If you’re a property owner, there are many reasons you might want to sell your investment, and fast. Underperforming investments might be a drain on your finances or you might just need to get hold of some money in a hurry. 

While selling your house can take weeks or even months, it would be worthwhile to know that the longer your property stays on the market, it it also reducing its chances of being sold. Buyers are naturally wary of a property that has been listed for a while. 

This is why we’ve put together some expert tips for selling your house that might help speed up the process. Read on as we share everything you need to know about selling your home fast. 

The time of year that your property goes to market has been shown to significantly impact the pace of sales. When it comes to selling houses in Australia, the data tells us that property sales in November are 6% higher than they are in January. This suggests that the end of the year (and more specifically the spring and early summer) can be one of the best times to sell your house. 

These sales trends are particularly strong in capital cities, including Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart and vary according to location. Some areas don’t see such significant changes at all. This is the case in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, where sellers don’t have to worry as much about the timing of their sales. 

With just the right renovations, you can add a whole lot of value to your property and also make it much more attractive to buyers. When you’re selling a property, it’s generally recommended to focus your renovation efforts in the kitchen and bathrooms. 

As these rooms tend to date quickly and show more signs of wear and tear, a modern kitchen or bathroom renovation will unlock the most value in your investment property. 

You can also consider updating these key areas: 

• Flooring: Swap any stained carpets or scratched floorboards for luxury vinyl flooring and new nylon carpets to immediately elevate the look and feel of your property.
• Bathroom fixtures: Update old tapware, door handles and cupboards with more modern replacements from your local hardware store.
• Security: Consider installing outdoor lighting, repairing locks and adding secure fencing to help future buyers feel like they will be safe in the property.

A well-presented home will appeal to a wider pool of buyers at open homes and help them fall in love with your property. If a buyer feels an emotional attachment toward your property then they are more likely to make a higher offer and buy quickly. And the key to making this happen? Property staging. 

While you might be tempted to style your home yourself, it’s usually worth investing in professional property staging to get the most out of your property. In fact, most property stagings offer a 500% return on investment. This means that an investment of $2000 in professional home staging could increase the value of your property by $10,000. 

While the exact costs of home staging vary depending on the level of service that you require, you can expect to pay between $150 and $500 for an initial consultation and then an additional $1500 for a basic staging service. 

A scruffy exterior can immediately put buyers off and impact the rest of a viewing. It’s important not to forget about exteriors and give your property the chance to make a good first impression. That means hiring a professional to:

• Repaint cracked or tired paintwork 
• Landscape gardens
• Fix fencing
• Remove cobwebs 
• Pressure wash property exterior and driveway
• Add flowerpots and attractive shrubbery to your entryway

These days, it's crucial that your property attract some interest online, and the best way to do this is through high-quality photos and videos. The right pictures and edited videos will make your property stand on real estate websites, and also capture the attention of potential buyers using social media automation tools as well. You could also design your own website to showcase the property.

Australian research shows that 99% of real estate agents believe high-quality photos generate more interest among buyers, while a study from the US shows that the right imagery can add anywhere between $1,000 to $100,000 to the final sale price. This generally makes investing in professional photography worth the initial costs as part of your property’s marketing campaign.

So how much does professional photography and videography cost? While prices do depend on the photographer or videographer you’re using and the number of photos you have taken, you can expect to pay between $150 to $350 for a standard set of daytime images and around $200 to $750 for dusk or evening photos. A whole day of photography can cost you anywhere between $1,500 and $15,000. Another way to maximize great images and videos is by incorporating a UCAAS System into your website. It ensures proper communication with your potential clients and increases sales conversion since all their concerns and queries are being addressed immediately.

Always ask your real estate agent for their photographer recommendations (and have a look at their reviews online if available!). This is the best way to make sure you get a reputable photographer and know you’re getting the maximum return on your property sale for the added expense.

Hiring a good real estate agent can help you get your property sold quickly but finding the right agent isn’t always as easy as it seems. If you want your property to sell fast then you want your real estate agent to have a certain level of experience, and ideally, a good track record in your local area. 

When it comes to choosing the right real estate agent, consider the following strategies: 

• Ask friends or family for recommendations 
• Stick to real estate agents in your local area 
• Research a few different agent’s services, sales history and testimonials 
• Review their sales history 
• Check their commission rate 
• Look at their advertising and marketing methods 

In the end, it’s important to go with an agent that you feel comfortable with. While high valuations and low commission rates may be appealing, you should always be able to trust in their ability to sell your property. 

Remember, it’s always better to sell your investment property quickly than let it sit on the market too long. While slow sales times are sometimes unavoidable, there are also many things that you can do to encourage a faster sale of your property. 

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