5 Secrets to Selling Your Home Quickly

In a perfect scenario, you can take your time getting your home ready for sale before listing it on the market. But sometimes, you may find yourself in the position of having to sell home for cash quickly.

Whether you're moving for a job or wanting to close on your dream home without paying two mortgages, here are five secrets to selling your home quickly.

Price the Property to Sell

When I decided to sell my house, I knew that the first thing any prospective buyer will look at is the listing price. Price it too high, and you’ll decrease your pool of potential buyers and run the risk of having your home on the market for an extended period without attracting buyers. Price it too low, and you will miss an opportunity to earn a return on your investment.

The key to setting a good price for your home is competitive market analysis. CMA establishes an estimated value for your home by taking into consideration comparable homes that have recently sold in your local market. Learn more about how competitive market analysis can help you set a listing price for your home that will appeal to buyers while also earning you a positive return.

Make a Good First Impression

Help your home make a good first impression on prospective buyers by adding some curb appeal. Your home’s exterior is the first thing most buyers will see, whether they see your home listed online or they’re pulling up for a tour.

If you have the time and budget, replacing damaged siding or shingles and exterior painting can help your home stand out from others on the market in a positive light. You can also make less costly fixes, such as painting the front door, trimming overgrown bushes, and setting out pots of seasonal flowers before you photograph your home for the listing.

Keep the front yard orderly in accordance with the time of year your home is on the market. That means regularly mowing and watering the lawn and plants in the spring and summer, raking leaves in the fall, and shoveling snow in the winter.

Remove Clutter and Personal Touches

Help your home look its best by removing clutter from your home. Even the tidiest housekeepers will be surprised by how many piles of magazines we have tucked away or how packed our kitchen cupboards have become.

Pack up items you won’t need every day, including personal items, such as family photographs and heirlooms. Removing these items will help buyers envision themselves living in the home. At the same time, less clutter will make your home appear more spacious.

As a bonus, packing up some of these items right away will save you time later when it’s time to move. 

Make Inexpensive and Easy Fixes

Some of the most effective updates to make your home look new again can be done quickly and on a low budget. 

Start by deep cleaning your home. This includes dusting every shelf, wiping down baseboards, and thoroughly cleaning the floors. It’s amazing what steam-cleaning a carpet can do to make your home look fresh and appealing.

Most homes also experience a little wear and tear over the years. By painting your walls a fresh, neutral color, you can brighten up the space and remove scuff marks and dents.

While a full kitchen and bathroom update probably isn’t within your ideal timeline and budget when trying to sell quickly, you can still make some quick and inexpensive adjustments. For example, you can swap out old hardware on drawers and cupboards, or you can paint dated woodwork.

Hire a Trusted Agent

When selling your home in a hurry, it pays to work with a local real estate agent who has a good reputation for fast sales. While you yourself can take care of everything on your moving checklist, such as hiring movers and filling out your change of address forms — a top-notch agent can handle the sale of your home. This includes helping you prepare it for the market, listing it, managing showings, and handling the negotiations.

Hiring an expert agent comes at a cost, known as a commission fee. On average, a selling agent will take between 2.5% to 3% of the final sale price for their commission. In many transactions, sellers also pay the commission for the buyer’s agent, for a total of 5% to 6% in closing costs.

You may be able to save some money on closing costs and commission fees by working with a flat-rate or discount agent. These agents will provide their services for a lower commission fee, such as 1.5% or a flat price instead of a percentage of the sale. Find out if working with a discount real estate broker can save you time and money when selling your home.