You need to sell house fast. Maybe you are facing repossession. Maybe you inherited a property that is more than you can manage. Maybe you need to relocate. No matter what your “maybe,” there are options that can facilitate a quicker sale.

5 Ways to Sell House Fast

The best way to proceed is to have all the information necessary for sound decisions. Here are some options for a quick – or quicker – sale:

1. Make Necessary Improvements

One of the ways that you can sell house fast is to capitulate to typical buyers – i.e. the buyers who require mortgages. Their lenders have certain standards and will not lend money to properties that fall outside their parameters. If this is your target buyer, you may need to invest some time and money into repairs, improvements and upgrades. 

Depending on the condition of your home, this may mean taking some simple steps to deep clean, declutter and boost kerb appeal. If your property is in less-than-ideal shape, though, it may mean a new roof, extensive electrical or plumbing work, foundation repair, subsidence remediation… And this can cost thousands (or tens of thousands) of pounds. 

If you want to appeal to a typical buyer, this entails taking typical steps, such as upgrades, improvements, staging and viewings. A market-ready house can, hopefully, accelerate the process and get you close to your asking price. Will it be enough to recoup your investment in repairs? Likely not.

2. Change Your Estate Agent and/or Opt for a Multi-Agency Approach

Is your current estate agent doing enough to market your property? Or are they just going through the motions? A motivated agent can make all the difference between a property that lingers on the market and one that results in completion. It may be worth your while to review your agreement with your estate agent and see if there is room to shift gears. (Some agents include provisions that they receive a commission on the sale of your home even if you switch agents. You want to avoid this, if at all possible). 

If you have not seen movement in some time, consider engaging with a different agent. You may also find a multi-agency situation works better. In this case, you list your home with multiple agents. The first to secure a buyer is the one who receives the commision. This can create an advantageous sense of competition – or it can result in an agent who settles on the first offer. The old adage says, “Buyer beware.” Sellers should also beware!

3. Drop Your Asking Price

Another way to sell house fast is to lower your expectations. No one wants to do this – but lowering your price can attract the right buyer or, if you are lucky, ignite a bidding war. It is important to establish a minimum price. This is what you will accept, and no further. 

When dropping your price after completing repairs and upgrades, though, you can stand to lose a great deal of money.

4. Do an “Assisted Sale”

An assisted sale may be the solution to a fast sale – or it may be another problem with which you must contend. With this process, a third party company takes control of your mortgage payments, property maintenance and council tax. They provide an upfront infusion of cash to help you purchase another home and purport to sell your existing property quickly.

This can backfire as it puts the control into the hands of another party. They will then manage refurbishments and sales processes in exchange for a share of the profit – which will likely be very high. Do your research before entering into any agreement for an assisted sale. You want to safeguard your finances and your future.

5. Find the Right Cash Buyer 

Cash buyers are in the market for a variety of properties for a variety of reasons. They may be interested in revamping them and converting them for rentals, renovating them and reselling, holding on to them for their portfolios, developing them into more viable assets, etc. Regardless, they have the funds necessary to complete a sale within days – rather than the months, or longer, an average sale takes. They also purchase homes in as-is conditions, so you do not need to undertake extensive projects in order to appeal to them.

Which is the right route for you when you want to sell house fast?