Insights
How to Sell Your House Faster: 10 Proven Tips That Work
by Oakheart
1) Price it to match the market, not the memory
Overpricing is one of the quickest ways to slow a sale. Buyers compare your home against similar properties in the same area, and if yours feels high for the size, condition or location, it gets filtered out early.
A strong pricing strategy is rooted in local sold prices and current competition, not best case thinking. If you are unsure where your home sits, start with a proper valuation and make sure it is backed by evidence, not optimism.
2) Win the first impression before anyone steps inside
Buyers form an opinion in seconds, and it starts at the kerb. The entrance, frontage and approach should feel cared for, simple and welcoming.
Quick, high impact changes include clearing the doorway, cleaning glazing and external lights, tidying bins, cutting grass and edging borders, and making parking obvious if you have a driveway. These small adjustments often translate into better viewing energy, and that matters when buyers are seeing multiple homes in one afternoon
3) Declutter properly, then style with purpose
Decluttering is about space and flow, not stripping a home bare. Buyers want to picture furniture fitting comfortably, storage being usable, and day to day life feeling easy.
Clear kitchen worktops, reduce furniture in tight rooms, and remove anything that blocks light through windows and doorways. Then add subtle touches that make it feel considered, a simple table setting, fresh towels, a plant. The aim is calm, bright and natural.
4) Fix the little things buyers use to negotiate
Small defects slow decisions because they create doubt. A dripping tap, a stiff door, flaking paint or tired sealant can become a mental list for negotiation, even if the structure is sound.
Before marketing begins, handle the basics: light bulbs, handles, squeaks, grout and sealant, loose sockets, scuffed walls, chipped woodwork. Buyers move faster when a home feels maintained, and they tend to negotiate less aggressively too.
5) Make your home photograph ready, not just clean
Clean is expected. Photograph ready is what generates clicks and enquiries on Rightmove and Zoopla.
On photography day, remove visual noise: drying racks, pet items, bulky toiletries, excess countertop appliances, overflowing shelves. Open curtains, switch on lamps, straighten bedding, and keep the palette calm. This is where a well planned shoot makes a measurable difference, because better images usually mean more viewings, sooner.
6) Upgrade your marketing because portals are competitive
Most buyers will first meet your home through the listing, so the marketing needs to do the heavy lifting. If the photography is average, the headline is vague, or the description does not answer questions, you lose interest before the viewing stage.
High performing listings typically include strong imagery, a clear floorplan, accurate measurements, and a description that highlights what buyers care about: parking, garden, school catchments, station links, layout, condition, and upgrades. Oakheart’s marketing approach leans into clarity and pace, so the right buyers understand the value quickly and act decisively.
7) Create early momentum with the right launch plan
A faster sale often comes down to how you launch. The first fortnight is when your listing is freshest, most visible, and most likely to reach buyers who are actively booking viewings.
A focused launch plan means preparing everything in advance, going live with strong marketing assets, and being ready to take viewings quickly. It also helps if your home reaches motivated buyers through an existing database, not only through portal traffic.
8) Make viewings easy to book and comfortable to experience
If buyers struggle to view, they move on. Flexible access supports speed, especially in busy markets.
Offer evenings and weekends if you can, keep the home consistently presentable, and aim for a warm, well lit feel during viewings. Open internal doors to improve flow, keep the temperature comfortable, and reduce distractions. If you have pets, plan ahead so the viewing feels calm.
9) Be paperwork ready to reduce conveyancing delays
Agreeing a sale is only part of selling your house quickly. Many delays happen after the offer is accepted, often because documents and information were not organised early.
Instruct your solicitor or conveyancer promptly, gather certificates and guarantees, and make sure you can access key documents if relevant (boiler service history, electrical work, windows, warranties, roof repairs). For leasehold properties, be ready with service charge details, ground rent, and management information. Oakheart can also help you anticipate the common pinch points that slow transactions once the offer is agreed.
10) Review offers with certainty in mind, not just price
The best offer is not always the highest on paper. A chain free buyer with proof of funds can often complete faster than a slightly higher offer with uncertainty behind it.
When reviewing offers, consider deposit position, mortgage readiness, chain complexity, and any conditions being attached. A confident negotiation process, followed by consistent follow up through the sales progression stage, helps keep the deal moving when surveys and solicitor enquiries begin.
A final thought on selling faster
If you want to sell your house faster, focus on what drives buyer action: accurate pricing, strong presentation, standout marketing and a smooth route from offer to completion. Get those right and you improve both speed and outcome.
If you are selling in Essex or Suffolk and want a tailored plan, Oakheart can advise on valuation, presentation, marketing and progression, built around your home and your timeline.
