Here’s how to speed up your property sale

Selling a property is an exciting yet particularly stressful period in anyone’s life. When time is of the essence, those stress levels have the potential to rise further, whether you’re looking to move up the property ladder due to relocation, downsizing, or accommodating a growing family.

With the average UK property taking 18 weeks to sell – from the first day of marketing to legal completion – according to TheAdvisory’s Time to Sell study, speeding up the property selling process is on the agenda for many. Thankfully, there are several steps you can take to sell your property faster, many of which we’ll share right here in this blog post…

Remember, first impressions count!

Taking the first steps to speeding up your property sale begins long before you even get your property valued. With potential buyers often making up their minds about a property within the first few seconds of arrival, enhancing the kerb appeal of your humble abode is a must.

From maintaining a well-groomed garden and launching your own front door makeover to cleaning your windows, freshening up external walls and adding exterior lighting, it all counts. It could even boost the value of your property as House Beautiful details:

“Savvy homeowners can increase the value of their home by a huge £55k – and it’s all thanks to the kerb appeal phenomenon. Nearly a third of Brits are willing to pay 25 per cent more for a house with a fresh lick of paint to the front door and brickwork, a well-kept garden and clean windows, according to new research by Dulux Weathershield.”

Apply the three Ds inside and out

The three Ds are instrumental to preparing your property for a speedy sale. All you have to do is declutter, depersonalise and deep clean to lay the foundations for a neutral, spacious and desirable home that property buyers will be fighting over.

Beware of depersonalising too much however. There’s a fine line between making your property neutral, and helping would-be buyers feel at home and inspired.

Choose your battles when improving

Not every buyer will appreciate the potential of a ‘doer upper’, so make sure you tick off those maintenance and repair jobs you’ve been putting off before listing your property for sale.

Leaky faucets, peeling paintwork, and squeaky doors may seem minor, but they can spark concerns amongst eagle-eyed buyers who don’t want to purchase a project. Identify any problem areas early and address hidden issues before they become deal breakers.

Don’t set yourself up for failure

Many sellers fall at the first hurdle when setting their asking price. Setting a realistic, well-researched and competitive price is integral to a swift sale. Overpriced homes linger for longer, while a fair price generally attracts more interest.

Your chosen estate agent can provide insights into local house prices to help you determine a realistic and attractive price point. Considering other factors is also recommended. Homes in up and coming areas for instance should be priced with potential in mind.

Enlist the right support

In addition to selecting an experienced, local estate agent to assist you with the valuation and marketing of your property, our mortgage specialists can guide you through the process to ensure your sale is as smooth and speedy as it should be.

Get in touch with our local mortgage advisors today for further advice and support.