat above a chippy?

If you have a standard clean and tidy family house or flat in a reasonable area and no-one is coming to view it, then the price is probably too high. Sorry, but it probably is .

lalalonglegs · 02/04/2009 22:39

Is it something about your area? Are you out of catchment for good schools? Notorious housing estate nearby? Red light district? Very busy road? It might be something that you have grown used to that other people would blanch at - could even be a postcode (in London people have been known to turn up their noses at one street because it is, say, a Hackney postcode and they want an Islington one which is next street up ).

If none of those apply, I agree with Mintyy, tthe price needs looking at.

unavailable · 02/04/2009 22:52

No answers for you Kirsty, but am in the same boat. (Solidarity)

I read in the evening paper today that the property market is moving again, but wont hold my breath.

Original poster
KirstyandPhilsLoveChild · 03/04/2009 08:31

there is one oddity about the location but since it's nothing I can do about it, short of picking up a large building we'll just have to put up with it (not pub/brothel etc!)

I think you might be right about the price but we have dropped it twice already. Personally dh and I have looked at properties that are a bit above our reach with a view to putting in a low offer. I don't think the price is so high it would put people off, we've just dropped it down into the next bracket. Oh well I guess I'll just have to be patient

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Monkeyandbooba · 03/04/2009 22:23

We were in a similar position until yesterday , 6mths on the market and no luck.

Had to put it on for 40k less than we paid for it then we got an offer. This is a really price sensitive market at the moment and there are very few people around in a proceedable position.

Changing photos may work, we did that too as the pictures were outstanding but didn't adequately reflect what was around the property.

stilltryingtosell · 04/04/2009 08:18

Its got to be the price.

We have just sold ours for 60K less than it was on for this time last year. We have lost 50K of the deposit we put down (this having been accrued through 10 years of working up the 'ladder!')

We have only been able to do this because the vendors of the one we are buying accepted a really really low offer on theirs.

Its depressing but there you go.

twinsetandpearls · 04/04/2009 08:21

It will be somthing, we thought ours was perfect but discovered my tenants ahd actually trashed it. Now we are sorting it out and the price is ridiculously low we have viewings coming out of our ears.

Sorrento · 04/04/2009 14:53

Hold tight there should be a dead cat bounce soonish, viewers start putting in offers with all the pretend money being pushed into the market.
If you possibly can consider it, sell your house and rent, it'll make you rich ;-) in 5 around years

twinsetandpearls · 05/04/2009 10:36

I hesitate to ask our resident property expert but what is a dead cat bounce?

Sorrento · 05/04/2009 11:06

Well when you put it so nicely i'm rather hesitant to bother explaining, google it.