Why is my in-laws' gorgeous house not selling?!

[irisetta]

What is wrong with this listing? Some back story - my in-laws have been desperate to sell up for a while to be nearer to us. They live near Portsmouth, we are in St Albans. They have a beautiful house! It's 5 minutes walk from the beach in Lee-on-Solent, it's right next to the High Street but super quiet. Huge back garden. Beautifully renovated home, when they bought it it hasn't been touched in at least 30 years. It looks immaculate. No it doesn't have the open plan kitchen diner, but what there is, is perfect.

For the first 7 months while they were listing the house, the estate agent was effing up the RightMove listing quite badly - they were only appearing for people looking for bungalows, when it is not a bungalow 🤦 I noticed this recently. 🙄 After pointing it out, it's since been amended to appear to anyone looking for a 3 bedroom detached property in Lee-on-Solent.

Anyway, now that it's appearing to everyone who might want it, AND they've reduced the price (too much, IMO), my mum-in-law is somehow still convinced that the lovely estate agent is now doing his level best for them - still no viewings after a couple of weeks. And they've only EVER had 3 viewings, ever since it was first listed those 7 months ago - none of which were even proceedable. Thoughts, lovely ladies of Mumsnet?

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/173477669

They need to lose the flag as well.

The real reasons are probably complicated and hard to fix op, but as one quick fix that I think might help, I'd do a purge of the patterned cushions throughout and buy in some plain bedding.
I can see it has all been lovingly put together but people like to project themselves onto a space and bust patterns you haven't chosen makes that tricky. They are distracting.

It need not be expensive, just get plain replacements. And whip off a few of the extra clashing throws on the bed. It's just a bit of streamlining that I think would help depersonalise. Also, I would feel better without the hall runner which is cluttering an otherwise spacious hallway.

I’m another one who wouldn’t bother seeing this house because of the flag.

I have no idea about the area, but that is a lot of money.
I would say older people want something cheaper, they don’t want to tie up their money. They also don’t want a dorma.
Younger people could get better value buying a 3 bedroomed house.

My parents also live in Lee- there are so many houses for sale around that area at the moment. It’s a little expensive for the area, so the estate agent will probably get them to drop the price soon.
good luck!

Again it’s the price. Everything boils down to price.

Gosh If I were them I would stay put, what on earth are they going to be able to afford in St Albans, nothing comparable anyway!
I live in Hertfordshire and prices in any of the "commuter towns" have soared.

To be honest the flag really puts me off as I would take that as saying something about the area and I wouldn’t fit there.

sorry op. But that’s the truth. It would be a hard no for me before I even looked at the listing.

I don’t know why you’re so insistent it isn’t a bungalow - to tbh im a bit shocked that you’ve never heard if a chalet bungalow or a dormer bungalow before.

No- Stubbington or Titchfield is a much more desirable address than Portsmouth- Lee on Solent I wouldn’t class as Gosport (coming from someone who grew up in Gosport!) but I wouldn’t pay the asking price for this in Lee. Again, good luck!

It looks like a bungalow from that first picture though. If you are just scrolling there's every chance you might think it has been listed incorrectly.

I know it is usual to lead with a picture of the outside but maybe the first picture could be the massive garden instead? I'm no expert I don't know if this is a terrible idea!

It needs ripping out both inside and out. I massive expense that most people won’t want.

Yes also PPs make a good point that is is absolutely still listed under the wrong search criteria on rightmove. It is a bungalow, and also looks like a bungalow from the outside. So potentially the target market are not evening finding the listing. Please change estate agents.

Busy patterns, not bust!

It’s not a family home. It’s a house suitable for people like your in laws - kids flown the nest but not so old that they need no stairs. It’s a 2 bed house so the adult kids can come come to stay.

It’s not a 3 bed but a 2 bed with an office or craft room downstairs.

It’s really quite a niche market as anyone looking to future proof will be put off by the stairs and possibly the size of garden. It is definitely a bungalow btw and therefore wouldn’t appeal to anyone young I don’t think - they make me think of old people.

Id be wary of paying much to improve it/redecorate as cosmetic changes won’t fix the fundamental issues - might just be easier to declutter and drop the price.

I don't wish to appear unkind but I feel it's important to be honest.

This, plus the awful curtains & decor & it's generally far too cluttered. The dreadful photo of the conservatory area with the big green shade spoils the whole effect of the room. It has the potential to be a beautiful house although for the reasons stated & despite knowing I could change everything I wouldn't view it OP due to all the work involved. I hope it sells soon though.

Lots of potential but I do agree as others have said, it's quite dated, the photos aren't great and about £100k over priced (look at comparable properties within a mile radius) and there's a few similar properties that have sold recently for at least £100k less

I agree with @SunConure. I clicked on the link and immediately thought it isa bungalow with a loft conversion. I see it as a 2 bed too.

Because it's not a house. It's a bungalow that's had the loft converted. It's either called a chalet bungalow or dormer bungalow.

This. I don’t understand why @irisetta is so insistent it’s not a bungalow when it clearly is.

I think that it looks lovely and is making me long for a home near a beach. The back garden is stunning. I love the silent.

however their competition is this sort of property, https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/170340449#/?channel=RES_BUY

I would get new photos done and list at £599 and give the estate agent a kick up the backside.

This may be the key problem then, as it technically may not fit exactly into any search criteria on rightmove. I don’t know if it’s a possible to list it in both bungalow and house.

I know the area well and it's very overpriced for the area

Basic tuppence worth - it's dated and has limited kerb appeal for that sort of money. Some people will consider it a smart, handsome house but I think many others would choose a different aesthetic for their home. I wouldn't spend 630,000 on this type of low, blocky property. Even when immaculate, they're not charming.

The garden is undeniably beautiful.

Drop the price, big up the garden.

I think the house is lovely but the decor is very dated.

Friends of ours bought a house like this a couple of years ago and live in the same areas as their two children. It’s got two bedrooms and they call it the bungalow. It’s a converted bungalow but still a bungalow. There a few converted bungalows near me too. I think it’s a popular buy for older people who might not want stairs themselves but have family staying over regular pay.
I don’t think anyone is looking to offend you by call in it a bungalow.

I really like it. It has a lot of potential. However, it is expensive and needs two new bathrooms and potentially, a new kitchen, so I wouldn’t pay what they are looking for.