How to sell a property quickly in 2021


It’s that time of year again! The seasons are changing and it may be the perfect opportunity to sell your house.

In this article, we share practical advice on how you can use a few simple strategies for getting your property sold quicker. Maybe you’re waiting to buy your next dream home or, you’re thinking of selling your property and moving abroad – we’ve got you covered!

How long does it take to sell a house?

The time it takes to sell a house depends on several factors.

For example, are you selling your house privately or do you want to go down the traditional route with an estate agent? Are you looking at a new build or an old property? You have to consider the type of house you’re selling and the property chain you’re in.

In a recent article by Moovshack, they found that it takes an average of 21 weeks to sell your house in the UK.

That’s roughly 147 days to sell your house. Which includes viewings, offers, the legalities and, moving out of the property.

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Picking the right estate agent

When you’re selling your house, it’s important to choose the right estate agent. They can make or break your deal.  Some people believe that only high-end agents sell big houses quicker.

However, in reality, the estate agent who puts in the time and commitment to selling your house will be able to sell it – no matter the size or price.

You need to make sure you’re asking the right questions before you commit.

  • How will they market your property?
  • How many enquiries (on average) are they getting for properties like yours?
  • Find out the average sold prices for similar properties in your area
  • Will you have a single point of contact?
  • Do they have any referrals or testimonials you can review?

You need to do your research into the estate agent first. Don’t be shy. After all, you’re likely to part with a few thousand pounds once the sale has gone through. So make sure you get your money’s worth

dining room furniture

Staging your property

What can you do to make the property more appealing? Whether it’s necessary or not, there’s nothing worse than not selling your house because it needs a little TLC.

If your house is in desperate need of a refresh, now might be the time to do it.

Now, I know what you’re thinking ‘why would I spend money to make my house look better when I’m planning to sell it?’

Because without making your house look and feel like a home, you’re unlikely to sell it quickly. Or, you’ll end up selling under market value. Both of which are less than ideal situations to be in.

By the way, when we say staging, we don’t mean putting in some fake flowers – although that can be great too. We mean giving your house a feeling of warmth to encourage prospective buyers to see themselves living there.

You need to think of things like:

  • Have you cleared clutter?
  • Is your decor neutral?
  • Has your garden been well-maintained?
  • When was the last time you painted your walls/ceilings?
  • How are you showing the space? Does it feel cramped or spacious?
  • What kind of people do you think will buy your house?

Staging your property will make your property photos look that much better and, when people view your house, they’ll walk away with an impression.

Remember, people are likely to view multiple houses on the same day. You need to make sure yours stands out.

It also means that when people are searching for houses on a property app or a property portal, yours will immediately be more appealing!

mortgage documents

Arranging your mortgage early

Can you get a mortgage quicker? While this might not be the most exciting tip, it will certainly help speed the process up.

You may have heard it before and wondered why people wait until the last minute to apply for their mortgage. We feel the same.

Well, there’s no real reason for this. In fact, you can get a mortgage as soon as your property is on the market. This means as soon as you’re ready to sell your house, speak to a mortgage broker about your plans and financial obligations.

Another great thing about speaking to a mortgage broker early on in the process is that they may deal with people who are your ideal buyers. Mortgage brokers speak to people looking to buy a house all day.

Who’s to say they’re not speaking to the people who might be perfect for your house?

Property research

Advertise your property

Social media has become a great way to sell your property.

The potential reach on platforms like Facebook and Instagram is phenomenal. In fact, you might find that social media turns out to be where you source most of your viewings or potential buyers.

You can do it organically by asking your friends and family to share your posts. Or, you can put £20 into a Facebook Ad campaign.

A paid Facebook Ad campaign allows you to focus on your specific area and demographic that you believe is great for a house like yours.

Now, the likelihood is your estate agents are likely already advertising your house on sites like Rightmove and Zoopla (as they should) but, why not accelerate your chances of a quicker property sale by being proactive?

The benefits of using social media are:

  • You can connect with people directly
  • It’s a more natural way for people to communicate and arrange viewings
  • It’s less saturated in comparison to the major property portals
  • You can manage it from your phone whenever you like
  • Easy barrier to entry for paid campaigns

In summary

When selling a house, it’s important to get the right people through the door.

If you do your preparation right, you may even find that the whole process is quite smooth. Your house will never sell if you’re putting it in front of the wrong people. You have to consider the property market, what demand looks like and how saturated your local area is.

The key here is to stand out from your ‘competition’.

Do your research, pick the right estate agent and be proactive. Before you know it, you’ll be in your new house in no time!