Is it possible to sell your house in 5 days? | How to sell your house in 5 days | Selling to an iBuyer | Selling with a real estate agent | Selling to a cash buyer company | Expert strategies for selling faster
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There are many reasons you might need to sell your home fast — such as an out-of-state job, a divorce, or a challenging financial bind.
According to the most recent Redfin data, the average home sat on the market for 22 days before receiving a winning offer. But a home sale doesn’t end with an offer. Instead, the average closing period lasted 49 days. That’s a total of 71 days — time you may not have if you’re in a desperate situation.
With that in mind, it’s important to have realistic expectations for your home sale. The good news is that in many cases, there are ways to get an offer within five days, even if the closing process takes a bit longer.
Your home is one of your most valuable assets, so it’s important to shop around before making a final decision.
Is It Possible to Sell a House in 5 Days?
It’s possible to sell your house within five days of listing it — just keep in mind that you’ll still have to go through the closing process, which typically takes 30-45 days.
A qualified real estate agent can help you understand how quickly homes are selling in your area, based on factors such as:
| Variable | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| 📈 Market trends | A competitive seller’s market can prompt buyers to move more quickly |
| 💰 Pricing | If you’re willing to accept slightly below fair market value, buyers may be eager to jump on a good deal |
| 📍 Location | Homes in desirable neighborhoods or convenient locations tend to sell faster |
| 🗓️ Time of year | Buyers are quicker to make offers and willing to pay more during the real estate high season (March through August) |
| 🌐 Global economy | Bearish global economic outlooks can discourage buyers — so if you’re in a market downturn, expect your home to sell slower |
| 🏡 Property condition | Turnkey properties sell more quickly than those requiring repairs |
| ✨ Unique features | Homes that have special, hard-to-find features (e.g., mother in law suite, multiple fireplaces, etc.) may attract more serious buyers |
An agent will analyze these variables in what’s known as a comparative market analysis (also known as a CMA or “comps”). Based on this data, an agent will recommend strategies for selling on your timeline and help you set realistic expectations for how much you can earn.
How To Sell Your House In 5 Days
⚖️ Best Balance of Speed and Value: Sell to an iBuyer
iBuyers like Opendoor and Offerpad are large, venture-backed companies that provide instant, cash offers on homes. If your house is located in a market where iBuyer companies operate, you could get an offer in as little as 24–48 hours.
Because you’ll be selling to a company rather than an individual buyer, your closing process will be expedited, too. iBuyers can typically close in two weeks or less. You’ll also be able to skip showings and preparations, which saves time and money.
The downside to iBuyers is that they don’t buy homes everywhere, and they tend to prefer market-ready homes that require minimal repairs. You’re more likely to qualify if your home is:
- Located in an eligible area
- Valued at $100,000–$600,000
- Located on 1.5 acres or less
- Post-1930 construction
- Owner-occupied
As of 2022, iBuyers offer close to market value — and since there’s no obligation, we recommend submitting your information online so you can have an offer to consider. With a flexible closing schedule and perks like free local moving services, Offerpad is one of the nation’s leading iBuyers. Get started today by entering your zip code!
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💰Best Price: Hire An Agent Who’s Experienced In Quick Sales
A great real estate agent is your best ally for finding buyers fast. They’ll know how to price and market your home based on current market trends — after all, what works now might not work in a month.
Even if you price your home slightly below fair market value, listing on the open market always leaves open the possibility of multiple offers. If more than one buyer ends up competing for your home, you could end up selling for more than you expected.
They’ll also protect your best interests by negotiating on your behalf. In 2021, 87% of home buyers employed an agent, so you gain a competitive advantage by working with a listing agent. Your agent will also help you avoid stress and potential legal issues by hosting showings, negotiating contingencies, and providing legal disclosures and contracts.
⏱ Widely Available Option: Sell Your House As-Is For Cash
You’ve probably seen “get cash for your house” signs on street corners from time to time. Believe it or not, those signs are real. For example, “We Buy Ugly Houses” is a franchise with locations around the country that pay cash to buy houses.
The benefits of selling your home as-is for cash include not having to make extensive repairs, host open houses, get the home appraised, or face financing delays or contingencies. Cash buyers make offers within days — and usually close within a month.
However, you should also consider the downsides. Anyone who offers cash for your home is an investor looking to repair and rent or flip the house for profit. They can buy homes quickly and make it easy for you, but expect to receive significantlyless than market value for your home. Most investors follow the “70 percent rule,” which dictates that you shouldn’t pay more than a home’s after-repair value — minus repairs.
Some buyers would rather receive less money than deal with the trouble of selling their home. But if you’re willing to wait and receive market value or higher, your best bet is to work with a real estate agent or sell to an iBuyer.
6 Strategies Realtors Use to Sell Fast
Consider Out-Of-The-Box Marketing Tactics
If you’re motivated to sell your house fast, work with your agent on some unconventional marketing techniques such as:
- Physical signs, postcards, and print ads
- Listing your house on Craigslist
- Sharing on your Facebook profile and the Facebook Marketplace
Pew Research data shows that the major social media platforms have an impact. In the last year, 81% of U.S. adults have used YouTube, 69% used Facebook and 40% used Instagram. Not to mention Reddit, Twitter, TikTok, Snapchat, LinkedIn, Pinterest and others.
Price Your Home Slightly Less Than Comps
Comps are comparative market analyses that review homes of similar size, age, and features within an area. Listing your home for less than your competition gives you an edge to attract buyers and help make a fast sale.
However, don’t price your home too low. Homes that are priced significantly less than local comps make buyers think there’s a serious problem that they would end up paying for in the future.
According to a survey from our friends at the Clever Data Center, more than 20% of sellers say that correctly pricing their home is the most challenging part of selling. That’s just one more reason to have an expert agent on your team — the wrong price could make or break your quick sale.
Offer Financial Incentives To Buyers
Financial incentives can attract buyers and convince them to buy your house quickly. For example, offer a “one day only” sale that includes you prepaying the property taxes for two years or paying the closing costs. Similarly, you could offer to include amenities for the home, such as appliances or a hot tub.
Clean Up Clutter and Minor Repairs
If you don’t want an as-is sale for cash, you’ll need to prepare your house to sell.
First, get out your toolbox and make all necessary repairs. Some may be minor, like patching small holes in the drywall. Others might be significant, like replacing an HVAC system. Fix the things that are necessary to pass inspection and those that may distract a buyer from the beauty of your home.
Then it’s time to get organized. Removing clutter from your home makes it feel larger and more welcoming. A cluttered space gives buyers a stressful vibe and can be an immediate turn-off. Hide the garbage cans, remove some furniture and books, take down personal items (like family photos) and open up your home. You want buyers to experience the home — not the things in it.
Next, update the color scheme. Paint the walls neutral colors, take down drapes and heavy wall hangings, and bring in plants for a comforting feel.
Finally, use your garage or shed to store things you’ve packed up during the decluttering process. Make sure to pile things neatly. Using space you already have saves you from having to spend money on a storage unit.
Stage Your Home For Potential Buyers
Staging a home means doing a bit of redecorating and rearranging the furniture. It “sets the stage” for potential buyers to envision themselves living there.
You can stage the house yourself if you have good design sense, or you can hire a professional to do it for you. Some real estate agents can offer suggestions or even help you stage your house.
Ask your agent what buyers want in the local market. There might be a design trend you can join, like expressionistic lighting or your home’s indoor/outdoor living possibilities.
Consider staging an office, since working from home is becoming a significant movement. An estimated 25% of all professional jobs in North America will be remote by 2023, and around 70% of workers will perform their work remotely at least part of the time by 2025.
Dress Up Your Home’s Curb Appeal
Give your home an advantage by making potential buyers say “Wow!” when they drive up.
Start by freshening up the exterior paint or adding some color. Colorful shutters, planted window boxes, and matching porch chairs can go a long way.
If your home is hidden behind overgrown bushes or trees, consider giving them a trim or removing them entirely. Houses with unruly landscapes appear to be neglected and can cost you in offers.
It also helps to play up outdoor living spaces with seating, yard games, and plants.
Next Steps to Sell Your House Fast
It’s possible to get an offer for your home within five days — but to avoid regrets, we recommend gathering as much information as possible from local real estate agents, iBuyers, and cash buyer companies.
Recommended Reading
FAQs
How can I sell my house as is fast?
If you want to sell your house as is, iBuyer companies are your best option. These venture-backed companies make near-market offers in as little as 24-48 hours, with no repairs or showings required. A qualified local real estate agent can also help you connect with investors or cash buyers near you. While cash buyer companies like We Buy Ugly Houses are also available nationwide, you should expect to earn far less than fair market value if you decide to sell to them.
What are the best tips for how to sell a house fast?
Real estate agents use a variety of strategies to sell fast, including competitive pricing, creative marketing strategies, staging, and financial incentives for buyers. Learn insider tips for selling your home as quickly as possible!