Why is my house not selling? What do first time buyers want?

Knuttell said:
You will end up probably chasing the market down further . .
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That's the danger alright. You need to be ahead of the curve in that regard, otherwise you'll just need to be lucky to get a sale. I think one needs to be aggressive to sell a house in any reasonable time-frame and likewise when one finds the house they want to buy.
 
cashier said:
I thought debating on house prices was not allowed on AAM
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Hi Cashier

The ban applies only to speculation about the future direction of house prices.

Pricing your house so that it will sell is a valid topic. But a post suggesting "Cut the price by 20% because it will be 40% cheaper in a year's time" would not be allowed.
 

I would be inclining to agreed with this opinion. As the Op stated they are getting plenty of first time viewing but no follow ups suggests that prospective buyers are happy with the price but are coming away disappointed. Have another look at the decor. There are many tactics you can use to present your property at its best such as
- having fresh bread cooking in the oven when they arrive
- having fresh flowers tastefully arranged around the property
- having the property well lit when they arrive
- make sure the house is spotless when they arrive.
- make sure that all the walls are clean and newly painted in neutral colours

Remember that you're trying to sell the "dream" of them living in your property.

Invite over some close friends to give you "honest advice" about your property.

The only alternative is to reduce the price.
 
A ban on discussing house prices is a bit of an obstacle on discussing OP's problem.

However, I don't think i'm going against the ban when I repeat the many claims that anyone selling a family home in most Dublin suburbs has -based on the last twelve months - little reason to panic.

I'm uncertain if 20 kms would qualify as a Dublin suburb.

It seems distance from the capital means a lot. Like twofor1 I can't sell a small apt in Louth even though it's 45 mins from Dublin Airport, an hour on regular services to Connelly.
 
10 house in the area out of how many?

That's a lot of houses to me in one single area to be able to compare like with like. In most areas at the moment there is a lack of good available housing stock.

Remember a lot of people have a house on the market but there not really trying to sell it, some people then take this is to be the market value of the property.

A lot of house in my area that sold recently drop the price and then people were interest and it usually sold for the new adjusted price or slightly more.

Why not link the house to here and get a better idea from other people's view point.

But if the house is not sold, your asking for to much.
 
To OP - I'm surprised by your statement that you are getting viewings but no second viewings or offers. Viewings indicates that the price is in or around right. No second viewings or offers means that when people come they are not impressed by what they see. Why not post a link to the property here and ask people for honest feedback? If you don't wish to do that get some friends to call over and tell you a few home truths.
Good luck with it.
 
I think you should make sure your EA is doing his job to the full extent possible. I was in the unusual position of contemplating buying the home of a friend of a friend but the vendor didn't know the connection. I viewed the house twice and was hours away from making an offer of 10% below the asking price when the vendor dropped the price to rock bottom on the advice of the EA. This was to encourage a bidding war which never happened. They refused an offer of the new asking price! They subsequently ended up taking the house off the market because offers only climbed (slowly) to about 20% below asking. I know that bad advice lack of action on behalf of the EA by not following up with me after the second viewing cost them the sale of the house at at least 10% off asking price and probably a little more, if I'd had to stretch to that. They've since completed a dark, badly planned extension to the house because they didn't think they could trade up. Incidently the EA concerned didn't look for a fee up front, just payment on sale of the house and in viewing a lot of houses around the time with the same company I found them disorganised, badly informed about the properties and generally they just didn't inspire confidence. I've never been in a position to sell a house but if I did, I'd choose my EA very carefully and I'd check up on every move they made!!!
 
If it's not the price it's the house. Get some storage space either in a rented storage depot or a friend or neighbour's attic. Get rid of nearly everything you don't need. Reduce furniture to the bare minimum. If your house looks like you have outgrown it no one else will want it. Or face the fact that for every viewing you have to store 95% of toys in the attic or put them in your car. Always always have flowers in the kitchen or hallway. Get all those magnets and kids stuff off the fridge. If you have kids bedrooms buy some cheap bedspreads and make the rooms over each time to look more grown up. Get a large plastic tub and for each viewing put all the bathroom clutter into the plastic tub and hide it away. Wash the kitchen floor etc. You want people to think like they could move in tomorrow and have room for their stuff.
Space and light is what people want. First time buyers won't have money to do a place up so like for 300 euros you could probably paint the hall, stairs and sitting room. When I was selling our last house, it took 2hrs before every viewing to make the place look good. The day I sold the house I'd happened to make chocolate buns that were sitting on the counter. So buy some cheap cookie mixes and make them at each viewing and put them out on the counter.
 
How about getting a couple of friends to view some of the other 10 properties that are for sale in the area and do some honest comparisons with yours. You may learn something about their presentations and estate agents.

A home has a certain feel about it (you either get in in 30 seconds or not at all) and that of course is different things to different people. Ask your friends how comfortable they felt with the houses they view and their rating of the EA.
 
I agree that if you're getting first-time viewers but nobody is coming back then it is something in the house that is putting them off.

First time buyers now don't have an extra penny after buying a property, so it's extra important that a place be in walk-in condition. That means the dodgy toilet handle, the front door that sticks, the kitchen drawer that falls apart when you open it, etc. are all things you might be able to live with but a buyer will run a mile from.

Two places I think money could be worth spending is

(1) a new kitchen. You can put in a decent Ikea one for a couple of thousand, less than your potential price reduction anyway. All modern kitchens now have deep drawers in the base units, if yours doesn't it may be dating it more than you think.

(2) Please don't take offence, but it could be worth getting in a professional cleaner. Again, something that you are so used to living with that it becomes invisible could be all too visible to a potential buyer.

And I totally agree that de-cluttering is essential. Not only is it offputting but it makes it look like you don't have enough storage. Also make sure there is no junk lying around your garden (front or back).

I agree that a tactless friend/relative could be a great, if bracing, advisor.
 
Phil Spencer is doing a series of programmes on Channel 4 (more 4) at present, afternoons. He is trying to help sellers get their houses that are languishing on the market moved on.
Perhaps it's worth a look and if you believe all you see on TV he appears to be making progress
 

As a buyer I know I'd much prefer a few k off the price than a new kitchen that is done to someone elses tastes. Or worse still, only half done.
 
ryaner said:
As a buyer I know I'd much prefer a few k off the price than a new kitchen that is done to someone elses tastes. Or worse still, only half done.
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Whatever the price, that is the only amount the purchaser will be able to get a mortgage for. These days they will not be able to borrow an amount that includes "doing up" money. So whereas in theory most people would prefer to pay less for the house and pick their own kitchen, in practice they will be stuck with whatever kitchen comes with the house - whether it is dilapidated or new - and this may well be a factor in their decision to buy.
 
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