Are these Britain's most unloved properties?
Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and there is plenty of love in the air. Unfortunately, love is in rather short supply when it comes to this three-bed semi-detached house in Liverpool, which has been on the market for almost NINE years, and still hasn't attracted a buyer.
We have researched property markets in major towns and cities to find the UK's most unloved properties. These are houses or flats that have been on the market for years. The house in Anfield was first listed for sale in April 2010 for £145,000, and even a £10,000 price drop hasn't tempted any buyers to date.
It's a similar sorry tale for a two-bed flat in Darlington, County Durham, which was first listed in May 2010 for £145,000. Despite the owners dropping the price by 17%, eight years have passed and buyers are a little thin on the ground. While, a one-bed flat in Middlesbrough, on at £36,995, has had its price dropped seven times; but even a 33% cut in the initial list price, hasn't seen a sold board go up outside.
According to our research, the UK's 20 most unloved properties* have been on the market, on average, for six years. Five properties have been on the market since 2010 and nine of the ten homes that have been listed for the longest period of time, are located in the north of England.
Sam Mitchell, CEO of HouseSimple.com, comments: "There are a number of reasons why a home might not sell quickly; from macroeconomic factors to the condition of the property and the initial marketed price. There is not much a seller can do about the economic climate. All they can do is give themselves the best possible chance of finding a buyer whatever is happening in the wider property market and the global economy. And a property should sell in any climate if it is marketed correctly.
"A good estate agent should find you a buyer, but it's still worth doing your own research before listing your property. Homeowners can easily find out what properties are selling for in their area to make sure theirs is priced accurately for the market. And once your property is listed, it's important to keep on top of how viewings are going. Ensure you have access to performance reports, to check not just how many viewings you've had but what feedback buyers are giving, such as the price is too high, or the interior feels a little tired.
"Don't forget, it's vital your property views well both online and offline. You need high-quality photos online as scrolling through pages on a property portal is likely to be the first time a potential buyer will see your property. And make sure your home is clean and tidy, and free of clutter when people actually come round to view. Potential buyers make quick decisions on a property, and you want the first impression to be a positive one.