So, you’ve decided to sell your property. Congratulations! Whether you’re upsizing, downsizing, relocating or selling an investment property, we bet you want to sell your property quickly and smoothly while getting the highest selling price possible. We’re here to share our top tips for selling your home fast.
8 Ways to sell your property fast
1. Choose an experienced real estate agent
The right agent is the key to an easy and less stressful selling process. You ideally want to find an experienced real estate agent who has intimate knowledge of your local area for multiple reasons:
- They’ll know the most effective marketing strategy for your property and how to advertise it to the right buyers. In your local area, this might mean a focus on social media or a property listing in the local newspaper.
- The agent may have recently sold similar properties and have an existing prospective buyer database. This usually consists of people with a genuine interest in a property like yours that may have missed out recently. This tactic is a surefire way to sell your property fast.
- They will know what will attract potential buyers and can provide helpful advice regarding major renovations, minor repairs or cosmetic updates to increase your property’s worth.
- They understand the local market and what selling method works, whether that’s a private sale or an auction.
- In turn, their local market knowledge means they will know what realistic selling price will help you sell your house quickly.
The right agent will be by your side and guide you through every step of the selling process. They’ll openly communicate with you and proactively sell your property. To find a good agent, you can ask for word-of-mouth recommendations from local friends, family members or colleagues. Alternatively, use LocalAgentFinder.
Our free comparison service allows you to easily compare agents in your local area. You can ensure they have a reputable sales record, experience in your suburb and a competitive price simultaneously. Plus, you can read homeowner testimonials, so you’re confident in your decision.
Ask the right questions
When interviewing real estate agents, ask them some of these critical questions:
- How long does it take you to sell a property?
- How well do you know the local area? Feel free to quiz them on amenities and big-ticket selling points.
- What is your strategy for selling property fast?
- Do you list all of your properties online and if so, which real estate websites do you use?
- Does your marketing strategy include social media and a professional photographer?
Related: How to choose a real estate agent
2. Set a realistic price
Now, we all want a high selling price for our homes. However, to sell your property fast, you need a reasonable and competitive price that aligns with the current market value. In a competitive property market, if your listed price is unrealistic and too high, you won’t attract potential buyers, and your home probably won’t sell fast.
Work with an experienced real estate agent to set a fair listed price. To get an accurate price point, you can research and see what similar properties recently sold for in your local market. Alternatively, use our free online property valuation tool or have your home professionally valued to determine the estimated property value. A property appraisal compares recent sales data with your property’s size, features, and surrounding amenities to calculate the property value.
Related: What is the purpose of a real estate appraisal?
3. Sell at the right time
You can list your home for a great price, but you can still not sell quickly if it’s not the right time of year. There are several factors to consider when determining the best time to sell a property, including whether it’s a seller’s or buyer’s market. If it’s the former, you’re in luck and more likely to sell your house quickly.
Another factor is the time of year. Yes, the season can affect how fast you sell your home. For example, summer is usually not an optimal time as people are on holiday and in winter, people tend to hibernate. Spring and autumn are the clear winners but speak to your agent for clarification, as this depends on your location and the local property market.
4. Consider selling at auction
If you want to sell your house fast, an auction might be the way. Auctions are a great way to get a guaranteed outcome by a specific deadline, usually four to six weeks after the property goes on the market. This is enough time to implement a targeted marketing campaign and schedule open house inspections.
Another great thing about auctions is that, by nature, they create a sense of competition and urgency amongst prospective buyers. This often leads to higher selling prices, particularly in competitive markets. So you receive the price you want and sell quickly–a win-win situation.
5. Focus on the marketing strategy
A full-scale marketing strategy that efficiently targets potential buyers can be the difference between a slow and quick sale. By full-scale, we mean it includes both digital and traditional marketing channels. Here’s what you should expect:
- Online property listings on popular real estate websites like realestate.com.au and domain.com.au. They should include images from a professional photographer and compelling copy highlighting your property’s best features. For example, if you’re targeting young families, ensure the content highlights the property’s backyard, nearby schools and family-friendly amenities.
- Offline property listings in the local newspaper or magazine. This may also include flyers or brochure distribution, which is popular in rural areas.
- Social media marketing.
- A for sale sign in your front yard is one of the best ways to attract prospective buyers.
- An email newsletter blast to their database.
Related: What to look for in your real estate agent’s advertising strategy.
6. Give a great first impression
To ensure your home gives the best first impression possible, you must focus on curb appeal. People judge books by their covers, so potential buyers will inevitably judge your home’s exterior and how it fits into the surrounding neighbourhood. If your curb appeal doesn’t meet the mark, they could move on without even stepping inside. So, here’s what to focus on:
- Mow your lawn, rake those dead leaves, trim surrounding trees and shrubs, weed garden beds, refresh the mulch, sweep the pathway and remove all garden waste.
- If you have a fence, does it need updating? This might include fixing the gate, displaying new house numbers, updating the mailbox or giving it a paint job.
- Update the front entrance by painting the front door, updating light fixtures and adding plants if applicable. Did you know the front door is one of the important aspects of your home in regard to the practice of feng shui? Painting it a bold colour like red will attract positive chi and radiate strength and confidence. Lighting also attracts positive chi, so if you don’t have lights by your door or along your footpath, think about adding them.
- Wash those front windows.
- Appealing arrange your outdoor furniture and give it a good clean if needed.
- Clean the roof and gutters if required. Depending on the property, sometimes a good pressure wash from the roof to the driveway can transform a home’s exterior.
A tidy exterior helps signify that your home is well cared for, so impress potential buyers with your curb appeal, and they won’t be able to wait to see the inside.
7. Ensure the interior is ready to show to potential buyers
Now you’ve handled your home’s exterior; it’s time to tackle the interior. Some real estate agents might advise you to hire a professional home staging service. If property staging is within budget, property stylists are known for improving sales by appealingly arranging your home for photo shoots or open houses to attract prospective buyers.
A recent study suggests that property staging can earn homeowners three to 10% more on their sale price and that 49% of staged homes sell in the first week. Therefore, it’s well worth the investment.
However, you can also DIY home staging with these steps:
- Hide personal items like family photos, kids’ crafts and souvenirs to help potential buyers visualise themselves in your home and develop an emotional connection. They won’t be able to do this if they’re distracted by clutter or your precious family keepsakes.
- Immense clutter is one way to immediately deter potential buyers, so now’s the time to channel your inner Marie Kondo. Declutter each room in your home by packing away personal items you don’t use frequently and by saying goodbye to junk that doesn’t spark joy. Less clutter on all the horizontal surfaces will make your home look more spacious and inviting.
- Give your home a thorough cleaning from top to bottom. Leave no nook or cranny untouched! Clean every window and mirror, deep-clean the floorboards, skirting boards and/or carpet, shine the tapware and sort your cupboards, so potential buyers don’t get a fright when they open them.
- While you’re at, make any quick repairs, like fixing loose tiles, repainting or retouching walls, replacing light fixtures and updating door and cabinet handles and tapware. If buyers feel like they can move in immediately, you’re on the right path.
- Rearrange the furniture to ensure buyers can easily move through your home. You may want to place bulky items in storage, but the hassle will be worth it when you sell quickly. A crowded room makes people believe it’s a small room, which doesn’t do you any favours.
A great idea is to ask a friend, a family member or even your real estate agent to view your home and provide honest feedback. As you have an emotional connection to your property, an objective view of what a buyer sees will be priceless and help you decide what needs work to ensure a quick sale.
8. Keep an open mind during the selling process
Finally, it’s important to keep an open mind during the selling process. It may be a seller’s market, and you may list your home at the right price, but it may take longer than you expect to get a successful sale. For example, a quick sale can mean different things to different people, as the national average sale duration is 43 days.
Moreover, if you want to sell your property quickly, you must be prepared for unforeseen circumstances, like quick move-out dates and last-minute open houses. This means ensuring your home is in tip-top shape because that last-minute viewing might just be with the right buyer.
It’s also important not to get discouraged if offers are lower than you hoped for and you don’t end up in a bidding war. It’s all about finding the right buyer, and the right real estate agent will help you find them. Plus, you should never immediately turn away low offers, especially in a slow market. Work with your real estate agent and respond with a counteroffer. Then it’s up to them to either walk away or continue negotiating with you and your agent.
Ready to compare real estate agents?
When it’s time to sell quickly, you need an experienced real estate agent. Visit LocalAgentFinder to compare local agents and find an agent to sell your house fast and for the best price possible.