M21er Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 From the South Manchester Reporter Get on your bike to beat housing slump Susannah Wright 10/ 7/2008 THE wheels may have come off as far as the housing market is concerned, but one couple decided to get on their bike when they failed to sell their £200,000 home. Ged and Sam Matthews’ three-bedroomed terrace on Broseley Avenue, Didsbury had been on the market for seven months. So armed with leaflets and balloons, the couple borrowed a special bicycle with hoardings to advertise the sale of their home. They pedalled from their home and went up and down a stretch of Wilmslow Road, going into bars and shops and stopping people in the street to drum up interest in their house. Sam, 31, said: "It wasn’t working selling it the normal way through an estate agent, and we thought we can’t just sit back and do nothing, so we decided to give this a go. "Estate agents have so many houses to sell and we want ours to really make an impact so we’re going at it all out. "We had quite a good response in just a few hours, with 14 people saying they were interested and telling us they thought it was a really unusual but effective way of approach." Sam, who works for British Cycling - the national organisation which oversees the sport of cycling - borrowed the promotional recumbent bike through a colleague. But as well as using an unusual pedal-power marketing ploy, she and Ged - an IT project manager - have a few other tricks up their sleeves. They have set up a website to showcase the house - www.7broseleyave.co.uk - and are holding an open viewing for potential purchasers. Sam said: "We’re going to make a big song and dance about it and have wine and nibbles for people who want to come and have a look. People will have to let us know that they are genuinely interested though." She added: "We’re going to throw in the costs of surveys, stamp duty and solicitors’ fees too, to make it an even better deal for whoever buys it." Ged bought the house eight years ago and Sam moved in after the couple got together three years later. But they now want to move out so they can rent a place in Chorlton before deciding on their next step up the property ladder. Sam said: "We’ve been doing all the usual stuff that experts say you should do, like redecorating and making everything neutral, but we reckon we’re just going the extra mile by actually selling it ourselves too." For more information call Sam on 07900 xxxxxx or go to www.7broseleyave.co.uk " This is their house here. It looks like they paid just £78,500 for it in May 2000 with a further £13,500 in November 2001? ( Not sure what the £13,500 price is? Staircasing of shared ownership possibly? - Won't have been the purchase price ) Or they could just reduce the price ... M21er Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurejon Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Very interesting Marketing strategy. Let the world know you are desperate. I think Ged and Sammy should go back to school. The house is not sold, and its now public knowledge they are desperate to sell, so they can expect offers of 50% less than asking price or wait for the baliffs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moo Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Ged bought the house eight years ago and Sam moved in after the couple got together three years later. But they now want to move out so they can rent a place in Chorlton before deciding on their next step up the property ladder. Hmm, looks like they've kinda missed the point of STRing, insofar as you need to try and do the 'S' bit before the market goes tits up, not after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigsmelly Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 I would also say, to my mind it looks more like Burnage than Didsbury ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crashologist Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 "Ged bought the house eight years ago and Sam moved in after the couple got together three years later. But they now want to move out so they can rent a place in Chorlton before deciding on their next step up the property ladder." I suggest, If they paid £78,000 a fair offer should be around the £100,000 mark today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R K Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Wait 'til the market has peaked, then just sell and bank your lovely lolly. Easy innit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pablopatito Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Hmm, looks like they've kinda missed the point of STRing, insofar as you need to try and do the 'S' bit before the market goes tits up, not after. Not true at all, you've just got to do it in plenty of time before the bottom. There's still a long way to fall don't you think? I can't understand the gimmick of paying stamp duty and fees, do people really fall for that? Or is there actually a benefit to the buyer that I'm missing - its getting really common. Personally, I say good on them for trying - misplaced though it may be. I'm sick of looking round houses to buy where the vendor has made so little effort. An estate agent said to me recently "I keep telling vendors that presentation is important, but they won't listen to me!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crashologist Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 This crash will be different from the 90's - previous sold prices can be used to advantage when the market rises for sellers, but also for buyers when the market falls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doom & Gloom Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 I would also say, to my mind it looks more like Burnage than Didsbury... Definitely Burnage; no doubt about it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bomberbrown Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Where do I start with this pair?..... Oh yeah; TW@TS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurejon Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Have they thought of offering free donuts ? Apparantly it is becoming de-rigour amongst the chattering classes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juvenal Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 From the South Manchester ReporterGet on your bike to beat housing slump Susannah Wright 10/ 7/2008 They pedalled from their home and went up and down a stretch of Wilmslow Road, going into bars and shops and stopping people in the street to drum up interest in their house. M21er FFS - just imagine going into a wine bar, red-faced, daft pointy helmet on, and covered in grease, asking if anyone's "got a spare chain link, and by the way, do you want to buy our house?" Foxtons - the future is staring you in the face. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bachelor of Arts Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Hmmm - it does look more like Burnage than Didsbury to me............at the very least on the Burnage/Didsbury border. (Used to live in Ladybarn myself) It's a bit like people I know who live near Shepherds Bush, but tell everyone they are in West Kensington. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M21er Posted July 10, 2008 Author Share Posted July 10, 2008 (edited) Definitely Burnage; no doubt about it!! Hi DaG ( Welcome to hpc.co.uk ) Do you know the area? I'd say looking at the photograph it's also ex LA? To be fair, it does look like it's been refurbished to a high standard but I suspect this may be the reason it's not selling. ( Apart from being over priced!! ) M21er Edited July 10, 2008 by M21er Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si1 Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 they sound like irrational obsessive freaky weirdos - this would put me off the house as they may have done bad or unprofessional things to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonard Hatred Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 THE wheels may have come off as far as the housing market is concerned, but one couple decided to get on their bike when they failed to sell their £200,000 £100,000 home. Corrected it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beefheart Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Didsbury my anus. Thats burnage central. My mate got one round the corner - arbor avenue for 50k in 2001. so he even overpaid at the time. Its an ex -council turd with some ivy growing up the front to disguise it. I feel like going round to slap this cheeky chappie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 I feel like going round to slap this cheeky chappie. Yes agreed. Definitely time for some direct action. We are all behind you Brother Beefheart. Please report back on your success. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mancghirl Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Has anyone pointed out that this overpriced shithole is in Burnage yet? Unless they are offering to dig it up and MOVE it to Didsbury for the lucky purchaser. That might be worth a few bob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueRat Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Definitely Burnage. I've lived on Fog Lane and Parrs Wood Road is pretty much the dividing line where it turns from nice to nasty. Mr Sifter's record shop of Oasis lyrics fame is in the row of shops just before Burnage train station. Plenty of knocking shops round there too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slurms mackenzie Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Definitely Burnage. I've lived on Fog Lane and Parrs Wood Road is pretty much the dividing line where it turns from nice to nasty. Mr Sifter's record shop of Oasis lyrics fame is in the row of shops just before Burnage train station. Plenty of knocking shops round there too! Blue Rat? As in fifteen storeys blue rat? I think this property may be in burnage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueRat Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Blue Rat? As in fifteen storeys blue rat?I think this property may be in burnage Yes I love that series. 200k to live in Burnage, they must be having a laugh. When I moved to M20 my car insurance doubled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mancghirl Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 If anyone's living close by, could they knock up a banner pointing out that 'This house is not in Didsbury, its in Burnage!!!!!! Visit www.housepricecrash.co.uk' and drape it over the house in the dead of night. And then run away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob monkhouse Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Burnage, ex local authority, ginnel running through it. Pity they didnt leave thei email, as im inclined to fire them an offer of 60k. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shrink Proof Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 "Ged bought the house eight years ago and Sam moved in after the couple got together three years later. But they now want to move out so they can rent a place in Chorlton before deciding on their next step up the property ladder." At what point will it hit them that the rungs have been sawn through? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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