House Is On The Market

[Ric.ror]

Went on Wednesday. I’ve had two visits and two more booked
No offers - I think it’s on at too high a price. If I don’t get any offers this month I will reduce and leave for another month then if I don’t get any I will rent it out - hopefully before the holiday season

[Ric.ror]

Meant to add - does that seem realistic?

[Jennykenny]

Yes.
But something that I did when I was selling our last house was to ask a friend to come in and ‘criticise’ the house. Often when you live somewhere you are oblivious to its faults, and a fresh eye might help remove any stumbling blocks.
Equally when I was looking for a house to buy, I was shocked at how some were presented: toys all over the front door step - almost couldn’t get into the property; in one house the daughter was still in bed and we weren’t able to see the room; another had two ferocious barking dogs in the next door garden.
Not suggesting that you would make these mistakes, but worth giving it a try??

[Ric.ror]

My house is completely empty
I live somewhere else but I like the idea of a fresh pair of eyes

[TonyV]

Roc maybe a fresh coat of paint my help what advice are you getting from the marketing agencies

[Ric.ror]

No real need for fresh paint
It’s all been done
If anything the garden let’s it down but it’s all cosmetic there
It’s just the waiting really

[TonyV]

Ok the only thing that you can do ric is make garden clean

[Tilly2]

You need to be a bit more patient. It's only five days, so far.

[Prudie]

^That's an understatement, unless you are desperate I'd leave it until at least after Christmas before you dropped the price.

[Captain2]

What part of the country are we in?
Some areas will obviously move faster than others; nephew and his partner have just bought in central London - property went on the market on a Saturday morning, their offer was accepted same afternoon and there were over 20 bookings still to look at it.
Do agree though that 5 days is far too early to worry about.

[yogi-bear]

Hi Ric.ror

4 bookings in 4 days on the market is pretty good, believe me, and the 2 who have seen it might have other houses to see before deciding and may book a second viewing......I have known friends and family have their houses and flats on the market for weeks before even getting a single booking, but eventually sell it.
I wouldn't be in any rush to reduce the price so quickly as the buyer will definitely put in an offer lower than your asking price, so up to you if you accept. If you reduce the price even more so quickly, they will offer you even less....being patient is the key here.

I would leave it about 6 weeks see what response you get and off to a good start already....so hopefully get an offer.

I would also take Tony's advice and try and clean up the garden a bit....first impressions really do count.

Best of luck, Ric :-)

[Ric.ror]

Further help required - does anyone think it might be worthwhile withdrawing the house from the sales market and putting it up for rental for six months? I’m just conscious of it being empty during the winter months and feel it would be better to have someone in it and heating it and then pop it on sale over spring
Any ideas would be welcome

[ummmm]

Not all tenants are good tenants. What if they don't pay the rent? It could cost thousands to evict them.

[Ric.ror]

But surely if I go through the estate agents all that is covered - otherwise what am I paying them 10% + for?

[ummmm]

Doesn't always work like that. There used to be a programme on day time TV about evictions. Agents don't have the power to evict.

[jennyjoan]

a few of my friends rented their houses and they were in a terrible state when the renters left. I would try and get rid. Renting is a terrible headache.

[jno]

another had two ferocious barking dogs in the next door garden

nothing you can do about them except shoot them. We had a drummer practising next door when we were trying to sell ours.

Have you checked with Rightmove, Zoopla etc to see wat other properties have sold for?

https://www.gov.uk/search-house-prices

[Ric.ror]

Further to this - had a viewer on Monday who requested a second viewing on Sunday - it’s a couple with family in the building trade hoping to extend AND THEN - a house goes up further down the road £20k cheaper!!!! It needs quite a bit of work but I know which I’d go for. Typical

;-((

[murraymints]

not a great time to sell..but I'd beware renting out..depends how much you need/want to ...if you can ,withdraw and put back Feb/March

[Ric.ror]

Thing I’m worried about is it being empty during the winter months

[murraymints]

Leave on low heat on timer..lights on timers...is there a trusted neighbour that will pop in ..do curtains..open windows for a short time... visit when you can...but leave for a few weeks you may get lucky