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Original poster

How do I go about selling my flat? Any advice gratefully appreciated.

23 replies

SunChaser · 03/11/2009 08:59

We have had our flat on the market a few months but zero interest.

Any feedback or suggestions would be very much appreciated.

Pros:

v. good price for 3 bedrooms.
good transport links
nice kitchen

Cons:

Surroundings really grim . Concrete jungle, above a shop, shabby looking garages. All of this beyond our control, really.

ABove a shop

on a main road

Interior needs various touch-up jobs (which we are working our way through)

Anyone?

OP posts:
Tillyscoutsmum · 03/11/2009 09:02

How long is left on your lease ? (assuming its a long leasehold interest rather than a freehold). If its less than 80 years - can you agree an extension with the freeholder ?

Original poster
SunChaser · 03/11/2009 09:03

99 years so that part seems to be ok!

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MadameDuBain · 03/11/2009 09:05

We have just sold ours for a good price - the details aren't all the same, but I do know that what buyers said they liked was that it felt "bright" "you can tell it's a happy family home" "I love all your books and musical instruments" "your DS's room is lovely". To my surprise the fact that we hadn't tidied everything away and made it a showhome wasn't a problem - they liked our stuff and could imagine living here.

We did tidy up and declutter, made sure it was all clean etc, and our estate agents said make sure the bathroom and kitchen don't have any grotty bits, mouldy sealant etc. We have redecorated in the last year or two and the colours are light creams, white, and some bits of brighter orange and yellow.

There are probably plenty of younger people who would like the transport links, shops and good value so hang on in there.

EldonAve · 03/11/2009 09:12

have you had any viewings?

how do you know the price is right?

RealityBites · 03/11/2009 09:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

mustrunmore · 03/11/2009 09:18

Could you put a few pics on your profile of the inerior? It'd be easier to comment then! Its not a good time to sell though, so bear that in mind. When we sold our flat (5 years ago) it took 8 months to find a buyer.
The other thing to try, is getting a friend eound to look at it as a viewer, and give honest opinions. There are some things you are aware need sorting out. But ime, there are other things that you get so used to that you forget about them!

Original poster
SunChaser · 03/11/2009 09:20

here is link

OP posts:
Original poster
SunChaser · 03/11/2009 09:21

We have had quite a few viewings, one lady did make an offer but withdrew it a couple of weeks later when she found something else.

We have dropped the asking price by 10k.

OP posts:
MadameDuBain · 03/11/2009 09:26

It looks really nice!

I might rearrange the bedrooms to have a bit less furniture and so that beds and wardrobes don't look crammed in.

Make sure you always have all the lights on for viewings, and that it's warm.

Do you have any pets/smells? Open windows to air for a few hours before viewings. One thing that really put me off when househunting was a strong smell of air freshener or scented candles - it made me think "what are they trying to hide?" - fresh air is better.

TheOldestCat · 03/11/2009 09:27

If you and/or DP work outside the home, try advertising it at work. We did this (showcasing our flat's easy commute to my office) and a colleague bought it! Long shot, but just in case.

What feedback has the agent given you?

It looks lovely by the way. Good luck.

mustrunmore · 03/11/2009 09:31

How does it compare to other prices in the area?

I love your mirror in your living room

Ok, I'm trying to think of some constructive criticism....

  1. There seem to be alot of trailing wires in the living room, maybe trying to hide them or cable tie them up would look better

2.People say to depersonalise if youre selling, but I think thats total crap. If someone likes a property, they'll see a blank canvas. However, your second bedroom does look a bit small because you've got a double in there wall to wall. It proves you can do it, but it might be better to borrow a single to put in there, and say 'can fit a double bed' it swim? Just an idea.

  1. Those shelves in the bathroom could be covered with a curtain/blind, and then retake the photo, again to just make it look a bit more neat and spacious.

As an aside, the description mentions communal entrance and balcony, but the external photo doesnt make it easy to understand the set-up. Or maybe I'm just thick!

Hope I'm helping and not offending you!

mustrunmore · 03/11/2009 09:40

Ok, just had another thought! Are the shelving things in the main bedroom screwed to the wall? And are they included in the sale or you taking them? Just thinking it might be an idea to tell prospective buyers that you'll leave them if they want, but if they dont want them, you will promise to fill in the screw holes before you go. Some people might see all your shelves in the bedrrom and living room, and see alot of filling and painting once they're removed (and what are those wooden batons on wall in kitchen&second bedroom?). Its not a huge job, but some people just want to move in and do nothing at all yet have it to their own taste.

Original poster
SunChaser · 03/11/2009 09:47

Mustrunmore - no offence taken at all - I need some constructive criticism!

We have removed all the wires from the living room - amazing how you just don't notice things when you are used to them! I never thought about them till I saw the photo.

OP posts:
GrendelsMum · 03/11/2009 09:48

I was told that 3 bedroom flats are hard to sell in a dodgy market - we gave up selling ours and ended up renting it out, not that that's much comfort to you. (When DH and I got married last year, we attempted to sell one supposedly 3-bed house and one genuinely 3-bed flat and buy one large house - the house sold to the third people to view, and the flat never sold.) Apparently, the thinking is something along the lines of there being enough room for a small / young family, but people don't want to live in flats with a small family, but its more expensive than a 2 bed flat which is what a single person, couple or flat sharers tend to want. People look at it and say 'I don't need that extra bedroom, I'll spend the money on having more space that I will use'.

Sorry - that probably doesn't cheer you up at all.

Original poster
SunChaser · 03/11/2009 09:53

No worries Grendels Mum - you are not telling me anything I don't already think!

Although the flat has worked really well for us now that we have a child we want a garden, and a couple without kids as you say don't really need the extra room.

I think our vest bet is a buy to let investor who might rent it to students maybe.

OP posts:
mustrunmore · 03/11/2009 10:00

But how much more is it than a 2 bed similar?Unless its hugely more expensive, I think couples without kids would still want it; spare room for guests, little room as a home office etc. Or even to take a lodger; that why we keep our third bedroom empty, just incase e find a friend that needs it (wouldnt rent to strangers now we have kids).

Laugs · 03/11/2009 10:18

It looks like a lovely flat.

You do say it's above a shop though, and the photo doesn't make this obvious at all (I'm probably misunderstanding, but I can't even see from the photo how it could be above a shop).

So maybe when people turn up they are shocked that it is above a shop, and that puts them off?

It's obviously good for the photos to give the best image of the flat, but they also need to be realistic - you want people to turn up and think it is even better than they hoped, not worse.

Original poster
SunChaser · 03/11/2009 10:23

Laugs, agree and DH pointed this out to the agent. The agents says he always makes it clear to people that it is above a shop when booking a vieiwng.

OP posts:
GrendelsMum · 03/11/2009 10:46

It does actually look like a nice flat - I can really see friends living there.

Are there any Universities or Hospitals that its in easy reach of? Could you try putting up some posters yourself on their staff noticeboards? It looks like the kind of place that would appeal to academics, for example - nice, but comparatively cheap due to the less than idea setting.

EldonAve · 03/11/2009 10:56

why isn't there a floor plan?
the same agent has a one bed for sale with a floor plan and better photos

Fruitbatlings · 03/11/2009 13:57

I'd like a three bed flat! Trying to sell our two bed at the moment

Not in a hurry to sell but it's be nice to have a third bedroom.....

SofiaAmes · 26/11/2009 15:57

Sunchaser.. I hope you don't mind the advice. I think there is way too much going on in the house. You have a lot of shelves and books and clothes in the bedrooms and living room. There is too much pattern going on in the living room and master bedroom. Replace rug, tablecloth and duvet cover with more neutral things. Pack away some of your clothes so it looks less bursting at the seams. Also, kitchen needs to look more warm and intimate. Maybe a bowl of fruit and vase of flowers. Smell of fresh baked bread (I think you can buy this as an air freshner).

bibbitybobbityhat · 26/11/2009 16:10

Hi Sunchaser, could you cover the rails of clothing in the main bedroom with something. It looks like they are in chimney breast recesses? Could you get some of those inexpensive bamboo or paper blinds and fit them on the front of the shelving units and leave them rolled down. Change your duvet covers to plain white or cream or get proper thick bedspreads in white or cream. Change to a white table cloth in the living room and have a plant or vase of flowers on the table, and if at all possible get a new plain rug (I have a large plain rug that only cost £99 from Ikea).

I agree that the trailing wires in the living room are noticeable and that the second bedroom looks very cramped, or else its just a terrible photo.

Have to say it looks a great flat, though, and it is amazingly immaculately tidy .

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