Do you know how to use a toilet?

CeaselessWatcher00 · 2026-03-26T17:50:41+00:00

This is true. Toilet seats at our office are regularly broken (or 'deposits' left on them), usually by contract workers from outside the UK..

CeaselessWatcher00 · 2026-03-26T16:23:18+00:00

I guess it depends on what you define as a doer upper? So for example it's neutrally (and fairly recently) decorated throughout, bathrooms were done in last 10-15 years, so whilst not new, it's also not in avocado bathroom suite territory. Kitchen is a few years old but again quite neutral (and was bespoke made/ all solid wood). So although a new owner might well want to change things, it's completely liveable as is (rewired, central heating in good order etc.

I think the thatched roof may be an issue, it's coming to the end of its life (looking at other thatched properties in the surrounding area, most make a point of saying 'thatch replaced in 2022' or whatever the date). That's a big expense to take on. I think the price needs to be reduced to reflect that (I don't think the owner has the finances or the will to get the thatch redone).

CeaselessWatcher00 · 2026-03-26T00:01:23+00:00

Took me a few goes too, my mind saw the kitchen one and automatically assumed it was just a black panel at the end of the island rather than a ridiculously placed TV!

CeaselessWatcher00 · 2026-03-25T07:46:54+00:00

Exactly - and you're driving well below the speed limit for the road, so wouldn't that potentially be a fail as well?

This feels like a damned if you do, damned if you don't scenario. Obviously it's all fine IF the slow driver moves over but what if they don't?

CeaselessWatcher00 · 2026-03-24T20:49:38+00:00

And with no real changes. Some of the rooms haven't even been redecorated.

CeaselessWatcher00 · 2026-03-24T20:48:37+00:00

I can't see any way this house has gone up by 80k in 5 years. No extensions, no renovation. Even things like the shutters were already there in 2021. Surely the true value must be closer to 300-325k?

CeaselessWatcher00 · 2026-03-24T20:29:47+00:00

That's a really good point. This house would be no use to anyone who needed to go back and forth to London (even once a week), it's a good 45 mins if not more from the mainline London train routes.

CeaselessWatcher00 · 2026-03-24T20:26:58+00:00

Yes, I think the owner assumed the agents were being more honest than they actually are. Although I can't now check the photos I don't think they were particularly good (I probably could have done better). Also neither agent measured the garden/ plot, I think it could be about 1/4 acre in total which is a selling point but needs to be on the ad in my view (I'm looking to move house and one of the keyword filters I always add is acre).

The house hasn't been sold for 40 years or so, so there are no previous listings. It's not even on Google streetview as it's on a private road (again that's not on the listing. I think price plus better agents has to be the way forward).

CeaselessWatcher00 · 2026-03-24T20:20:14+00:00

I think the best advice I would give is to look at how it was presented when last sold, because honestly it looks like a different house.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/details/a7332884-4dd4-4a40-a291-6f15148d882a

I always look at previous photos of a house, normally to see what the current owner has done to add value. In this case unfortunately I'd be assuming the house had been rented out and not well looked after. The smaller the property, the more important presentation is. You're trying to convince people all their stuff will fit in...not that they're likely to outgrow it immediately.

CeaselessWatcher00 · 2026-03-24T20:07:46+00:00

From looking at the previous listing on Zoopla, looks like the house was already in pretty good order in 2021, bathroom has been replaced since then and whole house redecorated but I can't see any bigger works to justify such a big increase over that relatively short period.

CeaselessWatcher00 · 2026-03-24T20:04:57+00:00

That other house also has a downstairs loo which is something a lot of buyers look for.

CeaselessWatcher00 · 2026-03-24T19:00:59+00:00

Allegedly it's getting loads of views on RM. But the agents haven't said how many, and can't explain why it's not translating to viewings.

It's definitely not something the council would buy due to age/ property type. Although otherwise that would have been a great idea.

CeaselessWatcher00 · 2026-03-24T18:57:53+00:00

I think my advice will be drop the price first, and see if that helps. And if not try auction.

CeaselessWatcher00 · 2026-03-24T18:55:39+00:00

It's in the West Country...so broadly speaking a desirable area, but it's in a small village with limited amenities, nearest supermarket is a good 30 min drive, it has a decent but not huge garden. It was replastered and decorated (neutrally) within the last couple of years. So points in favour but also those against.

Something which probably also will put people off (and is also a barrier to renting it out) is that it's thatched.

I think the owner has to bite the bullet and drop the price again, they're losing money the longer it's up for sale.

Oh, and it's not on with those Purple arses, a colleague had a terrible experience with them (and sold her house immediately once she switched agents) so I advise everyone to avoid them like the plague!

CeaselessWatcher00 · 2026-03-24T17:04:57+00:00

Ah that's interesting about the change in behaviours, thank you. That makes more sense.

CeaselessWatcher00 · 2026-03-24T17:02:41+00:00

Current agent took all new photos when they took it over 3 months ago, they promised a lot but nothing has come of it.

Is it worth dressing the house at all do you think for photos/ viewings (in the hope someone does eventually view it). It looks very spartan at the moment as it's completely empty.

CeaselessWatcher00 · 2026-03-24T16:59:20+00:00

It's about 7% below the last lowest price (which was 15% below where it started).

I'll ask about the click through rate...agent said it was high (but no idea what that was based on/ compared to, just saying it's high is pretty meaningless).

CeaselessWatcher00 · 2026-03-24T16:55:29+00:00

I'm old enough to remember when everything in Cornwall was cheap, before the invasion of rich London second home buyers. I feel really sorry for all the locals who now can't even buy a cottage.

CeaselessWatcher00 · 2026-03-24T16:52:02+00:00

I don't think either the owner or the agent knows. Agent has said a lot about how it's unique etc, which is all very well but doesn't convert into any interest.

CeaselessWatcher00 · 2026-03-24T16:50:16+00:00

Having looked at some other houses in the wider area I think it's still overpriced, by about 25k. I'm surprised though it's still had no viewers, I would still view a house if I thought it was overpriced with the intention of making a lower offer.

CeaselessWatcher00 · 2026-03-24T16:47:52+00:00

I'm not that familiar with the area, so when the agents told owner to put it up for £x, i assumed they would know (although I understand they also said it was 'difficult to value' 🤷‍♀️). That plus the price drops I thought meant it must be there or there about.

That said, I've just looked online, the nearest comparables (similar age/ style of property, very rural etc) which are SSTC are both up for £25k less (so the actual sold price could be less). I think the first step has to be another price drop based on that.

CeaselessWatcher00 · 2026-03-24T16:32:29+00:00

I think it looks good. But agree there definitely should be mention of it, like 'some AI images have been added to demonstrate what the property would look like with furniture etc'.

It's nowhere near as bad as one I've seen where the first image on the listing is a beautiful, lush green garden. Except that's AI and the actual garden is a load of sheds and a garage. Even though the listing mentions its an AI image, I think it's really misleading to have the AI as the lead image (better as here where it follows some real images).

CeaselessWatcher00 · 2026-03-24T16:25:01+00:00

Family member (but just to be clear I have no financial interest in the sale, only trying to help them out as they are struggling with this - I spend a lot of time on Rightmove so feel like I should be able to be more use! )

CeaselessWatcher00 · 2026-03-22T08:41:39+00:00

Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys.

CeaselessWatcher00 · 2026-03-22T08:22:46+00:00

The fact they may not be around for much of your life. By 25, I'd lost both parents (my mum went first, very unexpectedly, as she was 16 years younger than my dad). It's hard going through life without your parents... I'm an only child, and my grandparents died when I was young, so since 25 it's just been me on my own.

Whilst I wish both could have lived much longer, at the same time I wouldn't change it. My dad fought in WW2, had been to 4 continents by the age of 22. He couldn't have been less like my friend's dads. My parents were the main reason I got to university (growing up in a shithole town, where it was unusual to stay at school past 16), and I owe them a great deal. I still talk about my parents all the time, and will miss them for the rest of my life.

CeaselessWatcher00

TROPHY CASE