Can't sell Dad's empty bungalow

Is it getting any viewings Mishap?

First question as others have said. Is it getting viewings? If not change your agent and make sure the new one advertises online too.

Secondly, you don't have to spend much money to give the place a bit of a make over. When I sold our last house it was a refreshing coat of paint, a few new scatter cushions and fresh flowers. Make sure the bathroom(s) are spotless and fresh smelling with no discoloured grouting, or signs of mould. No dead flies.

Does it have 'kerb appeal'? And a 'For Sale' sign so passing people are tempted to view. Is the garden small or large? Is it in flower now?

Do make sure your agent has marketed it's best selling points to the right type of prospective buyers. Some are useless at this. Is there an online virtual tour? And look at other houses on the market nearby and undercut them by just a bit.

Agree with roses you might want to put some furniture back just to give it a homely look but keep the look minimal, fresh, etc. Nice neutral curtains give a room a good look too. Sadly I've never managed to take my curtains with me when I've sold a house, they've always been a selling point as in 'will you be including the curtains?'

Our last house sold the first weekend it was on the market.

We've still not sold - and the estate agents are worse than useless. Apparently they have to get the permission of their area manager to advertise a property in the paper that everyone in the area reads!!! And they declined to allow my sister to speak with him.

We put an advert in there ourselves and have had 3 replies already! - awaiting viewings at present.

My enterprising sister found out the name of the area manager via the internet and emailed him - good for her! And immediately got a call back from the branch to say they were going to show someone round.

As my OH said - how far up their a***s do you have to kick to get them to do something!

It is very frustrating.

Blimey Mishap that's not good. Is it advertised on the Internet?

Mishap What a load of useless agents they are !! I would certainly tell them what you think,also can you find out if their viewer is one of the people who have answered your own advert and if they are I certainly would not pay Agents fee's in full as you technically found your own buyer.All the very best of luck with the viewings you certainly deserve it.

This is the second agent we have tried - the first resulted in no viewings at all.

It is on the internet - I think that is standard now and often used instead of proper advertising in the local papers. But the market we are aiming for - elderly and in need of sheltered housing - may not be those who use the net as much. A generalisation I know on a forum full of people over middle age! - but we are realistically looking at people who would choose this rather than a residential home - people well into their 80s and it is possible that the net is not their communication method of choice.

My sister, who lives down there, directs responses to our advert to the estate agent, as they have the printed details to send out - personally I would create some details of our own to send and bypass the agent altogether, but I do not want to burden my sister with that suggestion as she is at the sharp end.

One of "our" potential punters contacted the agent and said he did not drive or have a car and would have problems getting to view - the agent suggested he made his way by bus to the town where the agent is and she would give him a lift from there. My sister has offered to just go and get him!

I think there are buyers out there, but the agents are just so lax that they do not try hard enough - they print details, put it on the net, then just sit back and hope. Considering they make their money through sales it is fairly unbelievable.

The real joke is that my sis went to the property and found a printed note through the door saying that they (the agents we are using) had noticed that the property was on the market and saying they wanted to ask 3 questions and if the answers were No then try changing your agent!!! There were actually 4 questions!! - along the lines of.....has your current agent showed anyone round in the last 4 weeks? etc....) She rang them and said that all the answers were No, so perhaps they would suggest that we change agents - egg on faces.

It is becoming a farce.

There is currently a daytime series of Phil Spencer Secret Agent on Channel 4. It might be worth watching for more tips. He organizes an open day for viewers, another possible suggestion for the agents.

Sounds like the agents are causing you so much hassle you'd be better organising things yourselves.

My sister had the same problem - and her house is stunning. She got so angry she eventually went to this lot

www.housenetwork.co.uk/

And sold it straight away, she moves out in three weeks! The best thing though, is that they only charge £500 in fees.

Change your estate agent and quiz any new one about their experience in selling retirement flats. There may also be a local estate agent that specialises in this type of property. There is in my locality.

We had to sell a small bungalow some years ago, not a sheltered bungalow but one on a small estate where most owners were retired. Our first agent was useless, they overpriced it, which I queried, and then when it didn't sell blamed us for insisting on a high price. We changed agents, dropped the price and it sold quite quickly.

Thanks for that recommendation Janer - I have emailed them to see what they have to say.

Flickety - we have already changed agents once, but I think you may be right ad we will have to do so again. What s really needed is a national agency for sheltered properties - I think I will start one.

They do seem to exist if you google for them.

Any luck now Mishap?

Well - it is nearly sold! Completion should be at the beginning of December. We have had to let it go for a silly price, but we all want to put it behind us and get on.

I don't know you Mishap but so pleased for you and hope it all goes through ok.

Me too - my sister moved into her new house last week, after two years, and MiL is hoping to move just before xmas - after four!

House prices generally seem to be all over the place at the moment.

It has been a long haul Mishap but hopefully you are nearly there.

Wonderful! I was wondering the other day - but daren't ask! Fingers crossed it all goes smoothly.

Having been speculatively so far, looking at smaller houses, in the area where my daughter lives I have been very put off by the decor in many of these places.

I am not one for minimalist living myself but the thought of having to undertake a major decorating projects in all rooms is a real put off.
As furniture in an essentially empty property or not I would suggest removing it. Other peoples design ideas can be off putting even if you know they are going to be removed later.

According to the house programmes on television potential buyers can't envisage what rooms are designated for unless there's furniture in them to given them an idea, I've always thought that a bit dotty but what do I know?

Looking at some of the rooms on Rightmove I'm amazed that a photographer can get in far enough to take a photo in the first place! Bring in Phil Spencer: Secret Agent he seems to have some good ideas that seem to work but Estate Agents don't seem to learn from him.

I think it all depends on what/how good your agent is.when we had our house on the market a couple of years ago we were asked if we minded them re arranging some items in our already uncluttered home in order for them to take better photos. I've seen houses on rightmove where they agent has no idea and takes photos of messy houses/even unmade beds. It doesn't bode for me wanting to view these properties. They do say decorate in neutral colours, make sure the front door is painted and in general the house needs to be tidy/clutter free.

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our forum guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

Friends available reported as possible spam

Is it Spam Monday or something?

Aren't they stupid? Must think we are!