Need to sell your house fast? Here are some tips and tricks to help

Selling your home can be a challenging, stressful, and time consuming process. However, for some sellers, time may be of the essence and you may need to sell your home quickly. 

 

There are a number of different ways you can go about the selling process to not only save time, but also potentially sell for the best price. From simple home improvements to speaking with experts, here are some useful tips and tricks. 

 

Find out what your home is worth

When you’re looking to sell, one of the first things you’ll want to do is get an understanding of how much your home may be worth. This is crucial when it comes to getting your finances in order and setting a sale price. There are three main ways to get an idea of how much your property is worth: a property valuation, an appraisal and an online estimation.

 

A property valuation is the most formal and in depth way of finding out how much your home is worth. It is generally done by an independent professional valuer who works with a bank or financial institution. These take into account every aspect of a home, from location to visual appeal and local zoning restrictions to make an accurate valuation.

 

Alternatively, you can use an online estimation tool to get a rough guide of what your property is worth, such as the Westpac Property Market Research tool. This is fairly instantaneous and can be a good option if you need a rough idea quickly, however, it is worth keeping in mind that an online estimate isn’t a valuation, but more of a price estimate, providing an indicative average based on data collected from similar sold properties in the local area. 

 

The third option is a property appraisal, which is done by an experienced real estate agent to get an idea of what your home might sell for in the current market. While it is not as in-depth as a property valuation, it is more accurate than using an online estimation tool. A real estate agent will compare your home with similar properties that have recently been sold in the same area, looking at homes of similar size, features and condition, in order to be as accurate as possible. It’s worth noting that the real estate price estimate might not reflect how much the bank would value your property. There is often a gap between these two estimates due to various factors including regulatory requirements, a bank’s lending policy and it’s risk appetite.

 

Now that you have an understanding of the worth of your home, the next step is to find out what you can do to sell your property - and quickly. 

 

Remember, presentation is paramount

It’s important to keep in mind that your home’s value often comes down to how it is perceived by people in the market. So, if you’re looking to stand out, create a great first impression, squeeze a little more out of prospective buyers, and make a quick sale, it may be worth investing in the presentation of your home.

 

This doesn’t have to blow the budget or the timeline. Here are a couple of quick and simple ideas you could consider.  

 

Curb appeal

The first thing potential buyers will see is the exterior of your home, so it’s important to make sure your home has curb appeal. An attractive property is more likely to stop passing buyers in their tracks and entice them to look beyond the front door.

 

This can be as simple as the addition of new house numbers, cleaning the front verandah, adding some feature pot plants or removing dirt and cobwebs. 

 

Help buyers visualise their home

During an open home, potential buyers need to be able to imagine themselves living in your home, whether it be where they put their favourite furniture or how they might use a particular space. This can be difficult with your personal possessions, such as photos and children’s toys, laying around the home. 

 

For a quick and easy solution, declutter your home by getting rid of what you don’t need or putting it in a storage unit. Alternatively, if you’re willing to invest some money, you could also look into home staging. 

 

A home stylist will ‘stage’ your home with more consistent and neutral pieces such as new rugs, wall art, flowers and furniture, allowing potential buyers to envision how they might put their own mark on the home. 

 

Pick up the paintbrush

One of the simplest and most time effective ways to add extra value to your home is with a coat of paint. Whether you are confident to do it yourself or want to hire a professional, a fresh lick of paint can give the impression that your property is a brand new home. 

 

With your home in good condition, it’s now time to consider how to go about putting it on the market.

 

Look to the real estate experts

While hiring a real estate agent may require a bit of an investment, working with experts takes the guesswork out of selling, allowing you to sell your home quicker. 

 

Following the conduction of a property appraisal, a real estate agent will help you set a fair and competitive asking price for your home, increasing your chances of a speedy sale. You don’t want to offer your property at too high a price, leaving it on the market for weeks or months. A realtor will be able to give you a realistic price based on comparable property listings in the area.

 

Agents also help you find buyers for the property, which may be laborious without professional guidance. They manage liaison with potential buyers, eliminating time-wasters who may have no intention of buying and oversee negotiations or bidding wars. With experience under their belt, agents can help you get the best deal possible in a more timely manner. 

 

Finally, agents can help navigate the paperwork involved with selling a home. Their knowledge of the process can help to ensure the process goes smoothly and prevent delays in the home sale. If you want help to find an agent, you may want to consider organisations such as OpenAgent, an independent service that uses a rating system based on agent performance, proximity and suitability to your needs. 

 

Get creative with your marketing strategy

Whether or not you’re working with a real estate agent to feature your home on the leading property portals, it’s also worth thinking outside the box to get as many eyeballs on your property as quickly as possible. 

 

Getting creative with your marketing strategy can be as simple and quick as sharing your online listing to your social media channels - such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Pinterest. Not only does this allow you to reach your own friends and family who may be interested in purchasing, but you can also encourage your followers to reshare to their own network, amplifying the number of people your listing reaches with just one click. 

 

Speak to the home loan experts

Once you’ve made the decision to sell your home, it’s a good idea to speak to your home loan lender. Doing this from the get-go may prevent any unexpected and time consuming barriers to selling down the line. 

 

A chat with your lender may also help you understand the steps involved in selling your home and buying your next property, allowing you to make sure all your paperwork and necessary documents are in order to ensure a smooth and quick sale. 

 

Got a question about buying or selling your property? Call us on 131 900, explore our home loan products or visit a branch to talk to your local Home Finance Manager.