Great(er) Expectations: Why Sidcup Home Sellers are Having to Reduce Their Askin

As we leave the memorably hot summer behind us, some interesting statistics have come to light on the Sidcup Property Market which will be thought provoking for both homeowners and buy to let landlords alike.

Over the last 12 months 602 households have changed hands in Sidcup, interesting when compared with the 10-year average of 719 households per year.

Yet, for the purpose of this week's article, I want to discuss the pricing of the current crop of Sidcup's property sellers and the prices they are asking for their homes and the prices they are achieving (or not as at the case may be). It is so important for all property owners to know the real story, so they can judge for themselves where they stand in the current Sidcup housing market, thus enabling them to make suitable and informed decisions… and that is why, in my blog about the Sidcup Property Market, I pride myself in telling the people of Sidcup the real answers, not just the ones they want to hear.

The national average of homes selling at or above the asking price currently stands at around 10%, so around 90% go below the asking price – but by how much? Well according to Rightmove, in the Sidcup area, the average difference between the 'FINAL asking price' to the price agreed is 4.4% … yet note I highlighted the word FINAL in the last statement.

You see some Estate Agents will deliberately over inflate the suggested initial asking price to the house seller, because it gives them a greater chance to secure the property on that agent's books, as opposed to a competitor. This practice is called overvaluing. Now of course, each homeowner wants to get the most for their property, it is quite often their biggest asset – yet some agents know this and prey on those house sellers. You might ask, what is the issue with that?

Well, you only get one chance of hitting the market as a new property. Everyone has access to the internet, Rightmove and Zoopla etc, and your potential buyers will know the market like the back of their hand. If you have a 3 bed semi that is on the market for a 3 bed detached house price.. those buyers will ignore you. Your Sidcup property sticks on the market, potential buyers will keep seeing your Sidcup property on Rightmove each week, then start to think there is something wrong with it, dismiss it even further, until you, as the house seller have to reduce the asking price so much (to make it appear inexpensive) to get it away. According to our own research, the average house buyer only views between 4 and 5 houses before buying – so don't assume viewers will come round your optimistically priced (i.e. overvalued) property, thinking they will knock you down – no quite the opposite!

So how widespread is overvaluing in Sidcup? The results might surprise you …

37.9% of properties in Sidcup, currently on the market, have reduced their asking price by an average reduction of 4.0% (which equates to £16,800 each)

So, all I ask is this.. be realistic and you will sell at a decent price to a decent buyer. First time – every time – enabling you to move on to the next chapter of your life.

Have you downloaded our FREE letting eBook? 14 questions every landlord must ask when letting property – but most landlords do not ask them!:Read more articles: Why not read more of our articles on the Sidcup Property Blog click here

Speak to me: If you'd like to have a chat about anything in this article or property related, drop me an email at pj.long@drewery.co.uk – I'd love to hear from you.

Paul Long (Director & Author of The Sidcup Property Blog)