Securing a house sale can be a tricky business. In the UK it currently takes an average of five to six months to find a buyer and complete a property sale, and around one in three house sales fall through before completion.

If you’re looking for a quick house move, there are a few things you can do to help you on your way.

Get your property properly prepped: You would probably be surprised how many people don’t get their property looking its best before putting it on the market. A fresh lick of paint, a thorough spring clean and some decluttering can have a big impact on how a potential buyer feels about your property.

Choose the right agent: Choosing the right agent can make or break a property sale. Although it can be tempting to base your decision solely on cost, it is important to select an estate agent that has significant experience selling similar homes in the local property market.

Price it right: Price your property too high and you risk not attracting any potential buyers, price it too low and you leave yourself no room to negotiate. You can get a good idea of the true value of your property by looking at recent sold prices of similar properties nearby. Websites such as Rightmove and Zoopla have this information easily available. You can then ask three local estate agents for a detailed valuation.

Be ready to negotiate: Remember, the best buyer is not necessarily the one that makes the highest offer. With around thirty per cent of property sales falling through before completion, if you are looking for a quick house sale, how proceedable your potential buyer is can be a more important factor than how much they are able to pay for the property.

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