You bought yourself a house, spent time and effort turning it into a home, and then life happened.

Whether your reasons are financial or personal, the fact is you want to sell your house as quickly as possible. 

Selling a house can sometimes be a stressful experience, especially when you're in a hurry to sell it. But not if you follow our seven smart tips to sell your house fast. 

1. Get an experienced agent 

Don't forget that real estate agents like Chinneck Shaw are as keen as you are to sell your house. They are highly motivated to get the best price as quickly as possible.

That being said, some are known for their speedy sales. So ask around, and don't be afraid to ask for references or to negotiate a commission you are happy to pay.

Of course, you could forego the agent and save yourself the commission fees. But an experienced agent will know all the tricks of the trade to sell your house fast. Discuss your needs with them. Together, you can settle on an asking price and a timeline that works for you.

2. Enhance your home's curb appeal 

Simple things like tidying up gardens, repainting front doors, replacing hardware like doorknobs and house numbers, and installing attractive residential mailboxes are tried and trusted tricks for updating houses for sale. These are relatively inexpensive tweaks that create maximum impact for minimal effort.

The first thing that potential buyers will see is your home's exterior. If they like what they see on the outside, they'll be more likely to want to view the inside. The reverse can also be true. So to prevent prospective buyers from turning around at the front gate, do what you can to make your house look more appealing.

3. Update the faucets and fixtures

Old, leaky faucets and outdated fixtures can put buyers off pretty quickly. Swop your old faucets for modern ones. They don't have to be expensive or ornate. Simple, sleek styles are the way to go for a look that's fresh and modern. If that's not in the budget, fix leaks and shine up your existing faucets.

And don't forget hardware like medicine cabinets, towel rails, or kitchen cabinet doorknobs. Cleaning these up or replacing them with modern alternatives will make your kitchen and bathroom look more current. These are simple ways in which you can increase the value of your home without breaking the bank.

4. Take professional photos

When looking at houses to buy online, potential buyers react first to what they can see. Often, the pictures of a house can make or break a sale before they even investigate further. Professional photos are crucial, especially if you go the FSBO (For Sale By Owner) route. 

Don't rely on your skills unless you are a professional photographer. A professional will know how to capture your home from the best angles and in optimum light conditions. Let them work their magic, and you will have a much faster sale.

5. Let the light In

A dark, dingy property is not on anyone's wish list. Let the light and some fresh air welcome potential buyers. Clean all the windows, as well as the blinds and curtains. Open the curtains and leave windows slightly open when you have an open house viewing. 

Older houses often have attractive feature windows that could be a selling point if clean and highlighted in this way. If your curtains are looking a little shabby, remove them and hang new ones to display your windows in their best light. Beautiful new curtains are sure to make a good impression during the house viewing. 

6. Be competitive

Competitive pricing is a sure-fire way to get your house sold more quickly. Set the price slightly lower than houses in a similar category in your area, and you'll sell your home more quickly. 

But be careful not to drop the price too much. Buyers may see this as an indication that there is something amiss with the property. The aim here is to make buying your home look like a great deal, not a suspicious one. 

7. Make it a cash sale at a reduced price

You won't have the hassles of having a buyer's financing fall through with this option. But be prepared to drop the asking price. Cash sales are simpler and, therefore, faster. The downside is that cash buyers are not as plentiful as financed ones. So if you are focused on selling fast, do so at a reduced price.

This type of offer generally attracts people who buy and flip houses for a profit. The benefit here is that you will be spared the cost of upgrades and renovations to your home. They will be doing that themselves. 

Wrapping up

Ultimately, if you follow the above tips, you'll be giving your home the best shot of attracting a buyer, increasing your odds of selling it quickly, and for top dollar.

Good luck, and hopefully you sell your house fast!

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