Life is always one event away from major change. A job relocation, financial problems, divorce, a new baby, or other pressing motivation could mean you need to sell your house fast — let’s say, 5 days flat. Is this type of lightning-quick sale possible?
On average, homes in Rome, GA sell after 37 days on the market. The trend for median days on the market in Rome, GA has gone down since last month, and slightly down since last year.
So if you’re able to get an offer in a fraction of that time, you’ll be overcoming some pretty steep odds. However, it’s not unheard of for properties to go under contract in 5 days or less. Some houses sell before they officially hit the market.
Sell Your House in 5 Days
Selling your house in just 5 days may seem unlikely, but it’s more achievable than you might think. Although completing the entire sale process from listing to closing typically takes longer than a week, it’s entirely possible to secure a deal and have a contract signed very quickly.
The Perfect Scenario
If your home’s got the charm, you’ve got the hustle, and a buyer with a go-getter attitude shows up, then you could very well have a deal on your hands in no time flat.
It’s all about having your ducks in a row and the stars aligning just right.
Think of it as throwing the perfect barbecue — you’ve got the yard looking neat as a pin, the grill’s hot, and the burgers are sizzling just so. Then, folks come by, drawn in by the aroma and the good vibes, and before you know it, you’ve got a backyard full of happy guests.
Selling your house fast is kinda like that. Make it inviting, price it right, and be ready to move when the buyer steps up. It’s about making everyone feel at home and sealing the deal while the iron’s hot. Sure, the full closing process will take a tad longer, but getting that contract signed in 5 days? That’s a sweet little victory in itself.
Cash Offer on Your House in 5 Days?
If you need to sell your house in 5 days, consider bypassing the traditional real estate process and selling your home to a cash buyer instead.
This method cuts out a lot of time-consuming steps, including:
- No pre-listing preparations or repairs
- No showings
- No open houses
- No home appraisal
- No financing contingency or delays
In February 2023, it took approximately 50 days to close on a purchase loan on average, according to data from ICE Mortgage Technology. So, even if you sign a purchase offer in 5 days, you’ll likely still face a significant waiting period when working with a financed buyer.
… but let’s see how we can increase our chances when you want to sell your house in 5 days.
Price Your Home a Little Under the Comps
Precise pricing is imperative when you’re up against a tight deadline. Price your home too high, and buyers won’t rush in with offers.
Hudson, our Washington state real estate agent, recommends that your listing agent reach out to the agents of any comparable homes as soon as they enter escrow to find out what they’ve sold for before the information is available elsewhere.
Armed with the most recent sales data possible, your agent can create an ultra-accurate comparative market analysis and pinpoint the best price for your home. Hudson demonstrates how this tactic recently helped her sell a home in less than 5 days:
Strategy
A potent pricing strategy that nearly guarantees offers in 5 days is to price your home below market value. Buyers carefully watching the market will jump at the opportunity to purchase a home priced below the competition.
Leverage
If you receive multiple offers, you can use them as leverage to spark a bidding war, driving the final sale price well above the listing price.
This strategy works best in a seller’s market where home prices are steady or trending upward. If there are significantly more homes than buyers in your market, you’re less likely to receive multiple offers and may conclude your sale with a lower-than-ideal price.
Account for Recent Market Changes
The real estate market is constantly changing, and as trends come and go, it’s important you move with them. What might help sell your home at lightning speed today might not work as well in a month.
The real estate industry is dynamic, with the number of days homes linger on the market fluctuating. To sell your house fast, it’s essential to understand the current market trends and adapt your strategy accordingly.
Working with a local real estate agent who has expertise in selling homes quickly can be pivotal. They can offer real estate solutions that market your home effectively, often leading to a sale within five days.
If you need to sell ASAP and are looking for the fastest way to sell without breaking the bank, pricing your home slightly below market value can go a long way. It’s also possible to sell your house as-is to a cash home-buying company, which can expedite the transaction and eliminate the average days on the market.
Selling to a cash buyer or an iBuyer can offer a fast sale at a fair price, ensuring you get the home off your hands promptly.
The National Association of Realtors suggests that such strategies are becoming increasingly viable for homeowners looking to sell their property quickly and for market value.
Declutter Using Your Garage as Storage
Though not the most glamorous task, decluttering speeds up your home sale like no other. And previous HomeLight research reveals that reducing clutter can add over $2,500 to your home’s value.
When decluttering, remember that buyers want to envision the rooms with their belongings in them, not yours, so the more you remove, the better. Stage key pieces of furniture to showcase the room and leave the rest up to the imagination. Not sure what else to do? Here are some tips:
- Clear all personal items off desks and countertops to avoid distractions
- Hide away any unnecessary furniture or miscellaneous items in each room to create space
- Pack up any visible items you won’t need this month
- Clean counters and furniture to get rid of any dust or mess
- Make sure all hallways and walking areas are clear
Save Money on Storage Units
Skip the storage unit and pack out your garage instead.
“I often advise sellers that a garage brimming with boxes isn’t a deal-breaker. Whether it’s packed high or sitting empty, it won’t affect your home’s value one bit.” — Grant Garab.
A spotless home with moving boxes in the garage signals to buyers that you’re ready to move as soon as a deal closes. If you run out of space in the garage, boxes in the basement, attic, closets, or temporary storage shed work well too.
Stage a Home Office for Today’s Remote Workforce
With the rise of remote work, a home office has transitioned from a luxury to a necessity for many. As we approach the end of 2023, it’s expected that a quarter of all professional jobs in North America will offer remote work options. This shift has directly influenced homebuyers’ preferences, with a growing demand for properties that feature dedicated office spaces.
If your home includes an office setup, it’s crucial to present it in the best possible light. A tidy, well-organized workspace allows potential buyers to envision themselves working there. Ensure the area is clutter-free and well-lit when photographing for your listing.
For those without an existing home office, consider converting a spare bedroom or an area in your basement into a makeshift office. The staging doesn’t have to be elaborate; a simple, neat arrangement with a desk, comfortable chair, and a laptop can illustrate the potential of the space. Demonstrating how various areas in your home can function as workspaces can be an attractive selling point, particularly for those who envision working remotely in their new home.
While you prep, mark your house as ‘Coming Soon’
One simple way to generate more interest in your property: build anticipation. Posting your home as “coming soon” not only gives buyers a sneak peek into your house but also gives you a leg up against others hitting the MLS at the same time.
After all, the earlier you showcase your property, the earlier you can attract potential buyers.
Marking your home as “coming soon” is precisely as it sounds. Your agent will list your home with photos and basic details to generate interest in the property.
However, no showings or open houses are allowed until the property officially hits the market.
Clark says a “coming soon” label is part of an aggressive marketing strategy. Connect with your real estate agent to get professional photos taken of your home and create a strong online listing.
The goal is to get more eyes on your property so you can already have a head start when the active listing goes live.
“You really want to funnel as much energy and good vibes and interest into the property as you can,” Clark says.
Note: Clark says it’s important to ensure your “coming soon” listing adheres to all local rules and MLS policies. Typically, properties must be added to the MLS with a “coming soon” label within 72 hours of being made public. Once there, there’s a limited time they can remain in that status before becoming active or being removed.
Are You Able to Sell a House in 5 Days at Market Value
Selling a house quickly, especially within a 5-day window, is a task that requires a combination of strategic pricing, marketing, and the readiness of the seller to act swiftly. While achieving a sale at market value in such a short period is challenging, it’s not impossible.
The key lies in understanding the current market dynamics and positioning your home to stand out amongst the competition.
The prospect of selling a house as-is and still fetching a good price is appealing to many sellers. In 2023, the real estate market has seen varying trends, but one constant remains: homes that are priced right and marketed effectively can sell rapidly. Selling a home quickly often involves pricing it competitively to attract a surge of interested buyers immediately. When a home enters the market at a price point that buyers recognize as fair and enticing, it can prompt quick offers, sometimes even resulting in a bidding war that pushes the sale price to its market value or above.
However, this approach doesn’t mean undercutting the value of your home. It means understanding the pulse of the market and the urgency of buyers. In some cases, homes sold “as-is” may attract investors or buyers looking for a deal, who are willing to close quickly. By tapping into this buyer pool and creating a sense of urgency, sellers may find that a quick sale at market value is indeed within reach in the current year’s market.
Key Points
- Selling a house within 5 days requires strategic pricing, effective marketing, and quick action from the seller.
- Achieving market value in such a short time frame is challenging but possible.
- Understanding and adapting to current market dynamics is crucial.
- Homes priced correctly and marketed well can sell rapidly, even within days.
- Competitive pricing may lead to immediate buyer interest and potential bidding wars.
- The goal is not to undercut your home’s value but to price it in line with buyer expectations and market conditions.
- Selling a house “as-is” could attract investors or deal-seeking buyers ready for a quick close.
- Creating urgency can tap into a buyer pool that’s willing to pay market value for a swift transaction.
Out-of-the-box marketing: Sell Your Home in 5 Days
Get buyers talking about your listing with unique marketing strategies. Marketing that inspires buyers to laugh or dream helps them connect with your property and motivates them to share your listing with others.
“We had a house for sale on a street called San Francisco Avenue, so we made a scavenger hunt of items you’d see in San Francisco for everybody who came in,” shares top real estate agent Liz Donnelly, who sells 68% more single homes than the average agent in Ventura, CA.
“We handed them a piece of paper with items like the Golden Gate Bridge and Rice-A-Roni — there were probably 10 things. We put one thing in each room, so everybody had to go into every room while they looked at the house.”
And the winning prizes? Chinese takeout boxes filled with chocolate-covered fortune cookies and Donnelly’s business card! Donnelly promoted the event to her network of agents and received double the average open house attendance, maximizing the listing’s exposure and contributing to the home’s quick sale.
Get creative with these buzz-worthy marketing tactics:
- Leverage quirky holidays: Tap into National Pizza Day and offer pizza slices during your open house. Or feature the top pizza joints near your property on your social media channels.
- Showcase the lifestyle your home supports: Use social media to give a virtual tour of your renovated spaces, share a cooking demonstration from your kitchen, or post a video of a local scenic bike route.
- Collaborate with an online personality: Team up with an influencer to host a digital event, such as a game night or virtual wine tasting, that features your home.
- Combine a yard sale with your open house: Kick off your listing with a “moving sale,” allowing you to declutter and welcome prospective buyers to view the home in a casual setting.
- Promote your home’s unique story: Contact local media if your home has a notable history, like appearing on screen, previous famous owners, or significant architectural details, to gain broader attention.
Connect to your non-local buyer pool
A savvy agent knows how to target out-of-area buyers, so your listing reaches as many prospects as possible the day it hits the market.
“We have a lot of buyers who work in Santa Barbara, and since Barbara’s far more expensive to live in, they choose to buy in Ventura,” shares Donnelly. “And very recently, we’ve had a lot of people inquiring about our homes who are anywhere east of us, say like Pasadena area, Los Angeles, or even south Orange County, who find that they can telecommute now that they don’t need to go into the office.”
When her listing goes live, Donnelly calls buyers’ agents in these areas to jump-start interest. Your agent can also reach out-of-town buyers with these tactics:
- Promote your listing posts on Facebook within a 15-mile radius in the region out-of-town buyers often come from.
- Add location hashtags to social media posts, for example, #losangelesrealestate and #santabarbararealestate.
- Email listing details and a virtual tour to real estate agents in target areas.
Cash Home Buyer: Quick Sale Curb Appeal
If selling fast isn’t enough motivation, buyers will also pay 7% percent more for a home with excellent curb appeal versus a house with a neglected exterior, according to HomeLight’s 2022 Top Agent Insights report. Agents estimate investing in your home’s curb appeal could add nearly $12,000 in resale value.
Consider these easy-to-do enhancements to boost your home’s curb appeal:
- Give your front porch a new paint job.
- Put down new mulch in your garden beds.
- Use bright ceramic pots for plants.
- Grow flowers that come back every year.
- Paint your front door a fresh color.
- Add or paint shutters and trims with cheerful colors.
- Fill window boxes with blooming flowers.
- Get a new mailbox that looks good with your house.
- Place a couple of matching chairs on your porch.
Pair pre-listing home inspection with a home warranty
When you pair a pre-listing home inspection with a complimentary home warranty, you assure buyers that your home is free from costly hidden issues. The more confident they feel about your home’s condition, the faster they’ll submit an offer.
With a pre-listing home inspection, you learn your home’s condition before you go to market to tackle necessary repairs on your own terms. With the inspection and repairs complete, your sale can close faster, cutting out back-and-forth negotiations over the inspection report.
Throw a cherry on top with an included home warranty. A home warranty costs on average around $600 and covers emergency expenses that arise from appliances, electrical systems, HVAC units, garage doors, and other home systems for the first year after the closing date.
Sell Your House Fast with Exclusive Incentives
Creating urgency among potential buyers can be effectively achieved by offering a special incentive for those who act fast. By introducing a limited-time offer, such as a unique gift with the purchase of your home within the first 5 days, you can spark immediate interest and even gain some extra publicity. For instance, a housing community in Nevada made headlines by offering a Tesla Model 3 with each home sale—a tactic that garnered significant media coverage and increased the property’s visibility.
To appeal to a wide range of buyers, consider including one of these attractive incentives with your home:
- Gift certificates to popular local restaurants or shops, showcasing community support.
- High-quality gym equipment for fitness enthusiasts.
- A curated whiskey collection for connoisseurs.
- A fully equipped game room ready for entertainment.
- A vehicle, which could be a compelling offer for many.
- A selection of stylish furniture to complement the home’s interior.
- Trendy electric bicycles for eco-friendly transportation.
- Offering to cover all closing costs can ease the financial burden for buyers.
- An outdoor entertainment area
These incentives not only make your home stand out but also show buyers that you’re serious about selling quickly and willing to go the extra mile to make the deal attractive.
Getting an offer in 5 days is possible
With the right pricing and marketing strategies, it’s possible to attract an offer on your home in 5 days. In the 2022 market, buyers love to see a move-in ready home with a home office and outdoor space — and they want to be able to experience the home online as much as possible.
If you’re going the traditional route, find the best real estate agent for the challenge, and remember to account for anywhere from 30-50 day close. Otherwise, consider requesting a cash offer from We Are Home Buyers. You’ll receive a cash offer in as few as 48 hours, with the ability to close in as little as 10 days.
