Let’s be real, whether it’s time to upgrade or downgrade, selling your home can be incredibly frustrating. The process doesn’t have to feel like a slow, painful (and expensive) death. Below, I’ve outlined my best tips below on how to help you sell your house fast. Let’s do this.

1. Make Sure You Post Your Listing Well

Consider hiring a photographer. Someone with an artistic eye can capture the beauty in your home from an outside perspective. A professional will also likely make it look larger and more impressive. If you don’t want to shell out the cash for a professional, think creatively. You’re a millennial and the chances that you have a friend that takes fire Instagram photos are pretty high. The great thing about friends is that they’ve probably been to your home and know what its sweet assets are. Bribe them with coffee or offer to give them a few bucks from your beer money ventures. Ask them to bring their DSLR and sit back as they make your house look like an Instafamous mansion. Your iPhone is also a decent alternative if you really want to save cash. Just make sure to take thoughtful photos of important features and several different angles. What ever you choose to do, make sure the quality of the photos is high. Prospective buyers won’t think twice before scrolling past a low quality photo regardless of its contents.

Write a thoughtful description that details everything like a review book. Think about all the details of your home that are selling points. How many bedrooms and bathroom are there? What’s the square footage? Where is it located? How old is it? Take a moment to write all of bonus features. Did you just get a new roof? Do you have a beautiful window seat? A well thought out description will not only include the specs of your house but also what makes it a home. The structure of your description is also important to make sure it stands out from the crowd. This site has a helpful and easy structure to follow. You don’t want the perfectly crafted description of your home go to waste due to poor formatting.

2. Put Effort into Staging Your Home Properly

Spruce up your curb appeal. A potential buyer will begin judging and reviewing your home before they even set foot on your welcome mat. (By the way, definitely have a welcome mat). Maximize curb appeal by prioritizing the basics like mowing your lawn and power washing sidewalks. If time allows, plant some cheery bright flowers and switch out the house numbers for shiny new ones. Those are relatively inexpensive touches that make a home feel fresh and new.

De-clutter the interior. When it comes to the indoor, eliminate as many things as possible. I’m guessing you’re not a hoarder, but it’s still helpful to have less of your furniture out when showing a home. Pairing down helps with two things. First, it makes your home look clean and spacious. Second, it allows buyers to reimagine their own furniture in the rooms. This elimination principle works in the kitchen as well. Clear off counter surfaces for a cleaner look. When staging, think less is more and clean is queen. Bonus hack: if you want to kick it up a notch, repainting some less inviting wall space can go a long way. Warm and neutral tones create an inviting environment.

3. Analyze Which Repairs are Necessary

Before you list, review and make a list of important repairs that need to be made in your home. Large repairs may result in lower offers (no thanks) or turning buyers off complete. So it’s best to get as many out of the way as possible. Besides, addressing some repairs may actually increase the profit you were hoping to make. Necessary repairs can include electrical or plumbing issues. Now I know what you’re thinking, “I can’t do those!” and you’re right, so don’t try. Life hack: don’t attempt repairs that could result in personal injury. It’s important to invest in professionals to make intricate repairs to ensure they’re done properly to code and in a safe manner. 

4. Consider Selling to a Home Investor

There is a last option to consider in various circumstances. Maybe you bought a fixer upper and convinced yourself that you were Chip and Joanna Gaines. Turns out you weren’t and now you have a massive project home that you need to move on from. It’s possible you’re experiencing a divorce and just need to sell the thing. Or maybe you just want to avoid all the fees associated with listing. There are so many life scenarios that leave you wanting to sell fast and you don’t want to add the stress of staging, repairing or listing. This is where home investors can be a possible option. They’ll buy quickly with no fees or money making apps and don’t require that you make any repairs. Just make sure you go with a reputable buyer, you want to make sure you get the most from your property.

Now you’re ready to sell your home fast! Evaluate your options and go for it. You can do this, I believe in you.

Eli Spire is a home décor and remodel addict from Montana. She loves a great DIY project and is constantly changing the look of her apartment. A recent obsession with Mr. Kate episodes is the source of her relaxation time.