Sometimes people find themselves in the unenviable position of needing money fast and because of this they need to sell their property. The benefit of having property means that you have something that is, often, of great value. The disadvantage is that houses are not liquid assets and a sale can take some time.

The reasons for someone needing to sell their property are varied and can be anything from financial problems to emigration, to personal circumstances. All these sellers have something in common and that is they need a sale sooner rather than later.

The problem is the property market goes up and down and events such as Covid can make sales difficult. Fortunately, there are some ways to expedite a house sale. Below here you can find some ideas on how to move property on quickly. 

Ways to sell your house quickly

Later on, you will be able to read about the ways to sell your house but first, it is important to also look at ways to make your house more sellable. Simple changes and fixes don’t need to cost a fortune but could help make your house more attractive. Many types of renovations can help sell your house quickly even in a flat market. Here are some ways you can increase your chances of selling. 

First impressions count

Take a look at your house from the outside and try to imagine it from a prospective buyer’s point of view. When they pull up in the road outside and look towards their possible new home, what do they see? Does the house look appealing and attractive? Would you want to live there? This is termed 'curb-appeal' and it can be the difference between someone coming in to take a viewing or just moving on the next property on their list.

Take a look at the house, garage, front garden, and driveway and make a list of what the best points are and what the worst ones are too. Now look at that list and see what is practical to fix according to your budget.

If you are looking to sell a house quickly then you may not have a lot of disposable income lying around for renovations but there are still a lot of things you can do to improve the exterior of your home. 

Cleaning and repairing

Look at the garden first and see what you can do here to make it more attractive. The chances are you can improve this area just by weeding and mowing. Rake up leaves, trim hedges, and remove any grass or weeds growing through gaps in the driveway and curbs.

Next look at the facet of the house. Is there any mold or mildew there or on the roof? Here are some tips for improving the exterior to make a quick sale before you start thinking of the indoor areas:

• Remove all mold from the driveway and house exterior
• Clean the windows
• Check the gutters for sagging or blockages
• Trim back trees and hedges
• Keep the lawn under control and regularly mown
• Remove weeds from flower beds, cracks, and the driveway
• Remove any clutter from the garden; toys, garden tools, etc.
• Put out a welcome mat and plant pots at the front door
• Paint the window and door frames as well as the door
• Make sure the bell works
• Replace any cracked windows

Now the front of your house is looking as good as possible, and you’ve spent some time but only a minimal amount of money hopefully, it is time to look indoors. 

Make repairs and fix any problem areas

When you find an interested party they will want to make a full inspection of your property. On their initial viewing if they notice things like dripping taps or areas of damp they will be mentally calculating how much they will need to spend to repair these problems. A full inspection could reveal mold, dampness, and other problems that might even make the sale fall through so you must take a good look at your home.

Look for leaks and drips and fix them. These are not expensive repairs and will mean you have one less problem to worry about. Check the basement and attic for areas of damp, broken tiles, and pests.

Broken roof tiles can allow in pests that cause damage and basements can suffer from damp that causes mold, fungi, and wood rot. Areas of damp can also attract pests and bugs from outside into your home and this is the last thing you want. 

Declutter your home

After fixing the inside and sprucing up the exterior you are nearly at the point of actually marketing your home. There are one or two more tasks you could do to help you sell your home swiftly. One of them is to clean and declutter your home.

When you let visitors into your home you want them to be able to see the house, not all the property you have gathered over the years. By decluttering you will give the house a more spacious look and there will be fewer distractions for the potential buyer. Also, by removing boxes of junk, toys, and bric-a-brac you will make it easier for yourself to clean and scrub the home and spot any problem areas. 

Selling your home in a speedy fashion

You could consider decorating any rooms that need a new lease of life, but if you feel the home is ready to put on the market you need to find the best way to sell it quickly. 

You have several options for selling a home and all of them have their pros and cons:

• Real estate agents
• Investment firms
• Auctions
• Raffles
• FSBO - for sale by owner 

Real estate agents

If you hire a real estate agent then you will be following a tried and tested route that most people use. Look for a realty firm that has licensed agents with good experience and if you can get a recommendation from someone you trust.

The pros of using a real estate agent are that you may get close to or even match the market value. One of the cons is that they will be dealing with many house sales and you may not receive as much attention as you would like. A sale may also take some time.

If you have made all the improvements to your home and can wait some time to sell then this is the way to gain the highest offers. 

Auctions and house raffles

An auction can be a quick way to sell a house and if you go this route you will not be guaranteed a sale or of receiving the amount you would like. A raffle may have a reserve price but it could be months before that is reached. If you want to use an auction you might sell the house straight away but the buyers at these events are looking for bargains so expect a low price. 

For Sale By Owner

You could of course sell it yourself if you wanted to cut out the middleman but you would need to understand the laws around selling your own home. You would need to advertise, show the house yourself, hire a solicitor, and more. The process could be very stressful and ultimately unrewarding. 

Property investment firms

If you want the quickest way to sell a house then selling to one of these firms is the way. Property investment firms do exactly what the title suggests, they buy property as a means to make a profit in the future.

We buy houses in Orange County is just one example of a property investment firm and they will provide the fastest way to sell your house. One of the benefits of selling to one of these companies is that you can avoid all the repairs and renovations above and sell the house as it is.

You would normally get a cash offer within a day and if you agree then the house could be sold in a week without any additional fees to yourself. 

Summary

For anyone wanting to get the highest price possible for their house, they should make the property as marketable as possible. By improving the look of the home and making small repairs the chances of selling quickly are greatly increased.

However, for someone needing to sell the home in a great hurry then an investment firm is the best option for ease of use, lack of fees, and quick release of cash.