Sell My House Fast: Features Buyers Want

Sell my house fast! Whether you are planning to sell your home in the near future or are considering doing so at some point down the line, there are steps homeowners can take to improve the chances of a quick sale.

In today’s guide, we’ll explore several features that can sell a house quickly, how much these alterations/upgrades might cost (if applicable), and how long they might take. Let’s begin!

What is the quickest you can sell a house?

The time it takes to sell a house can vary depending on various factors such as location, market conditions, property price, condition, and the effectiveness of the marketing strategy. While it’s impossible to provide an exact timeframe, some houses can sell relatively quickly under favorable circumstances. In a hot seller’s market with high demand and limited inventory, a well-priced and well-presented house could potentially receive an offer within days or even hours of being listed.

However, it’s important to note that selling your home fast doesn’t necessarily mean getting top dollar. It’s often a trade-off between fast home sales and maximizing the value of the property. To expedite the sale process, sellers may need to price their house competitively, stage it effectively, market it extensively, and be open to negotiation.

If you’re looking to sell your house quickly, it’s advisable to consult with a local real estate agent who can provide specific insights based on the current market conditions and help you navigate the process efficiently.

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Sell My House Fast Checklist:

Here’s a checklist of items that can help you in selling your house quickly:

1. Set the right price: Research the local real estate market and set a competitive price that attracts potential buyers. Consider consulting a realtor or appraiser to determine the optimal price range.
2. Enhance curb appeal: Make a strong first impression by improving the exterior of your house. Clean up the yard, porch and walkways, trim bushes, mow the lawn, and consider adding fresh flowers or plants. Repaint the front door if necessary and make sure the house numbers are visible.
3. Declutter and depersonalize: Remove excess clutter from your house to make it appear more spacious and allow potential buyers to envision themselves living there. Pack away personal items, family photos, and any overly personalized décor. You could consider putting a few personal items in a storage unit.
4. Stage the house: Consider staging your home to showcase its potential. Arrange furniture in an appealing manner, use neutral colors, and strategically place décor items to create an inviting atmosphere.
5. Complete necessary repairs: Attend to any minor repairs or maintenance tasks that could discourage buyers. Fix leaky faucets, replace broken tiles, repair cracked walls, and ensure that all systems (plumbing, electrical, HVAC) are in good working order.
6. Professional cleaning: Deep clean your house to ensure it looks and smells fresh. Consider hiring professional cleaners who can thoroughly clean carpets, windows, and hard-to-reach areas.
7. High-quality listing photos: Hire a professional photographer to capture attractive, well-lit images of your home. High-quality photos will attract more online viewers and generate greater interest.
8. Effective marketing: Employ a comprehensive marketing strategy to reach a wide audience. Utilize online listings, social media platforms, and traditional advertising methods. Consider creating a virtual tour or video walkthrough to give potential buyers a more immersive experience.
9. Flexible showing schedule: Accommodate potential buyers by being flexible with showing times. Make your house easily accessible for viewings, including evenings and weekends, to maximize exposure.
10. Work with a real estate agent: Engage the services of a reputable local real estate agent who specializes in selling homes quickly. They can provide valuable guidance, market expertise, and negotiate on your behalf.

Remember that while these steps can help speed up the selling process, it’s important to strike a balance between selling quickly and obtaining the best possible price for your property.

Further reading:

• Preparing Your Home for Sale: Important Steps To Start Today
• Home Sale Profit Calculator

Sell My House Fast: More Tips

Features That You Can Add

We’ll start with a list of alterations/upgrades that could bring the value of your home up and help it sell faster. Later, we’ll explore features that may already exist on your property and that you may wish to enhance. But first, what features might you want to add?

Features aside, having all your home’s key features in good shape can also make or break your home’s appeal to many potential buyers. So whether a feature is new or existing, be sure to keep them looking fresh before putting your property on the market.

Double- or Triple-Glazing

If you want to sell your house fast, you need to ensure it has plenty of wow factors. Double- and triple-glazing is an example of this.

Double-glazing tends to be 80% more efficient than single-glazing. Aside from doing a much better job at keeping the heat in, double-glazed windows can offer better sound insulation and should lower condensation as well as offer better security to prevent break-ins. 

Triple-glazing is a bit more efficient. These windows are approximately 30% more efficient than double-glazing. If money is no object, go with triple-glazing. However, if you are on a budget, arguably double-glazed windows offer the best value for money.

Built-in Storage

Another feature that could capture the eye of potential buyers is of built-in storage. Aside from being more aesthetically pleasing, built-in storage can, of course, provide potential homebuyers with more space to store items.

Popular examples of built-in storage include:

• Sliding storage space for bathroom items
• Closet storage beneath your stairs
• Hidden utensil caddies in kitchen cabinet
• Flip-up cabinet to conceal kitchen electronics (e.g., kitchen and toaster)
• Fold up ironing board cabinet

There are many more examples of built-in storage. If you decide to have built-in storage added to your property and regardless of what options you go for, be sure that it is a suitable match for your home. Moreover, if you are considering adding built-in storage DIY, you should only do so if you know exactly what’s involved and are aware of any relevant safety considerations. If in any doubt, hire a professional contractor.

Paved Patio

Many homebuyers may be interested in also having a paved patio in the back garden. Of course, whether or not this will be a wise option will depend on the size and design of your garden. If in doubt, we suggest consulting with a professional designer for tailored advice.

Modern Heating Options

One of the most common modern heating options is to opt for a high-efficiency condensing combi boiler as part of a central heating system. Of course, depending on the size of your property a system boiler may be needed instead.

However, there are a few other heating options worth looking into including:

• Underfloor heating
• Air-source or ground-source heat pump
• Electric boiler with a solar panel array

These upgrades don’t come cheap but if you want to give your home more value and benefit from more efficient heating solutions yourself before selling, they are worth considering.

Outdoor Lighting

If you are looking to give your house that bit extra curb appeal, you should consider having outdoor lighting added. You may want to consider garden lighting that is connected to the main or solar-powered. 

Lighting to your home’s exterior can come in many forms. It may be used for security purposes (e.g., motion-sensing security lights) or more for recreational use, such as to provide suitable light for sharing a bottle of red with the neighbors on a summer evening.

• Further reading: 7 Garden Landscape Lighting for a Magical Nighttime Oasis

Solar Panel System

As touched on already, a solar panel array could help make your property easier to sell. Of course, as with the likes of a heat pump or underfloor heating, having a solar system installed does not come cheap.

Nonetheless, solar panels can not only reduce your energy bills but depending on the type of setup, it may add anywhere from 4% to 14% to the value of your property. While solar panels are not desirable for all homebuyers, most of the British public find solar systems appealing with interest growing.

• Further reading: 6 Green Home Renovations That Will Save You Money

Solid Energy Efficiency Overall

Your home should have an EPC energy efficiency certificate signifying how efficient it is. Ideally, your property should have at least an average rating (e.g., in the energy efficiency band D for those in England and Wales), but to give it better chances of selling fast, you should aim to go above average.

Aside from some of the energy efficiency upgrades already mention, here are some steps you could take:

• Have your home better insulated (i.e., fresh wall and loft insulation)
• Replace various appliances with more energy-efficient ones
• Add simpler measures such as draught-proofing, window inserts and thermal curtains

Driveway

You may also be interested in having a fresh driveway added to your property. A well-designed and aesthetically pleasing driveway can add a fresh appeal to the front of your property, which is, after all, the first thing that homebuyers will see.

The cost of a new driveway can vary significantly depending on the type you opt for. For example, a mid-sized tarmac drive is likely to cost between $3,312 and $4,752, whereas a medium concrete drive generally costs around $6,900 to $13,110.

Intrinsic Features That You Can’t Add

While there are many steps you can take to improve your property’s curb appeal, you should be aware of what features your home may have that are worth enhancing (where possible).

Here are some features that you may want to enhance if feasible:

• South-facing back garden
• You live in a good region for a solid internet connection
• Beautiful scenery around your property
• Off-road parking

Of course, in some cases, there won’t be anything you can do to enhance these features that can benefit your property’s curb appeal. However, being aware of valuable intrinsic features means you can emphasize important features that may attract potential homebuyers.

Sell My House Fast Q & A:

Is it better to show a house with or without furniture?

The decision to show a house with or without furniture depends on several factors, including the target market, the condition of the property, and the overall aesthetic appeal you want to create. Here are some considerations for both options:

Showing a house with furniture:

1. Visual representation: Furniture helps potential buyers visualize the functionality and layout of the space. It can give a better sense of scale and how rooms can be utilized.
2. Emotional connection: Well-staged furniture can create an emotional connection with buyers, helping them imagine themselves living in the space and envisioning it as their own home.
3. Showcasing potential: Thoughtfully arranged furniture can highlight the potential of each room and emphasize the unique features of the house.
4. Online listings: Furnished rooms tend to photograph better, making the online listings more appealing and attracting more potential buyers.

Showing a house without furniture:

1. Spaciousness: An empty house can create a sense of spaciousness and allow buyers to imagine their own furniture and design choices in the space.
2. Neutral canvas: An empty house provides a blank canvas for buyers to envision their own style and preferences without being influenced by the seller’s furniture and decor.
3. Focus on architectural features: An uncluttered space can draw attention to the architectural details, flooring, and other structural elements of the house.
4. Easy navigation: Without furniture, buyers can move freely through the space and have a clearer understanding of the room’s dimensions and flow.

In some cases, a combination of both approaches might be appropriate. For instance, you could stage the main living areas and bedrooms while leaving less important spaces, such as storage rooms or utility areas, empty.

Ultimately, the choice between showing a house with or without furniture depends on the specific property, the target market, and the guidance of a real estate professional. Consulting with a local real estate agent who knows the preferences of buyers in your area can help you make an informed decision.

How quickly do most houses sell?

The time it takes for a house to sell can vary significantly based on multiple factors, including location, market conditions, property price, condition, and the effectiveness of the marketing strategy. On average, in a balanced real estate market, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months for a house to sell. However, it’s important to note that this is just a general estimate, and individual circumstances can significantly influence the speed of the sale.

In a seller’s market, where there is high demand and limited inventory, houses tend to sell more quickly. In such a market, it is not uncommon for well-priced and desirable properties to receive multiple offers within a matter of days or weeks. On the other hand, in a buyer’s market, where there is more inventory than demand, houses may take longer to sell, and sellers may need to be more patient or consider adjusting their pricing and marketing strategies.

It’s essential to consult with a local real estate agent who has expertise in your specific market. They can provide more accurate insights into the average time it takes to sell houses in your area, based on current market conditions and recent comparable sales data.

Why isn’t my house selling fast?

There could be several reasons why your house isn’t selling as quickly as you’d like. Here are some common factors that can contribute to a longer selling process:

1. Price: The most common reason for a house not selling quickly is pricing it too high. If your house is priced above market value, it may deter potential buyers and make it difficult to generate interest. Consider reviewing the pricing strategy with your real estate agent and adjusting it if necessary.
2. Condition and appearance: Buyers are often looking for homes that are well-maintained and visually appealing. If your house lacks curb appeal or has significant maintenance issues, it may be less attractive to potential buyers. Assess if there are any necessary repairs or cosmetic improvements that need to be addressed to make your house more appealing.
3. Marketing and exposure: Insufficient or ineffective marketing can hinder the visibility of your property. Ensure that your real estate agent is using a comprehensive marketing strategy, including online listings, professional photography, virtual tours, and targeted advertising to reach a wide pool of potential buyers.
4. Market conditions: The overall real estate market can impact the speed of the selling process. If it’s currently a buyer’s market with high inventory and low demand, it may take longer to find a buyer. Local economic factors, such as job market stability and interest rates, can also influence buyer demand.
5. Location and desirability: Factors such as the neighborhood, school district, proximity to amenities, and transportation options can impact the desirability of a property. If your house is in a less sought-after location or lacks desirable features, it may take longer to sell.
6. Buyer preferences and competition: Buyers’ tastes and preferences can vary, and if your house doesn’t align with what buyers are seeking, it may take longer to find the right buyer. Additionally, if there is significant competition in your local market, it can prolong the selling process.

It’s important to have an open and honest conversation with your real estate agent about your concerns and to seek their expertise. They can provide valuable insights into the local market dynamics and help you identify any potential areas for improvement to increase the appeal and marketability of your house.

Some things to consider when thinking about selling your home fast:

• Timelines
• Fees, like closing costs, agent commission, etc
• Cash buyers vs mortgages
• Closing date
• Convenience vs hassle
• Getting a fair cash offer from a cash home buyer
• Home inspection
• Whether you’re going through a divorce, foreclosure, bankruptcy, or you’re home flippers
• Your listing agent