As agents, we know buyers want to see the maximum amount of information on the web. They expect multiple photos, floor plans, plenty of description and local information – if these items aren’t in place, we understand entirely why buyers would be put off. However, we’ve also heard from current clients about some more idiosyncratic “personal triggers”, preconceptions, assumptions or generalizations that turn them off particular homes. As a starter, here’s some thoughts from our canvassing so far;

” If I see photos with the lights on, I assume the house is normally dark so I don’t bother seeing it”

“If the agent only puts three photos on the web, we think those are carefully chosen and the rest of the house is horrible”

“If the main picture is of the inside, I always wonder if the outside is ugly”

“If the agent doesnt make any effort with describing the house, they must think its awful themselves”

“Less is more – if the initial text is more than a line or two, I don’t bother reading further”

“The main picture should always be on the front of the house. Also any outside pictures should reflect the season – I don’t want to pick up details of a house in the spring if the photos show snow in the garden – highlights the facts it’s been up for sale for ages!”

“.. if there is no picture of say a kitchen or a bathroom for a property on Rightmove I’m inclined to think it must be in a state and the agent is trying to hide it so you end up being less inclined to enquire further of that particular one, even if it needs work, I would rather see it all.”

Please do let us know your thoughts by commenting below, contacting us on Twitter or Facebook (Madison_Oakley or www.facebook.com/MadisonOakleyEA) or emailing at carey@madisonoakley.co.uk.

Big windows, lots of light and wonderful views of fields to side and front from this Cross built three bedroom semi detached home. Tucked away in a cul de sac off Lansdown Lane, superbly positioned for commuting to the north or accessing Weston village amenities just down the hill, this beautifully presented property is flooded with light. Mature gardens, off street parking, modern kitchen and bathroom fittings, double glazing and gas central heating – this house could be moved into straight away. Ground floor accommodation comprises of sitting room, dining room, entrance hall and kitchen whilst upstairs there are three bedrooms (two large doubles and a decent single) and a gleaming white bathroom. 68ft x 22ft rear garden, pavia driveway to front.

Historical Notes

In 1870-72, John Marius Wilson’s Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales described Weston like this:
WESTON, a village and a parish in Bath district, Somerset. The village stands 2 miles NW of Bath r. station; and has a post-office under Bath, a courthouse, a police station, and a fair on 10 Aug. The parish comprises 2,650 acres. Real property, £20,862; of which £4,473 are in gasworks. Pop., 3,127. Houses, 610. The property is much subdivided. There are numerous villas. Lansdown hill, noticed in our article on Bath, is here. Building-stone and blue lias abound; and the latter is calcined into lime. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Bath and Wells. Value, £468.* Patron, the Lord Chancellor. The church was built in 1832, and is in the later English style. A chapel of ease, called St. John’s, was built in 1838. There are three dissenting chapels, a national school, and charities £24.

Full details now on our website by clicking here

Taken from Smallcombe Fields off Bathwick Hill, looking over Sydney Buildings and Widcombe to the rear of Alice Park/Bear Flat

Bath city centre, with the triumvirate of the Abbey, St John’s Church on South Parade and the Empire

Perfectly placed in Canterbury Road, right in the heart of Oldfield Park, this one double bedroom garden flat is sure to appeal to professionals and couples looking for a convenient lifestyle. Situated just around the corner from the shops of Moorland Road, the flat offers; Entrance hallway, living room with bay window to the front, double bedroom, modern kitchen with integrated appliances, and bathroom. There is a garden area to the rear of the property whilst the flat also benefits from further mod cons to include gas central heating and double glazing. Part furnished with white goods and available from March at £695pcm.

Full details and additional internal photos available on our website by clicking here

Glorious Widcombe – Cafe society living right on your doorstep, with the delectable Parade shops opposite and the city centre just a jaunt over Halfpenny Bridge. Spread over two floors of this Georgian townhouse, we think this superb two bedroom maisonette would be an ideal city base or investment (the apartment has an excellent track record of letting). Benefiting from a massive sitting room (19ft4 x 15ft7), sparkling white kitchen, bathroom and two bedrooms. Two imposing exposed stone fireplaces, views over rooftops to Lansdown. gas central heating, residents management company. A huge amount of space for the money this close to town – a must view for the discerning apartment buyer. No chain.

From our office, proceed out of Oldfield Park via Brougham Hayes onto the Lower Bristol Rd. Head east and follow the traffic flow under the railway arches, keeping south of the river. Bear right into the one way system for Widcombe at the Hilton Hotel. Widcombe Parade is the southern terrace on your left after Prior Park Rd

Tenure – 8a – 9b Widcombe Parade comprises of four flats who form their own management company. Tenure is therefore leasehold (with share of freehold by virtue of management company membership)

Historical Notes

Widcombe Parade dates from 1780-90, predating both Widcombe Crescent and Widcombe Terrace (1805). At the time of building, the parishes of Lyncombe and Widcombe were small villages with a population of around 3000. By 1830, the population had trebled and included almost 600 weavers. The textile trade, together with shipping from John Rennie’s Kennet & Avon canal (completed in 1810) and Ralph Allen’s stone mine traffic, formed the backbone of the local industry for most of the early 19th century. Lyncombe and Widcombe were not incorporated into the city of Bath until 1835 (under the Municipal Corporations Reform Act). The footbridge (originally wooden) to the city centre was built by Hickes and Isaac and opened in 1863 (with a halfpenny toll). During the Bath and West of England Agricultural Centenary Show celebrations (1877), crowds crossing caused the bridge to collapse into the Avon and it was replaced in the same year by the iron bridge (designed by T.Marsh) still in place today.

No9 Widcombe Parade was a butchers for many years (owned in 1809 by John Barratt and, in 1833 by R Blackmore). Neighbours in 1833 included J. Beard (grocer) at No8 and J.Fisher (retail brewer and landlord of the Ring of Bells) at No10.  Another local pub, now lost, was the Stags Head at No4. By 1870, No9 was a news agent, run by Mrs E.B Lawes.

Full details, floorplans and extra internal photos now available on our website by clicking here