House selling advice
Discussion
Morning all,
I’m after some advice on trying to sell our house really. It’s been on and off the market for 12 months, we recently accepted an offer, which was pulled after 4 weeks due to a member of their family falling ill. We’ve declined an offer previously too.
The two offers we have had have been from when I personally led the viewings – this may be a coincidence, but when agents have led them, no further viewings were arranged.
We’ve got it listed with a local estate agent, and have tried two other local, and one further afield – each time, I’ve not overly thrilled with the description or the photos – I don’t feel they sell the place well enough. I have changed agents after ~4 months each time when I feel it's gone stale with them.
Feedback we’ve had from viewings is that it is nicer than the brochures suggest, but I’m a bit stuck as to what else to try.
Using a professional photographer is something I am considering, but I also want to improve the text.
I had been tempted to try an online agent and do it all myself, but I don’t have the expertise I would expect an agent to have.
The house is in rural Shropshire if that makes any difference. It’s a chapel conversion, so I realise it may not appeal to some people but I could do with some help.
I realise the easy answer is to drop the price, and this is probably what people will suggest, but does anyone know of a service, or can anyone suggest anything else to try?
I’m happy to put a link to Rightmove, but don’t want to upset any moderators if it is deemed advertising.
Thanks
Tom
I’m after some advice on trying to sell our house really. It’s been on and off the market for 12 months, we recently accepted an offer, which was pulled after 4 weeks due to a member of their family falling ill. We’ve declined an offer previously too.
The two offers we have had have been from when I personally led the viewings – this may be a coincidence, but when agents have led them, no further viewings were arranged.
We’ve got it listed with a local estate agent, and have tried two other local, and one further afield – each time, I’ve not overly thrilled with the description or the photos – I don’t feel they sell the place well enough. I have changed agents after ~4 months each time when I feel it's gone stale with them.
Feedback we’ve had from viewings is that it is nicer than the brochures suggest, but I’m a bit stuck as to what else to try.
Using a professional photographer is something I am considering, but I also want to improve the text.
I had been tempted to try an online agent and do it all myself, but I don’t have the expertise I would expect an agent to have.
The house is in rural Shropshire if that makes any difference. It’s a chapel conversion, so I realise it may not appeal to some people but I could do with some help.
I realise the easy answer is to drop the price, and this is probably what people will suggest, but does anyone know of a service, or can anyone suggest anything else to try?
I’m happy to put a link to Rightmove, but don’t want to upset any moderators if it is deemed advertising.
Thanks
Tom
Thanks for the replies so far.
Just to confirm, I have only led the viewings when the agents cannot (evenings and weekends). I would far sooner the agents lead them, as that’s their area of expertise.
I have always made myself available on the phone to answer any technical/specific questions about the property (GSHP for example).
There is no feedback theme that jumps out, two couples with young families thought it unsuitable for young children (which I would probably agree with). Everything else is as you’d expect from the brochure – I think a fresh pair of eyes is always a good thing though, so here is the link:
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...
We had five agents value it: 295k, 305, 305, 315 and 335k, it’s been on the market for £299k.
Thanks
Tom
Just to confirm, I have only led the viewings when the agents cannot (evenings and weekends). I would far sooner the agents lead them, as that’s their area of expertise.
I have always made myself available on the phone to answer any technical/specific questions about the property (GSHP for example).
There is no feedback theme that jumps out, two couples with young families thought it unsuitable for young children (which I would probably agree with). Everything else is as you’d expect from the brochure – I think a fresh pair of eyes is always a good thing though, so here is the link:
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...
We had five agents value it: 295k, 305, 305, 315 and 335k, it’s been on the market for £299k.
Thanks
Tom
Thanks all for the comments.
I will get a floorplan sent over tonight, so hopefully by tomorrow, that will be sorted. I'll mention the description too hornetrider.
My thoughts were that the photos are not good enough, sounds like I need someone who knows what they are doing - I will have a dig around, and see if I can track someone down locally who can take more flattering pictures than I (or the agent) can.
It's a small world , wasn't expecting two people to be so local to me!
The filming was October 2014, we were told it will be on TV this month, but not sure. It's very near the end of series 15, Jules was the presenter. I'm not expecting anything to come from it at all - wouldn't make a blind bit of difference to me as a buyer.
I'm in two minds about the viewings - I may be being too honest when showing people around, but on the plus side, I can answer any question asked on the spot.
Thanks again
Tom
I will get a floorplan sent over tonight, so hopefully by tomorrow, that will be sorted. I'll mention the description too hornetrider.
My thoughts were that the photos are not good enough, sounds like I need someone who knows what they are doing - I will have a dig around, and see if I can track someone down locally who can take more flattering pictures than I (or the agent) can.
It's a small world , wasn't expecting two people to be so local to me!
The filming was October 2014, we were told it will be on TV this month, but not sure. It's very near the end of series 15, Jules was the presenter. I'm not expecting anything to come from it at all - wouldn't make a blind bit of difference to me as a buyer.
I'm in two minds about the viewings - I may be being too honest when showing people around, but on the plus side, I can answer any question asked on the spot.
Thanks again
Tom
Thank you Bluebarge for taking the time to write your suggestions up - ive tried to look at it with a clear head, and I agree, it does look far too plain and unhomely. your comments were exactly what I was hoping for.
This weekend, I'm off shopping for magazines for inspiration - I've never been too adventurous with colour - the red kitchen wall was the result of me trying to be brave.
The windows I can't do much about, but the decor, I most certainly can.
Once it's dressed and looking brighter, I will get someone who knows one end of a camera from the other in, and take it from there.
The floorplan is WIP, and should be sorted tomorrow, aling with the dull and duplicated description.
Once it's looking better, I'll update this and let you know how it goes.
Again, thanks all, I appreciate every comment.
This weekend, I'm off shopping for magazines for inspiration - I've never been too adventurous with colour - the red kitchen wall was the result of me trying to be brave.
The windows I can't do much about, but the decor, I most certainly can.
Once it's dressed and looking brighter, I will get someone who knows one end of a camera from the other in, and take it from there.
The floorplan is WIP, and should be sorted tomorrow, aling with the dull and duplicated description.
Once it's looking better, I'll update this and let you know how it goes.
Again, thanks all, I appreciate every comment.
Evening all,
Just to close this off, we've just completed on the sale today, so are officially homeless now and cramping the parents style once again.
Worsy, well spotted, deliberately didn't comment earlier, as we've been messed about by the previous buyers so didn't want to tempt fate.
Just need to find a suitable place to buy next.... Top priority is plenty of outbuilding/garage space.
Thanks all for the advice and ideas, in reality, we don't know what precisely sold it, probably a combination of everything. But the new buyers are definitely made up, as are we.
Next stop, a restoration thread.
T
Just to close this off, we've just completed on the sale today, so are officially homeless now and cramping the parents style once again.
Worsy, well spotted, deliberately didn't comment earlier, as we've been messed about by the previous buyers so didn't want to tempt fate.
Just need to find a suitable place to buy next.... Top priority is plenty of outbuilding/garage space.
Thanks all for the advice and ideas, in reality, we don't know what precisely sold it, probably a combination of everything. But the new buyers are definitely made up, as are we.
Next stop, a restoration thread.
T
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