Selling a property can be stressful, but with some preparation and knowledge of the current market conditions, you can sell your house quickly.
This blog provides a handy guide on how to make the process smooth and efficient.
Make your property as presentable as possible
First impressions matter hugely when selling a home. Ensure yours is excellent by thoroughly cleaning and de-cluttering before taking photos or allowing viewings. Paint any marked walls in neutral tones and tidy overgrown gardens. Such tasks maximise interest and offers.
Research suggests freshly painted interiors tend to sell faster and for more. Hence, consider repainting dingy rooms in popular neutral shades using quality paint. This freshens the property’s look cheaply. Finally, ensure all fittings, fixtures, and appliances are clean, damage-free and in working order. Faulty goods can delay the sale or reduce your home’s value.
Also, pay special attention to improving curb appeal. The exterior is the first thing potential buyers see when judging if they like your home. Ensure the front garden is neat with flowers, trimmed bushes and a freshly mown lawn. Repaint or wash the front door and brush down exterior walls to look clean and welcoming. Provide extra parking spaces too (if possible). A pristine first impression creates a tremendous initial buying impulse.
Price your house reasonably
Correct pricing is essential when selling quickly. If you overprice, few buyers will view it, wasting precious time. Yet underpricing means losing money unnecessarily.
Thoroughly research the sold prices of comparable local homes before deciding on yours. Online portals detailing property values, like Zoopla, provide helpful data. If struggling, hire a valuer to assess your home or check sale prices registered with HM Land Registry.
Remember to factor in any home improvements you have made, too. Adjust as needed until your price is fair yet competitive. This encourages fast viewings and the best offers.
Also, consider pricing just below the upper end of estimated value to attract motivated buyers quickly. These tend to have mortgages pre-approved, making for swifter sales. Cash buyers may offer up to 15% under market price but guarantee much faster completion. Consider your priorities when pricing.
Communicate consistently with all parties at all times
Regular, clear communication prevents delays and frustration when selling. Discuss timescales, decisions made and any issues arising promptly with estate agents, buyers, solicitors and yourself.
Ensure your estate agent frequently promotes the listing online and in-branch, if applicable. Chase buyers politely for feedback after viewings. Immediately alert your solicitor to any questions from the buyer’s solicitor. Reply quickly if more paperwork is needed. This smooth process keeps sales momentum going.
When buyers make offers, aim to respond within 24 hours, even if counteroffering. Fast reactions make buyers feel valued, keeping them engaged in negotiations. If compromising on price or requests, explain reasoning politely so buyers understand rather than feel offended. Clear communication cements successful sales.
Be honest about any issues with the house
Tempting as it may be, do not hide existing property flaws from potential buyers. Attempted concealment nearly always backfires once an observant surveyor spots the problem. The buyers can then renegotiate at best or withdraw their offer at worst.
Instead, be upfront about any faults needing repair from the outset, reflected in the asking price. Serious issues like subsidence or dampness should be remedied beforehand if possible. You can mend or leave more minor damage for the new owner. Just ensure transparency at all times.
Even if you feel flaws are minor, disclose them, as buyers may take issue later and delay transactions unnecessarily while they investigate concerns. For example, a noisy central heating system may represent an easy fix for you but worry new owners. Total honesty and proactive damage limitation save later headaches.
Check if you should extend the lease before you sell
If you sell a leasehold house or flat, check if the remaining lease term might put buyers off before marketing it. Mortgage lenders often object to terms with eighty years or less outstanding. Although extendable, doing so can seriously delay transactions.
To avoid this, take the initiative to begin extending the lease as soon as you decide to sell. The freeholder may charge several thousand pounds, safeguarding against time-consuming negotiations later. Alternatively, negotiate with a new buyer to sort out any extension. Either way, do not ignore short leases.
If your remaining lease exceeds eighty years, ensure you have all lease paperwork and service charge details ready for buyer solicitors. Missing or confusing documents can delay sales, too. Prepare a summary of ground rent, management contacts and any special lease clauses or recent changes. Full transparency keeps everything on track.
Get all your documentation sorted
Solicitors can only proceed with the correct paperwork, so gather this ready when your property goes on sale. Core documents needed include evidence of ownership, mortgage details, lease documents for flats, and any planning consents or guarantees for home improvements.
Also essential are the Energy Performance Certificate, Gas Safety Record if applicable, and a fixture and fittings form detailing removable items excluded from the sale. Presenting organised paperwork soon after the sale agreement lets conveyancing proceed smoothly. Incomplete or messy documents only slow things down.
Aim to have paperwork ready to send within 24 hours of receiving the initial sales enquiry. This gives a professional, reliable impression and gets legal proceedings underway without delay between solicitors. Stay closely in touch with your solicitor to promptly answer or supply any other items requested.
Sell to a Cash House Buyer
For the fastest house sale, consider approaching cash property buyers – like us at WeBuyAnyHouse. We purchase directly without needing mortgages or chains. Although you may be offered just below market value for your home, a cash buyer’s ability to buy immediately using cash reserves is a massive bonus for urgent sellers.
These buyers have funds ready to exchange contracts within as little as seven days compared to the current national average of over five months. Conveyancers are on standby, too, bypassing frustrating bottlenecks waiting for other buyers’ mortgages or surveys. Say goodbye to endless viewings, renegotiations and fall-throughs.
Check companies’ credentials first and read reviews to find a reliable one that will make you a fair cash offer. Selling this way puts you in control of timescales while still releasing equity from your home. Remember to account for their underneath asking price offers when calculating if selling to them makes financial sense for you.
How long does it usually take to sell a house in the UK?
The average property selling time nationally is almost 22 weeks, according to Rightmove data from 2023. Typically, the process includes:
- 4-8 weeks achieving a sale agreed
- 10-12 weeks conveyancing
- Two weeks exchanging contracts, then completing
This shows the importance of preparing marketing material, finding serious buyers promptly and organising paperwork. Taking such steps from the start speeds up this timeframe considerably. Sellers focused on selling as quickly as possible should also consider cash buyers. Their ability to exchange just seven days after making offers removes holdups faced by mortgage buyers.
The key to selling in less than the average timeframe lies in preparation. Do viewings, accept offers and instruct solicitors as soon as possible.
