Selling your home is stressful at the best of times, but when you need to make a quick sale, whether because you’re moving across state for a fab new job opportunity, or because you simply need to free up some cash fast, then it can be more stressful than just about anything else in your life. Thankfully, there are plenty of things you can do to speed up the process and make selling your house quickly less of an ordeal for you and your family, while also ensuring you get a good price for your place too.
1. Price to Sell, Not to Dream
It’s tempting to shoot for the moon with your asking price. After all, everyone wants to get the most for their home. But when you need a quick sale, overpricing is a surefire way to make your property gather dust on the listings. Do your homework: look at similar homes in your area, check what they actually sold for (not just what they were listed at), and set a price that makes buyers pay attention.
If you underprice slightly, you might even spark a bidding war, which is far better than waiting months for a single lowball offer.
2. Declutter and Depersonalise
Buyers aren’t there to admire your wall of family photos, your quirky mug collection, or your “lived-in” laundry corner. They want to picture themselves in the space, and they can’t do that if your personality is splashed across every surface.
Clear out as much as possible. Rent a storage unit if you have to. Neutral spaces feel bigger, calmer, and more inviting, and that translates into quicker sales.
3. Stage It (But Keep It Simple)
Staging doesn’t mean bringing in an army of interior designers. It can be as simple as arranging furniture to maximise space, adding a vase of fresh flowers, and letting in plenty of natural light. Think hotel vibes: clean, neutral, and inviting.
Small touches like fluffy towels in the bathroom or a neatly set dining table go a long way in helping buyers feel at home.
4. Don’t Forget Curb Appeal
First impressions matter. The outside of your home sets the tone before anyone even steps through the door. Mow the lawn, trim the hedges, repaint the front door, and clean the windows. Even power-washing the driveway can make your house look instantly fresher.
A buyer who pulls up and thinks “this looks well cared for” is already halfway to making an offer.
5. Fix the Little Things
You don’t have time for a full kitchen remodel, but you can definitely handle the squeaky door, the dripping tap, or the cracked tile. These small flaws may seem insignificant to you, but they scream “maintenance headache” to buyers.
When time is short, focus on the easy wins. A few hours of quick fixes can make your home feel move-in ready, which is exactly what a fast-moving buyer wants.
6. Invest in Professional Photos
In today’s market, your first viewing isn’t in person – it’s online. If your listing photos look dark, blurry, or like they were taken on a potato, you’ll lose interest before anyone even books a showing.
Professional photos make your home shine, show off its best features, and increase clicks. More clicks mean more viewings, and more viewings mean faster offers.
7. Be Flexible (Even if It’s a Hassle)
Want to sell quickly? You need to make it easy for people to see your home. That means being open to evening and weekend showings, keeping the place tidy at all times, and saying “yes” to last-minute requests.
It’s inconvenient, yes. But remember, every showing is a potential sale.
8. Sweeten the Deal
If you’re in a rush, a little incentive can go a long way. Offer to cover closing costs, throw in appliances, or even leave behind furniture that suits the space. These extras can tip the scales for a buyer who’s on the fence.
Sometimes it’s not about dropping the price but about making your home feel like the better overall package.
9. Work with the Right Buyers
If you’re really pressed for time, the traditional market might not cut it. Mortgage approvals, chain buyers, and endless negotiations can drag out for months. That’s where alternatives like cash buyers come in.
This is where companies that buy houses, like Dello Investments, step in. They specialise in fast transactions, often letting you sell your house as is without worrying about repairs or staging. With their “we buy houses with cash” approach, you can skip the uncertainty of bank financing and move straight to closing. For homeowners who value speed and certainty over squeezing out the very last pound, this option is often a lifesaver.
10. Know Your Priorities
At the end of the day, selling quickly often means balancing speed against price. If you need top dollar, you may have to wait. But if your goal is peace of mind and a clean break, choosing convenience can be the smartest move.
Sometimes having the deal done, the money in your account, and the stress behind you is worth more than chasing the dream price.
The Bottom Line
Needing a quick sale doesn’t mean you’re out of options. From clever pricing and staging to boosting curb appeal and leveraging professional photography, there are plenty of traditional tactics that can shave weeks or even months off your timeline. But when urgency is non-negotiable, looking at companies that buy houses (Dello Investments, sell your house as is, we buy houses with cash, companies that buy houses) can take you from listing to closing in record time.
In other words, selling fast is about being strategic. Do the basics right, know when to offer incentives, and be open to non-traditional buyers. That’s how you move from “For Sale” to “Sold” without losing sleep, or sanity.
Because at the end of the day, a quick sale isn’t just about speed. It’s about getting on with your life, and sometimes, that’s the most valuable result of all.
