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6 Ways to Sell Your House Quickly After a Bridging Loan
Selling a house can be a stressful process, especially if you’re on a tight timeline. Whether you’re relocating for a job, managing financial changes, or simply eager to move, getting your home sold quickly is often a top priority.
Here are three proven strategies to help you sell your house faster and maximise its appeal to potential buyers.
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1. Drop the Price
When it comes to reeling in a big sale, you’ll often have to choose between selling quickly or getting the right price. Of course, there are always occasions that surprise you, like a 3 bed-detached house in a great catchment area getting no attention, or unique property in need of TLC garnering a bidding war.
But generally, if you’re willing to wait it out, you can find the right buyer and the right price. And if you want to sell fast, you might want to reduce your asking price.
As with any sale, dropping below market value slightly can help you build some buzz.
Pricing your property competitively is one of the most important steps to ensure a quick sale. Overpricing your home can deter potential buyers and leave your property sitting on the market for too long, to some, this can give the impression that something might be wrong with it.
To find a listing price that’s competitive, but doesn’t lowball too much, you can:
- Research local market trends
- Look at similar homes ("comps") in your area that have recently sold.
- Work with an experienced real estate agent: They can provide insights into the local market and help you avoid common pricing pitfalls.
Everyone wants to get a great offer for their home but setting it at a reasonable price is likely to generate more interest and can lead to multiple offers, which may even drive up the final sale price.
2. Enhance Kerb Appeal
First impressions matter, and it can be easy to underestimate how big a part looks play when it comes to selling your home. A well-maintained exterior sets the tone for prospective buyers and encourages them to take a closer look.
Here are some simple things you can do:
- Spruce up the garden
- Mow the lawn, trim hedges, and plant some fresh flowers to add a pop of color
- Quick fixes
- Apply a fresh coat of paint to the front door, clean the windows, and replace worn-out fixtures like doorknobs or house numbers
- Stage the entrance
- A clean, inviting porch with a welcome mat or a few potted plants can make a big difference.
As for inside your house, decluttering and staging can helps buyers visualise themselves living in the space. Remove personal items, rearrange furniture to highlight key features, and add neutral décor can make your home more appealing to a wider audience.
3. Leverage Smart Marketing
Effective marketing is key to reaching the right buyers quickly. With most buyers starting their home search online, your property needs to stand out on digital platforms.
Use professional photography: High-quality photos can showcase your home’s best features and attract more views online.
Offer virtual tours: Virtual or 3D tours allow potential buyers to explore your home from the comfort of their own space, increasing interest and reducing unnecessary showings.
Write compelling descriptions: Highlight unique features, recent upgrades, and the benefits of your neighbourhood.
List on the right platforms: Work with a real estate agent who can list your property on multiple platforms and tap into their network of potential buyers.
In addition, leveraging social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or even TikTok can amplify your home’s exposure and reach a broader audience.
Bonus Tip: Be Flexible with Showings
The more accessible your home is to potential buyers, the faster it will sell. Be prepared to accommodate last-minute showings and maintain a "show-ready" state to leave a positive impression on visitors.
4. Prioritise Cash Buyers
Two out of three homebuyers will be using a mortgage, which typically involves an onward chain. This isn’t inherently bad. The average home in the UK sells for over £200,000, so it’s more than understandable that the average person would be using finance to purchase a home.
However, mortgage chains can be lengthy and precarious. If anything goes wrong at any part of the mortgage process, this can have a knock-on effect on your deal.
Cash-only buyers are people buying without a mortgage, and they’re usually your ticket to ensure a quicker home sale.
Without a mortgage, a house purchase can be completed almost immediately.
If you’re looking to sell quickly, it’s worth focusing on attracting cash-only buyers, because it’s likely to complete more quickly than a mortgage.
But if you can’t find a cash-buyer, it’s not the end of the world.
Not everyone using a mortgage will have a mortgage chain (first-time buyers for example, will be chain-free), and in some cases, funds will be released in as little as a few weeks.
5. Sell at Auction
If completing the sale quickly is your main goal, selling at auction may be the best course of action.
It’s worth noting that properties sold at auction typically sell for 10-15% less than market value, and an auction doesn’t guarantee a sale. That being said, the promise of a discount attracts interest, and there are cases where a bidding war can drive the price up to above market value.
Auction purchases are processed in on month, so if you do sell your home at auction you can typically expect it to complete in 30 days.
6. Switch Estate Agents
If you feel you’re doing everything right and you’re still struggling to sell your home, it may be worth changing estate agents. While estate agents are powerful professionals to have on your side, there are situations where one estate agent’s approach may not be the best fit, and it’s worth shopping around to find something that works for you.
What's Next?
We hope these tips offer some guidance on selling your home. That being said, if you're concerned that you may not be able to sell your home before your bridging terms end, it's worth reaching out to your lender to communicate this. One of the key advantages of bridging finance is that there is some room for flexibility.
Once your lender is aware of your circumstances, they may be able to find an arrangement that suits you both moving forward.
At Clifton Private Finance, our team will be in contact after your loan is acquired to offer additional support and point you in the right direction if you have further questions.
To see what we can do for you, give us a call at 01179595094 or book a free consultation below.
