Author: Diane

If you’ve been trying to sell a house for a while and aren’t getting viewings, or aren’t turning those viewings into offers then you need some help.
The estate agent should be working for you asking for feedback from viewers, and showing your property to anyone on his books who might be interested. Ask them first for advice. They know the details and the local market and in theory should be able to give practical advice. If they can’t, then maybe they aren’t the right estate agent for you.

There are a few things that you should bear in mind.
– price
– position
– photos

Do the photos of your house do it justice? If not then re-take them. Things like having a snowy garden when it’s July will really make it seem like your house has been on forever. If your house looks untidy or cluttered in the photos then it’ll not encourage people to come and view. People want to buy a house that has space for them to fill with clutter – so seeing yours in situ puts them off.
Whilst you might not want to do a full house doctor treatment there’s something to be said for tidying up massiviely and taking good photos.

The position of your house might put off people. If it’s down a narrow road that’s hard to get down then that’d put lots of people off. Without causing a parking war with your neighbours you might have trouble shifting cars. However the fire brigade might like a look to make sure they could get an engine down in an emergency.
If you’re next to an eyesore then campaign to the council for it to be tidied up! If it’s a neighbour’s garden that is untidy, then why not ask if they mind if you sort it out. If it’s public land then you could tidy it up yourself too.
Price is very sensitive for many people. The idea of lowering their house price means they are losing money – when in reality until it’s sold they don’t have any money. For negative equity you need to cover the loss with a loan or savings. Speak to the bank about the options.

Would you like me to look at your house listing and make some suggestions?
If so then please use the comments below!

A few thoughts on finding your forever home:

Finding a forever home

First decide on the area. Use Rightmove’s map drawing tool to define the
area. You can zoom in and alter the map as much as you want. Once you’ve
drawn this review it every so often, so if you discount another street or estate
you need to alter your map.

Write your definitive list of everything your forever home should have.

This is where you specify whether you don’t want ex-council, what your
budget it, how many bedrooms, how much outdoor space, whether you want rural
or not.
Make this document as inclusive as possible. Include photos of things you like
from other properties or websites.

Decide whether you want to do work. You might keep looking at properties that
are almost right if only you could alter one or two things. Would you consider
doing work? Do you have the budget or any experience of doing work?

Remember that carpets and wallpaper can be changed, but the neighbourhood can’t!
This is where location comes in. Is it the right location?

Write a list of all the things you do in your daily life that involve you leaving
the house:

– going to work
– taking the kids to school
– going to the gym
– taking the kids swimming
– going to your art class

Mark on a map where these are in your preferred area. Are there are schools
or pools? What’s the commute like? These are important things to consider.
It’s no good if you live in your dream house but everything you do it
an hours drive away.

This redefining of your area and house brings in the compromise. Most of the
people who spend years looking are unable to compromise. You can either wait
for ever for the dream house or try and get one that’s 99% perfect.

If you find you’ve narrowed it down to a small area but nothing is for
sale there, you could try leafleting.

This house for sale is supposed to be the world’s most expensive and it only has three bedrooms (It has plenty of other accomodation for staff etc though) . You’d need $175m. It’s on the daily mail website.

It’s in Wyoming which has no state income tax or estate tax.

The ranch is called Jackson Land and Cattle and has it’s own website where you can discover more about the place.

The estate agent listing is here 1,750± acre.There is a three-bedroom home, a four-bedroom guest/bunkhouse and two employee apartments on the property.

Many people dream of opening up their loft as extra space. Sometimes it just doesn’t work though.

This house here has an office in the roof space. However it’s mostly suitable for limbo dancers.

This loft conversion is described as stunning. But when the TV sits on the floor is it really stunning?

This one still looks like it’s got a loft hatch!

Always check a loft conversion has been done properly with building regulations followed. As well as potentially making the entire property unstable you could find it’s not actually a very usable room unless it’s got the right insulation done, right stair access and enough room to stand up in!

Wotton Underwood is where the Blair’s bought a house. This has caused some issues with neighbours.

You could rent this lovely house for only £865 a week!