I Need to Move Now! How Do I Sell My House Quickly?

Are you faced with a change that requires you to move right away? Whether it’s due to a new job, a family emergency, or you’re looking to switch districts before the next school year begins, selling a house quickly doesn’t have to be as stressful as you think. Working with the right agent can ensure you get a good price for your home without having it sit for very long.  

The good thing about having to sell a house during a seller’s market is that inventory remains low, so buyers are eager to jump on homes that come up for sale. Currently, in the St. Louis area, homes are selling within about 30 days, so yours shouldn’t take long with the right sales strategy.

And because buyer demand remains robust, you’re likely to receive offers at or above asking price. In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors, the median existing-home sales price is up 5.7% for the eighth consecutive month. An experienced real estate agent will know what homes in your area are selling for, and price yours competitively. 

When you’re in a hurry to sell, it’s best to focus on a few things that will matter most to buyers instead of extensive home improvements. A qualified real estate agent can also offer advice on what projects will give you the most “bang for your buck.” 

Make Curb Appeal a Priority

Homes that look good from the outside are always going to draw more interest than those that look run-down. Keeping the lawn mowed, trimming bushes, and pulling weeds are a must when trying to sell a home quickly. Laying new mulch in flower beds can also brighten up the landscape. 

To make the entryway more inviting, power wash the sidewalk and apply a fresh coat of paint to the front door. Then, place a few pots of colorful flowers on the porch, along with a new welcome mat.

For nighttime viewing, make sure the house is easy to see from the street. Replace any burned-out bulbs by the garage or on the porch, and consider adding some uplighting to highlight the house. 

Declutter, Clean, and Paint So Your Home Shows Well Online

Today’s buyers spend most of their time browsing real estate websites. If they don’t like your home from what they see in photos, they won’t make an appointment to see it in person. While selling a house quickly means you won’t have time to make certain updates that appeal to buyers in pictures, there are ways to make your property shine as much as possible.

First and foremost, the clutter has to go. Go through every room and get rid of things you won’t take to the next house. Then, minimize the stuff you decide to keep. Clear off kitchen counters and hide the toaster and air fryer in a cabinet. Stash the kids’ toys away in cute containers, or better yet, in the basement storage room. Make sure your toiletries aren’t scattered throughout the bathroom, and that all laundry has made it into a hamper. 

Next, clean as much as possible. If you have the budget for it, hire a professional cleaning crew. Spending a couple hundred dollars for a deep clean could be well worth it, considering that a recent study by Homelight shows that it could add about $3,700 to the sale of a home. If you opt to clean it yourself, focus on all the dirt and grime that will show up in photos. Shower doors need to sparkle. Carpets and rugs should be free of dark spots. Any marks on the walls need to be removed.

Finally, paint over pink and purple walls with neutral colors. Buyers are sometimes turned off by brightly colored rooms and instead prefer to see a home as a blank slate for their own style.

Selling a house quickly doesn’t leave much time for cosmetic changes, but it does require fixing things that won’t pass a home inspection (unless you plan to sell the house as-is). Hiring your own inspector prior to putting your home on the market can give you a to-do list for essential repairs. 

Typical areas that will need to be addressed are:

The roof. Leaks and damaged shingles indicate the age of the roof. If a buyer has a government-backed loan and the roof is expected to last less than two more years, their loan will not be approved unless the roof is replaced. It’s a big ticket item, but one that could make or break the sale of your home. 

Plumbing. Leaks in the sink, toilet, or bathtub will need to be fixed right away. If a home inspection finds evidence of leaks on the walls, floor, or ceiling, they will note it on the report. 

Electrical issues. Exposed or frayed wires in your electrical system will not pass code, so you will have to hire an electrician to fix these if it’s not in your wheelhouse. You’ll also need to have GFCI outlets in bathrooms, kitchens, and anywhere else where a water source is nearby.

HVAC. The air conditioner and furnace must be working properly in order to please buyers and pass inspection, so issues with these should be addressed and fixed as soon as you know you need to move.

Basement/foundation. This can be a big reason for a sale falling through. If you see cracks in basement walls, you will want to repair them with waterproof sealer or concrete patches. Any deeper foundation problems found in the inspection will need to be repaired or disclosed to potential buyers, and they could affect the buyer’s loan approval. 

Since you’re trying to sell a home quickly, there might not be time to have some bigger repairs made before you need to move. If that’s the case, your realtor will help you calculate an appropriate price reduction so the buyer can afford to make the repairs. Or, your realtor will help facilitate the repairs in your absence. That’s just one of the many advantages of using a real estate agent! 

When wondering “How do I sell my house quickly?” you may be tempted to contact a company that promises to take your house off your hands fast — and for cash. Those are investment companies that typically pay only 60% to 70% of what a home is worth so they can flip it and make a profit. Unfortunately, that’s the profit sellers could have made if they’d been just a little more patient.

Working with a reputable realtor has benefits, even when you’re in a hurry to sell. They know all the tips and tricks for prepping homes to sell quickly and are knowledgeable about the value of homes in the area. Instead of paying you less for your home so they can make more (like the “we buy any houses” guys), they find buyers who are willing to pay what your home is worth — allowing you to pocket your profit so you can put it down on your next home!

When you’re ready to move out of your home and on to your next adventure, agents at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties will do everything we can to reduce your stress. We’ll offer marketing expertise, show your home when you can’t be there, and even coordinate your closing to work with your busy schedule. Contact us today to get started.

Cover photo by Andy Dean Photography by Canva.com