How Can I Sell My Home Fast? 6 Top Tips For Selling A House

Need to sell your home fast? It could be due to inheriting an estate, navigating a life change or because you’ve bought another house. Maybe you scored your dream job in another city or want to travel the world. Whatever the reason, when time is of the essence, there’s a lot you can do to move a property fast.

With the right strategies, you can cut through the red tape and find a buyer in no time. In this article, we’ll share 6 steps you can follow to get your property ready for selling in a flash. And if you can’t sell your home quickly, there’s still some action you can take.

What is the quickest you can sell a house?

A fast home sale depends on a number of factors, such as:

• Location and suburb: Inner city living vs suburbs 
• The market: Is it a buyer’s market or a seller’s market? This can dramatically affect what you can get for price and how quickly you can sell
• Home presentation: How your home looks and is staged is a huge factor in whether or not a potential buyer will be able to picture themselves in your home (more on this below)
• Asking price: Where you position your property in the market is important. Independent Property Group can help you figure out what the best starting price is based on our years of experience.

What month is the best to sell a house?

Every season is the right season to sell your home if you want to do it quickly. While it might seem that some months are better than others – you can be strategic with this depending on your own timeline – we’ve found that there’s usually a hungry buyer right around the corner at any time of year.

Autumn and spring are generally good times to sell. There are more buyers and sellers in the market in these seasons. While this means more competition for a sale, it also means that more people are looking to buy. The foliage and natural greenery in these seasons give your property a natural appeal, along with adding some bright, natural light. 

Winter and summer listings aren’t considered the ideal times to sell due to extreme weather conditions. But the silver lining is that there will be less competition in the market. 

Whether you’re looking to sell in winter or in the heart of spring, following the six steps below will help you sell your home fast for market value.

How quickly do most houses sell?

Typically it can take anywhere from 1 to 6 months from when a property is listed to when it sells. In Australia, you can also access data on sold properties that tell you how long a house was on the market. This is called the ‘days on market’ (DOM) and it’s available for most suburbs. It can give you an indication of what to expect if you’re trying to sell a property fast.

To give you the best chance of selling quickly, we’ve laid out 7 steps below to sell your home quickly when you really need to move, fast!

6 Steps to Sell Your Home Fast  

1. Hire an experienced local real estate agent

Local real estate agents understand the market. They can guide you through the process of a fast sale by posting listings, tapping into their network and setting up a marketing plan customised to your property. Not only do they have their finger on the pulse of what’s happening in the market, but they can also tell you what’s worth your time and energy.

They can also help you identify a buyer. Each real estate agent worth their salt has a buyer database. Based on your requirements, they can consider who your property is most likely to attract based on price, location, and type (e.g. families, retirees, investors). For a quick sale, they will highlight features that align with your buyers' lifestyle, such as proximity to cafes, schools, or public transport.

Working with Independent Property Group means you’re working with one of the top real estate agencies in Canberra. We’ve been operating in the Canberra residential real estate market for years and deliver nothing but the best for our clients. Our agents are proactive and know the local area well. With years of experience behind us, we know how to provide you with the right advice when you’re looking for a quick sale.

2. Choose the right time to sell a house fast

When you need to sell your home quickly, you may not be thinking about the best time to list. So here’s the good news: houses can sell at any time of year with the right staging and marketing. 

Once you have an idea of when you’d like to sell – or if you’re unsure – talk to your real estate agent to start making plans. The buying market can change as per the season or property type. You need an agent who knows how to navigate the market if the tides are against sellers. If the market is too busy, your agent should be able to help you find buyers in a competitive space. 

3. Price your home right from day one

We can’t understate how important it is to price your home right from the beginning. When you need to sell your home fast, pricing is crucial. If it’s too high, you may scare off buyers, so leverage your agent’s expertise to find the sweet spot. 

Start by getting a market appraisal of your property. Set the best price at or slightly below market value to attract those eager to buy or invest. This may also help initiate a bidding war to drive the price up, especially if you decide to go to auction to sell your house quickly. 

4. Stage your home to sell

Home staging is an industry term that refers to getting your house ready to show to potential buyers. First impressions really do count in an open house. It’s important to position your home in a way that people can picture themselves living in it.

Here are a few tips to help you get ready for viewings: 

• Do a deep clean of every room, including the skirting boards. Don’t forget exterior windows and eaves.
• Depersonalise and declutter your home by removing family photos and any sentimental items.
• Address any minor or major repairs (details matter).
• Rearrange furniture to create more space and flow.
• Improve the appearance of your property’s curb by mowing lawns, trimming hedges, and generally making sure the landscaping is neat and tidy.

If you’re short on time, focus on the bathrooms and kitchen. Keeping them clean and in good condition can appeal to buyers. Simple updates, like replacing tiles or repainting cabinets, can go a long way without overspending.

If this feels overwhelming, we can connect you with a professional property stylist to make your house look and feel more ‘homey’, appealing to the right type of buyers. 

5. Choose the right strategy 

Choosing the right strategy for your property is key to targeting the right buyer quickly. Some people prefer auctions where the atmosphere is competitive and once a reserve price is reached the contract is exchanged.

How this doesn't work for every property - some buyers are intimidated by auctions feeling the pressure. They prefer to negotiate quietly with their agent.

Jonathan says, "When it comes to selling your property, there's no right answer. Whether you take the property to auction or pursue a sale through private treaty both can achieve the result you're after if executed well."

When it comes to how to sell your home fast, Independent Property Group can help you set up everything you need, including understanding whether or not this is the right option for you.

6. Advertise effectively 

Getting your property seen by as many potential buyers and investors as possible is vital if you want to sell a house fast. Real estate marketing is an added cost but worth the spend. 

Advertise online – via an online listing, social media post, and on your agent’s website – as well as offline – in the local paper, via flyers and community noticeboards. We can work with you to target the right buyers to save you time and energy marketing to the wrong audiences.

Some real estate companies have a pay-later option for marketing and property preparation, which can be helpful if you’re on a tight timeline and your budget is fixed.

What is the quickest a house sale can go through?

There are many factors that affect how quickly a house sale can happen. Think about the cost of selling your home. If there are no financial or legal roadblocks, you can expect at least 6–8 weeks with traditional conveyancing. If there are delays, these timelines can blow out months. This is why it’s important to work with a real estate agent you trust who can make sure you’ve got everything you need before you start your sales journey. 

What happens if you don’t sell your home quickly?

As in life, sometimes things don’t go to plan when you try to sell your home quickly. You might find issues with your home that need extra attention, or your potential buyer may have an issue on their end. Don’t panic – there’s still lots of things you can do. 

Here are a few tips to keep in mind if you’re racing against the clock. 

Be flexible with showing options

To sell quickly, be flexible when you show your property: the more people that view it, the higher the likelihood that it will sell. Consider times after work, evenings, and weekends to accommodate people's varying schedules. Showing your house will always be inconvenient as you have to keep it presentable. But a few weeks of planning and preparing a strategy can help move the needle quicker. 

Take it off the market (for now) 

If your property doesn’t sell as fast as you’d like, consider taking it off the market for a little while. You could also rent out your property until the market shifts. If you work with the right local real estate agents (like us) we can set up the rental property, help you manage your rentals, and then get it ready for sale again when the time is right. 

Adjust the price accordingly

When you’re trying to sell your house fast, one factor that might affect its sale is the price. This might be because there’s been a change in the market, so work with your agent to pinpoint what wiggle room you have on price and a number you feel comfortable with.

Sweeten the deal with incentives

Offering extra perks to lure hungry buyers can help seal the deal for a quick sale. You might consider offering a short (or longer) settlement period, lowering the deposit, covering the cost of minor upgrades (like painting), or even including appliances. 

To sell a house fast, you need the right real estate agent

Selling your home is a big decision. When you’re operating under a time crunch, you need a partner who can help you with a smooth sale. At Independent Property Group, we can arm you with the right knowledge and step-by-step process to get your house sold quickly. 

If you’re thinking about selling, head to our online appraisal page for a free, instant, and obligation-free online appraisal of your property. Get in touch with our team to talk through your options for how to sell your home fast.