3 weeks and no viewings
Discussion
Our house went on the market about 3 weeks ago (timed to perfection just before the abolition of HIPs... but that is another story). Our agent seemed positive, there isn't too much similar stuff on the market in the immediate area (2 bed terrace) and we put on at what we think is a valid price... not too high, but not that low either. I would expect to come down a bit on it for the right offer. Anyway, 3 weeks on and there have been NO viewings.
I haven't sold since we sold my other half's flat back at the peak of the market at the end of 2006, and that had loads of viewings and went within a week. Is the market that dead at the moment? Agent says that RightMove stats are encouraging, but to my mind whilst I would expect a bit of a wait for a buyer, the lack of early viewings must mean that there is no-one on their books or in the area looking for a two bedroom house. Is this unusual or am I being unrealistic? I'm not really sure there's anything I can do, as we don't want to come down on price too soon!
I haven't sold since we sold my other half's flat back at the peak of the market at the end of 2006, and that had loads of viewings and went within a week. Is the market that dead at the moment? Agent says that RightMove stats are encouraging, but to my mind whilst I would expect a bit of a wait for a buyer, the lack of early viewings must mean that there is no-one on their books or in the area looking for a two bedroom house. Is this unusual or am I being unrealistic? I'm not really sure there's anything I can do, as we don't want to come down on price too soon!
be patient and bide your time. if you can just hold on and you will find your buyer is out there.
2006 was a different market , people were in a mad hurry to buy. the situation we are in now is more normal.
just make sure any little jobs that need doing have been done and the place is tidy.
what part of the country are you in?
2006 was a different market , people were in a mad hurry to buy. the situation we are in now is more normal.
just make sure any little jobs that need doing have been done and the place is tidy.
what part of the country are you in?
We have the same situation, been on the market about three weeks and with only one viewing. We haven't found the house we want yet so can afford to be patient, but it is a bit disconcerting. We are using the same estate agent this time as we did four years ago (when the market was different and he did a great job), so we have confidence in him, it's just the slow market.
Something might be wrong - are the photos good enough, do they make the house look spacious, airy, and tidy? Some agents "make do" with crappy cameras and have no skills at taking decent photos. It doesn't matter if the house is older/smaller/darker, but once people are viewing they can look past all that.
Also, although they are using Rightmove, is it in their window and do they have a decent list of people looking for properties?
Also it seems that unfortunately there are some really nice estate agents out there who charge reasonable fees, but are no good at selling houses. My colleague is selling at the moment and we discussed what I thought of estate agents when buying recently, and I was saying that although I didn't like a lot of the estate agents I met, I could imagine that they do get good results when dealing with the majority of buyers. So when selling it's probably not always best to go with somebody who you like, but somebody who can get the job done.
Also, although they are using Rightmove, is it in their window and do they have a decent list of people looking for properties?
Also it seems that unfortunately there are some really nice estate agents out there who charge reasonable fees, but are no good at selling houses. My colleague is selling at the moment and we discussed what I thought of estate agents when buying recently, and I was saying that although I didn't like a lot of the estate agents I met, I could imagine that they do get good results when dealing with the majority of buyers. So when selling it's probably not always best to go with somebody who you like, but somebody who can get the job done.
Edited by Gareth79 on Tuesday 8th June 01:45
It is on right move
It is in their window
It has been in the local free property paper
The photos are good - no bedroom shots, but multiple views of lounge, kitchen/dining and garden. Wide angle etc!
It is a modern property (90's), up together, no dodgy decor, and has the attraction of a 'wooded aspect' to the rear rather than being overlooked. It is a traditionally popular estate and historically have been snapped up quickly.
We are also £10k cheaper than the only other similar property on our estate with our agent (which really is optimistic!). So there must be no buyers out there. We are on the south coast and an expensive area for first time buyers which could be a problem. the 3 bed detached houses we are looking at seem to be shifting!
It is in their window
It has been in the local free property paper
The photos are good - no bedroom shots, but multiple views of lounge, kitchen/dining and garden. Wide angle etc!
It is a modern property (90's), up together, no dodgy decor, and has the attraction of a 'wooded aspect' to the rear rather than being overlooked. It is a traditionally popular estate and historically have been snapped up quickly.
We are also £10k cheaper than the only other similar property on our estate with our agent (which really is optimistic!). So there must be no buyers out there. We are on the south coast and an expensive area for first time buyers which could be a problem. the 3 bed detached houses we are looking at seem to be shifting!
okay so if it's 90s... are there brand new ones for sale for the same price? (a lot of people don;t care about front gardens or actually having somewhere to park a car)
presumbly it is priced correctly (and you'd looked at comparable properties..?)
is the agent a single office person/local 'chain'/national?
is the agent the right sort of agent for the house? it's not hamptons to sell a boggo 'estate house' or connels to sell a 5 bed 'executive home, one of 3 in a small developed by messrs [insert reasonable local builder here] in 1996'..?
presumbly it is priced correctly (and you'd looked at comparable properties..?)
is the agent a single office person/local 'chain'/national?
is the agent the right sort of agent for the house? it's not hamptons to sell a boggo 'estate house' or connels to sell a 5 bed 'executive home, one of 3 in a small developed by messrs [insert reasonable local builder here] in 1996'..?
just to cheer you up i have been viewing a few places in the midlands recently and apart from one of the places on my list all the houses have been on he market for at least a year. The big builders seem to be moving things at the moment, but they are offering huge incentives (10-15% discounts!!) so probably squeezing resales.
I think the market right now is a strange one (maybe just normal).
2 houses have gone on the market in my Close in the last 9 months. Both sold within 10days. The sale eventually fell through on 1, it went back on the market & sold again inside a week.
I've been looking around also & have noticed that a lot of properties have been on the market for a long time 1yr plus in mnay cases. Talking to the agents the feedback I am getting is that there are a few buyers out there who are being selective, such that good properties are getting snapped up almost immeadiately. Anything that is slightly less than the best is hanging around for a long time. Quality is still selling fast.
To be honest I'd give it another few weeks, as you say your are in no rush.
2 houses have gone on the market in my Close in the last 9 months. Both sold within 10days. The sale eventually fell through on 1, it went back on the market & sold again inside a week.
I've been looking around also & have noticed that a lot of properties have been on the market for a long time 1yr plus in mnay cases. Talking to the agents the feedback I am getting is that there are a few buyers out there who are being selective, such that good properties are getting snapped up almost immeadiately. Anything that is slightly less than the best is hanging around for a long time. Quality is still selling fast.
To be honest I'd give it another few weeks, as you say your are in no rush.
GT03ROB said:
I think the market right now is a strange one (maybe just normal).
2 houses have gone on the market in my Close in the last 9 months. Both sold within 10days. The sale eventually fell through on 1, it went back on the market & sold again inside a week.
I've been looking around also & have noticed that a lot of properties have been on the market for a long time 1yr plus in mnay cases. Talking to the agents the feedback I am getting is that there are a few buyers out there who are being selective, such that good properties are getting snapped up almost immeadiately. Anything that is slightly less than the best is hanging around for a long time. Quality is still selling fast.
To be honest I'd give it another few weeks, as you say your are in no rush.
I agree. In my village if it's correctly priced (or even a bit over!) and well located they sell. if they're badly done up, over priced, over-looking the part of the village which will see a loda of new houses that're being put up then they stick.2 houses have gone on the market in my Close in the last 9 months. Both sold within 10days. The sale eventually fell through on 1, it went back on the market & sold again inside a week.
I've been looking around also & have noticed that a lot of properties have been on the market for a long time 1yr plus in mnay cases. Talking to the agents the feedback I am getting is that there are a few buyers out there who are being selective, such that good properties are getting snapped up almost immeadiately. Anything that is slightly less than the best is hanging around for a long time. Quality is still selling fast.
To be honest I'd give it another few weeks, as you say your are in no rush.
Solitude said:
Odd, i have heard recently (several media sources) that a shortage of houses on the market means prices are rising as the demand is high. Strange that reality is you have no veiwings and are obviously not alone !!
Keep up at the backhttp://www.metro.co.uk/news/828600-hips-scrapping-...
seriously post it up you will find out in seconds what is wrongMine's been on the market for around 6 weeks.
I've had 2 viewings.
Both really positive, but no offers.
I'm going to leave it a while longer, then maybe look at dropping the price. I'm in no rush but it is a little disconcerting.
Seems to be the way round here that stuff either sells straight away or is on the market for a while. Unfortunately, I appear to be in the latter
I've had 2 viewings.
Both really positive, but no offers.
I'm going to leave it a while longer, then maybe look at dropping the price. I'm in no rush but it is a little disconcerting.
Seems to be the way round here that stuff either sells straight away or is on the market for a while. Unfortunately, I appear to be in the latter
I sold a house at the end of May.... yippeee!!!
However.. it was almost 2 years to the day it first went on the market..... boooo!!
I reckon there were probably 6 viewers in the first year and about 8 in the second. The folk who bought it had actually been to view the previous year but had waited until a sale on their property was agreed before taking things any further. The house itself was an unremarkable 4 bed mid-terace townhouse, good spec, newly refurbished, fairly priced (£10k under surveyors valuation) and in any other market conditions would have been a fairy easy sale. Guess thats just how things are at the mo.
However.. it was almost 2 years to the day it first went on the market..... boooo!!
I reckon there were probably 6 viewers in the first year and about 8 in the second. The folk who bought it had actually been to view the previous year but had waited until a sale on their property was agreed before taking things any further. The house itself was an unremarkable 4 bed mid-terace townhouse, good spec, newly refurbished, fairly priced (£10k under surveyors valuation) and in any other market conditions would have been a fairy easy sale. Guess thats just how things are at the mo.
Have you had a look to see that the agent has actually put your house on Rightmove?
Apologise, if I'm stating the obvious. I've had an experience where the numpty agent just had not put the house on Rightmove.
Similarly, just check they are marketing it properly. Perhaps get a friend to phone in and request details and see how they sell it.
pp
Apologise, if I'm stating the obvious. I've had an experience where the numpty agent just had not put the house on Rightmove.
Similarly, just check they are marketing it properly. Perhaps get a friend to phone in and request details and see how they sell it.
pp
Hub said:
Our house went on the market about 3 weeks ago (timed to perfection just before the abolition of HIPs... but that is another story). Our agent seemed positive, there isn't too much similar stuff on the market in the immediate area (2 bed terrace) and we put on at what we think is a valid price... not too high, but not that low either. I would expect to come down a bit on it for the right offer. Anyway, 3 weeks on and there have been NO viewings.
I haven't sold since we sold my other half's flat back at the peak of the market at the end of 2006, and that had loads of viewings and went within a week. Is the market that dead at the moment? Agent says that RightMove stats are encouraging, but to my mind whilst I would expect a bit of a wait for a buyer, the lack of early viewings must mean that there is no-one on their books or in the area looking for a two bedroom house. Is this unusual or am I being unrealistic? I'm not really sure there's anything I can do, as we don't want to come down on price too soon!
I have a flat (hardest bloody thing to sell) that is on for less than smaller flats in same area as I can afford to sell at a lower price. It has had 1 viewing in 4 months so I am today sacking the estate agents as I do not believe there is not that constrained a market. Its just the nature at the minute, be patientI haven't sold since we sold my other half's flat back at the peak of the market at the end of 2006, and that had loads of viewings and went within a week. Is the market that dead at the moment? Agent says that RightMove stats are encouraging, but to my mind whilst I would expect a bit of a wait for a buyer, the lack of early viewings must mean that there is no-one on their books or in the area looking for a two bedroom house. Is this unusual or am I being unrealistic? I'm not really sure there's anything I can do, as we don't want to come down on price too soon!
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