11/07/2010 The Independent: How long can the ho... Helen Middlemast, 45. She has been trying to sell her house in Consett, Co Durham, for well over a year. "My house has been on and off the market,” she said. "! do not know how long it wil stay there - how long is a piece of string? “first put it up for sale about 18 months ago. | advertised it on the internet, rather than putting it up with an estate agent, because | wanted an instant way of doing it. But l only had one enquiry. “itis nowon sale with an estate agent too but it has still not sold. There was a house across the street that was on the market for three years. “I bought the place in 2006 for £154,000 and first advertised it at the end of 2008 for £139,950. | am hoping | wil get a little bit more - maybe £142,000 - but it is absolutely horrendous that | have lost money and time, "I cannot afford to reduce the price any further. ! do not know if the house will sell any time soon. | am terrified that it will not happen, which is a realistic prospect at the moment.” Kathleen Sadler, 84. Mrs Sadler, and her husband David, 75, have been trying to sell their home for three years. "We never imagined that it would take so long to sell it,” she said. “It is a beautiful cottage with four double bedrooms and a great garden, and itis in a beautiful area with briliant schools. But not a single person made us an offer. "We have been forced to bring down aur price. Originally, we were trying to sell for £700,000 but have revised that down to £630,000. We also had windows refitted and the property re-wired. You would think such a great house would have sold by now but it hasn't. it is stressful, particularly at our age." Tom Rowey and Rachel Hovenden Independent Print Linted 2010 Independent nt Linited, Permission granted for up to 5 copies. Al igh reserved. ‘You may foxw ard he artle or get adcrional permssions by typing si 3 ght Into any w eb brow ser, hdependent Print Linted and The 2 a registered trademark of iCopyreht In © trademarks of Independent Print Lined . The Copyright licenseicopyrightnev.../viewFreeUse.2. 3B