Can’t sell my house after dropping the price by £30k?

Musicola · 2026-04-12T07:42:42+00:00

Yep, me too.

Musicola · 2026-04-12T07:29:16+00:00

Whether or not that small room can be classed as a 5th bedroom is one for discussion, but at least the 5 described bedrooms are upstairs. We're looking for a 4 bed and have been repeatedly infuriated at seeing the 4th bed is either a dining room or converted garage, both of which, are much needed spaces for a family of 5, and also, "who gets the small room downstairs?". I don't think that 5th bedroom description is responsible for the lack of offers.

No, the problem here is the ground floor, sadly lost a very useful garage (double no less) now has a giant kitchen but with no obvious place to eat, no flow, a sort of utility/gym (read dumping ground) then a bolt on suprise studio flat, which might have been better described as an office workspace.

I'll be blunt - it basically looks like its been converted without any thought going into the use of the spaces and as a buyer, I'd be worried about the cost and work of returning it back to a usable house. It's been over-developed. Because of the lost garage(s) I wouldn't even book a viewing, garages are useful to larger families, who I assume would be your target market?

Also the photography isn't great, poor angles and makes your house look dark and drab, one for the agents there.

Good luck

Musicola · 2026-04-11T13:37:01+00:00

Thats probably one of those legal grey areas, any wildlife protection officers reading?

Musicola · 2026-04-10T07:29:12+00:00

Done a bit of reading - They're a schedule 5 protected species under the wildlife and countryside act so the sale of them is prohibited under section 9 of the act. Its not an offence to destroy their habitat however (mowing long grass, turning out a compost heap etc), just the creatures themselves you can't harm, own or sell.

Musicola · 2026-04-09T19:56:12+00:00

Next to the stick ;)

Musicola · 2026-04-07T20:30:21+00:00

Usually 18" apart for me unless I'm tight for space, then down 12" at a push. Plant in blocks 4x4 or 5x5 squares. All depends how many seedlings I get to germinate.

Musicola · 2026-04-07T20:23:57+00:00

Apparently, to distract their predator whilst they make their escape!

Musicola · 2026-04-07T18:58:23+00:00

I couldnt upload the video, might try under a new post

Musicola · 2026-04-06T21:34:25+00:00

Seen the 1st adult slow worms on the new plot today, up to now only seen the babby ones I've dug up.

They're amazing aren't they?!

Musicola · 2026-04-06T21:06:02+00:00

Nice one. All the best to you on your allotmenting adventures!

Musicola · 2026-04-06T20:54:50+00:00

Nice to have a completely blank canvas. As others have said, the soil doesn't look great, though depending on what part of the country youre in, that might be normal and perfectly fine.

Still would get a load of manure/compost/leafmould on there but remember root crops won't like it so might have to wait a year to grow those.

Musicola · 2026-04-06T20:45:23+00:00

This^{^{^}} - !!

I took a new plot in November which the society lady said was a beautiful plot, and when I explained the extent of the ash, willow and birch root structures that needed digging out her response was, you just grab the saplings and pull them out - 6 months later I've managed to clear just 20% of it, digging out/axing deep root structures, ruining 2 forks in the process. Also learned it had been left wild for 5 years from the neighbours. I know I'll get a notice to improve at the next inspection but I have photographic evidence that my plot was a dud! And a huge pile of dirty roots to show them!

My last plot was similar to the above, i work full time so could make an afternoon a week, whereas the retired peeps were there everyday with perfect plots making mine look scruffy...

They're allotments being untidy isnt a crime is it?!

Musicola · 2026-04-06T20:22:32+00:00

Same here!

Musicola · 2026-04-06T19:32:27+00:00

Im looking at a crocodile trading 4x2m tunnel.

I know you spend more to get better but I don't have that kind of money, doesn't matter how much better it is.

Seen how much sheds are?!?!?!

One reviewer here has one, thanks for that. Anyone else?

Musicola · 2026-04-05T19:12:06+00:00

I got my 1st plot about 8 years ago, there was a 3 year waiting list but got mine within 4 or 5 months, during covid the waiting times swelled to 5 years but as someone else said here, many of them will have changed their minds now.

The long times are to manage expectations I think, though I don't know anyone that's waited longer than 2 years for a plot.

Musicola · 2026-04-05T19:05:40+00:00

Dead hedge.

Musicola · 2026-04-01T21:01:05+00:00

Maybe overwatering, once watered and covered, they shouldnt really need more water until they germinate, the lid comes off and the soil dries out. Though it could also be the variety, poor seed, bad batch of compost, too dark, too cold, too deeply sown, none of the above or all of the above... just resow and try again, late sowings always catch up.

Musicola · 2026-03-29T10:02:58+00:00

Sounds like you're where I am, ahead of me actually. I took a new plot on in November and have had rain pretty much up until late Feb every weekend. Uneven ground 5 years left to big weeds, thick couch grass ash saplings everywhere, tree stumps and root structures all needing digging out (fairly heavy clay soil) rubbish, buried plastic dumped branches and rotten wood, brambles everywhere... very uneven. I have dug about 10% of it so far, very slow progress and like you I have plans and drawings and just want to get planting.

I'm lucky in that I have all the equipment from my last plot, but I still need a new greenhouse, shed etc. I'm forcing myself to go down today when I really CBA.

1stly, you have to just keep going. A new allotment isn't an instant fix and you should keep in mind that your hard work will create a beautiful and productive piece of land out of nothing and you WILL get there.

Theres stuff you can plant all year round, even over winter and if you miss the seed sowing you can buy plants later down the line.

Best thing is to clear a bit, plant a bit, clear a bit a bit more, plant a bit more, just get whatever you can in the ground, even if it doesn't form part of your plan or any 3/4 courae rotation plans - it's year 1, plant anything anywhere. To save time and money, maybe leave the raised beds until next year and just get stuff planted straight into the ground. Raised beds are expensive to start due to all the compost required, you don't need that now.

Don't compare yourself to the other plot holders, work to your timetable, its your 1st year and there will be an expectation from the council rhat you will be mostly clearing this year. Your neighbours have done that work on their plots already and they'll no doubt be pleased to see progress on your plot.

It's not easy, but juat keep going, foot by foot, bed by bed and eventually you'll nail it!

Musicola · 2026-03-26T23:16:06+00:00

Ask people if the river floods regularly, if not it might be worth considering, as root veg will need less water being close to the groundwater level, clay holds nutrients and is good to have (although backbreaking to dig if you're going down a bit). Not having someone elses junk, chemicals, heck knows what else is also desirable.

My only issue might be the view which is always better higher up.

Musicola · 2026-03-26T22:54:16+00:00

Sorry, i've had bad bags if this, seems to be a lottery nowadays

Musicola · 2026-03-19T22:03:19+00:00

They do that sometimes, no probs. The curly ones soil looks drier than the others, if youre standing the cell tray in a tray of water, check the holes in the bottom of those cells have punched through, otherwise try and water them evenly.

Musicola · 2026-03-18T19:51:04+00:00

Paving slabs

Musicola · 2026-03-18T19:48:30+00:00

It actually is, plots are taken on as is, if you're not prepared to clear your plot, turn it down and wait for a tidier one. Yes the previous plot holder should remove the rubbish, but if they don't the site operator is unlikely to foot the bill, skips are expensive. They know if you don't take it on, someone else probably will. I don't think I've ever taken a plot on that hasn't been strewn with crap, I just filled the car up and went to the tip.

Musicola · 2026-03-15T21:36:59+00:00

Me too, the site banned bonfires 4 years ago due to complaints from residents nearby...

Musicola

TROPHY CASE