‘My house has been on the market now with the one small estate agent since August 2007. I could go with a larger agency but am put off with the marketing as it all seems to be much slicker and not me at all? Am I being too conservative or just feeling my age! I am 65 years old and want to downsize and get out of paying a mortgage, which you can understand.’
Myra
‘How do you sell a property like ours when no one seems to want it and no one seems to know why it’s not wanted - including a succession of estate agents? Ours is a 4 bed detached bungalow. We feel it is in good condition but some may update the bathroom and probably the kitchen as well. We have decluttered, redecorated and keep the gardens (kerb appeal) tidy and attractive as possible, but still have only had a handful of viewings since it went on market over two years ago, and each of those was in fact quite positive, so we didn't get any feedback that could point us nearer to why we can't sell. Since then of course the markets have died, but that is clearly not the only reason we can't sell. Our lives are on hold. Help!’
Anna and Ken, Rochester, Kent
‘My husband and I are re-locating from Manchester (brooklands) to Malmesbury (Gloucestershire). Our three bedroom house is on the market for £124,950 - having come down from £130,000. We bought it for £118,000 two years ago as first time buyers and it is now immaculate and newly furnished with fab kitchen. But with the market as it is we are stuck in a huge rut and has been on the market since January. We haven't had one person through the door. We are in a real bind as renting won't cover our mortgage. If you have any advice for our next move please let us know as we are despairing!’
Rachel, Manchester
‘Our property in Crewkerne, Somerset, (a three/four bed, end terraced with all the extras!) has been on the market for around 10 weeks. We've had five viewings but not a sniff of a buyer. My husband has a new job which he has started in Lincolnshire last week, leaving me with a 10 month old baby waiting for a sale before we can join him. We've decorated (in neutral colours), cleared all the rubbish and the decks generally, kick the dogs and anything dog related out anytime there is a viewing and we feel even in the current market priced realistically with a view to negotiate. I know times are tough, but this is a house that ticks all the boxes (I'm sure everyone says that about their home!), but there must be someone out there who wants to buy it.’
Emma, Crewkerne
A: ‘Again, I’m going to answer these questions together. First of all, it’s paramount that you have the right agent in this market, and unfortunately people don’t always choose the right agent – the one you chose, for example eight or nine months ago might not be right for the market as it is now.
'Take a look at your house’s marketing, the photos (do they look wintry, for example?), and estate agent’s details to make sure they’re up to scratch. First impressions are so important in this market, too, because there are not so many buyers. That means your property has got to be top-notch, because good houses are still selling. If it’s compromised in any way, you’ll have trouble selling.
‘The most obvious problem is price. Everything is price dependent. If you’re trading up or on the market, it’s important to appreciate that everything is relative, so if you have to drop your £100,000 house price by ten per cent to get a sale, but can buy your new £200,000 with ten per cent off, you’re still quids in. It doesn’t feel nice to lose money on a sale, but you’ll probably end up buying another house for cheaper than you would have got it a few months ago anyway. What’s happening at the moment is that people are still being greedy or un realistic when they’re coming to sell, but being cheeky when they’re putting in an offer on a house they want to buy.
‘Do you need to sell? If you really don’t, then don’t try in this market. If you’re selling and buying in this market, then drop your price. If you don’t need to sell, take it off the market and wait for the market to pick up, which it will.’
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