How To Sell Your House Fast [2025 Guide]

Want to know how to sell your property fast?

First off, the best time to sell your home is within the first few weeks of putting it on the market. After this time, potential buyers may consider your house hard to sell and equate that to a fault with the property.

For this reason, buyers often disregard old listings completely, which means you won’t be able reach all the people that would normally be interested in your property. Your best bet for getting the highest price for your property is to start your marketing strong and sell fast.

Below, you will find our top tips to selling property fast. Here’s an overview video to get you started:

Price Your Property for a Quick Sale

Before you set a price, check where your city (and even your suburb) is trading right now. A home that’s spot-on for today’s market often sells inside three weeks, while an overpriced listing can languish for months. Here’s the fresh mid-2025 snapshot:

Capital City (State)	Median Dwelling Value	Median Days on Market	What that tells you about pricing
Sydney (NSW)	$1,210,000	31 days	Competition is solid but not frantic. Over-price by more than ~3 % and buyers will wait you out; a tight guide (e.g. $1,650.000–$1,690,000) keeps you on page 1 and should land offers inside three weeks.
Melbourne (VIC)	$796,000	34 days	Similar dynamics to Sydney, but slightly slower buyer response. Under-quoting rules mean a transparent range of ±2 % is both legal and practical.
Brisbane (QLD)	$926,000	15 days	Hot market. Properties go under contract within a fortnight, so buyers scan new listings hourly. A realistic band sparks a bidding war; over-pricing shows up immediately in reduced clicks.
Perth (WA)	$820,000	13 days	Fastest market in the country. If you haven’t had strong enquiry in the first five days, you know the guide is wrong, drop quickly or switch to auction.
Adelaide (SA)	$837,000	31 days	Price-sensitive but still quick. Stay within the comparable sales corridor and emphasise turnkey condition.
Hobart (TAS)	$677,000	40 days	More cautious buyers. List a touch below the last three comparable sales to create urgency or be prepared for a six-week wait.
Canberra (ACT)	$855,000	57 days	Slow, analytical market. Buyers expect long negotiations, build a 2-week review clause into your agency agreement so you can adjust early.
Darwin (NT)	$537,000	54 days	The smallest buyer pool. A sharp initial guide plus incentives (e.g. settlement flexibility) can halve your DOM.

*Median “days on market” measures the middle point between list date and contract date for sold dwellings. Data source: NAB, Cotality

What this means for pricing

The right asking price is not a single magic number plucked from thin air, it’s a moving target shaped by how quickly homes are selling in your city or suburb right now, plus what buyers can see when they sort listings on Australia’s big portals. 

1. Fast lanes vs. slow lanes

• Perth & Brisbane (DOM ≤ 15 days): The market punishes greed instantly. Aim for the upper edge of recent comparables, but show buyers a range (e.g. “$850,000–$880,000”) so they can see a path to ‘yes’. If nothing happens in a week, cut quickly or pivot to auction.
• Hobart, Canberra, Darwin (DOM ≥ 40 days): Here, time is already priced in. A sharper initial guide like 1–2 % below the most comparable sale can pull your sale forward by weeks, often netting the same (or better) final figure.

2. Use “micro-comparables”

Pull settled transactions from the last six weeks within 1–2 km. Adjust for:

• Land size (+– $10 k per extra 50 m² in many suburban blocks)
• Renovation level (full new kitchen/bathroom = +5–7 %)
• School-zone premiums (check your local catchment map; 4–10 % uplift is common)

Anything older than six months is history in a market moving 2–3 % a quarter.

3. Price bands beat pin-point numbers

Listings that sit inside 2 % of fair value receive about 40% more first-week portal views than those outside the band (CoreLogic vendor-discount data). A range like “$950,000–$990,000”:

• Triggers two common search filters ($900,000–$1,000,000 and $950,000–$1,000,000 m)
• Signals flexibility without implying desperation
• Gives the agent cover to pitch multiple buyer types (upsizers & investors)

4. Work the search-filter psychology

Realestate.com.au and Domain cluster results at $25,000 or $50,000 breaks. Listing at $799,000 captures buyers filtering “to $800,000”; listing at $805,000 misses that entire pool. In the $1 m+ bracket, use the $50,000 steps (e.g. $1.35m, $1.4m).

5. Factor in vendor-discount norms

Cotality shows a national median discount of -3.4% (sellers vs. original asking price). Price 3% above your walk-away figure and you’re statistically likely to land near target.

6. Have the paperwork locked in

In NSW and the ACT you can’t legally advertise without a completed contract of sale; most other states strongly recommend it. Get the title search, zoning and drainage diagrams done early so you can accept an offer the moment it appears.

If you don’t yet have a list of local real estate agents, compare those in your area now with our simple comparison tool.

Determine the Best Time to Sell Property Fast

Knowing when to hit the market can shave weeks off your campaign and add thousands to the sale price. 2025 remains a seller-friendly year overall, but the “sweet spot” still varies by city, season and even suburb. Below is a quick, data-driven guide to help you decide when to sell your property if speed and best pricing is the priority:

National Sweet Spots

Month	Avg. uplift vs yearly mean	What drives it
November	＋0.78 %	Spring FOMO, auctions & pre-Christmas deadlines
March	＋0.60 %	Post-holiday buyers + tight stock
February	＋0.52 %	Early movers seek settlement before Easter
October	＋0.57 %	Listings soar but buyer demand keeps pace

*PropTrack Hedonic Price Index 2014-2024 average deviations

Capital-city seasonality cheat sheet

City/ State	2025 best month	Seasonal price lift	Why that window wins
Sydney, NSW	March	＋0.85 %	High auction clearance as families aim to settle before winter term.
Melbourne, VIC	October	＋1.11 %	Buyers rush to secure before Cup-week lull; gardens in full bloom.
Brisbane, QLD	October	＋0.56 %	Comfortable weather + interstate investors; Oct-Nov auctions often hit 70 %+ clearance.
Perth, WA	November	＋1.30 %	Spring bonuses + chronic listing shortage turbocharge demand.
Adelaide, SA	July	＋1.37 %	Stock remains tight, so winter chill is outweighed by buyer competition.
Hobart, TAS	November	＋2.34 %	Tourist traffic and tree-change demand peak late-spring.
Darwin, NT	April	＋3.43 %	Start of the Dry Season lifts inspections and prices.
Canberra, ACT	November	＋1.49 %	Government hiring rounds plus school-year planning drive urgency.

Of course, the numbers vary even between suburbs, so it’s best to ask an experienced agent what month or season to sell in, just use our easy comparison tool.

Selling in Spring

Spring is still considered prime time for selling property. This is based on the weather becoming pleasant and people being out and about. It is true that spring is a popular month to sell, but this doesn’t always equate to achieving a quick sale.

Spring typically has many more properties listed for sale simply because it’s considered a good season to sell. This means an overabundance of properties for potential buyers to view and, therefore, more competition.

If your home is well-presented and well-priced, it may still sell quickly because there are also more potential buyers in the market for a new home.

Selling in Summer

The Australian summer may not be the best time of year to sell, especially for sellers looking to sell their home fast. Summer is typically associated with extreme heat and the holiday season in Australia.

The lower competition means that values typically climb a little bit, but properties may be on the market for a little longer as buyers are a little harder to find. Consider the balance between maximising the value of your home and getting a property sold as soon as possible before committing.

Selling in Autumn

Autumn can be a great choice for homeowners wanting to sell quickly. As spring is the main focus for prime selling time, autumn is often overlooked. People are usually back at work and ready to start looking for a new home. They’ve also had plenty of time to dream about new year plans over the holidays, which can often include the purchase of a new home.

An added bonus in autumn is that the foliage of surrounding trees looks beautiful and can make your home look extra special. Just be sure to keep on top of fallen leaves. The sun hangs lower in the sky in autumn too, which can be helpful in brightening up some properties with natural light.

Selling in Winter

Winter is another season to avoid if you want a quick sale. It’s often cold and dreary and people tend to stay inside more than in the warmer months. As with summer, there will be potential buyers out there but usually not as many as in autumn and spring.

Like summer, property values increase (especially in property hubs Sydney and Melbourne) but the property may be listed for a little longer than average.

You may get lucky and find the perfect buyer quickly, but chances are your property will be on the market for a little while.

Top Tips to Help Sell Quickly

To sell a house fast, it needs to be priced correctly, presented well and marketed exceptionally. If you keep these three things in mind, you are setting yourself up to do well from the start.

The following top tips should help you achieve a quick sale, especially when timed well for the market and season. If everything goes just right, you may find that these simple, cost-effective tips get you a sale in as quickly as seven days.

1. Housekeeping

The first step to preparing any house for the open market is getting it looking presentable. This involves de-cluttering, cleaning and home improvement work.

2. De-cluttering

Potential buyers want to see everything nook and cranny in a house before they decide if it’s right for them. By de-cluttering your home, you will strip it back to its essentials and won’t distract potential buyers with unnecessary clutter.

Rather than hiding everything in cupboards and wardrobes, consider renting a storage unit. Potential buyers won’t look positively on storage space that is full to the brim with personal items. They’ll likely feel that storage space is lacking and hard to keep organised.

Aim to keep only what is necessary during the sales period so buyers can see the true potential of your home

Likewise, remove any family photos or other personal items. The aim is to help potential buyers imagine the home as their own and personal items only distract from this goal.

3. Cleaning

Once you have a clutter-free house, take the opportunity to do a thorough clean. To sell quickly, your house needs to shine and built-up dirt and grime will detract from this. Scrub walls, baseboards, windows and fittings and steam clean carpets to brighten them up as much as possible. If all else fails, a quick coat of paint can work wonders.

4. Home Improvements

You may not have much time for repairs and maintenance work if you want to sell your house quickly. However, the more you can do, the better your house will look on open day and the more likely you are to get the right price for your house fast.

Try to tick off as many odd jobs as you can, including:

• repairing anything broken, like cupboard doors, shutters and blinds
• repainting any paintwork that is dull or aging
• replacing all burnt out or dim light bulbs with bright, high-watt bulbs
• replacing old, worn out cupboard doors with fresh, modern ones
• revitalising timber flooring
• replacing outdated light fittings with stylish new ones
• fixing any problematic electrical wiring

5. Stage Your House

Once your home is sparkling and functioning well, it’s time to consider staging. A fresh pair of eyes is beneficial for this because you might not be able to see where improvements can be made. The key is to see the property from the eyes of potential buyers on open day. How do you want them to see or feel about the property as they walk through?

Co-Principal of Sydney-based Staging Professionals, Janne Petrie quotes a 500% return on investment when staging a home in Australia. That means for an investment of $2000 in home staging, you could receive a $10,000 increase in the value of your property.

You can hire a professional stylist to help with staging, but if that’s outside your budget, there are other ways to ensure your home is well-presented when it counts. Ask a friend to walk through and give you tips on what could be improved. Your real estate agent is also a great staging resource and will offer tips based on industry experience.

Find your top local real estate agent now, using our free comparison tool.

6. Professional Photography

Listings generate initial interest from potential buyers, so you want yours to stand out. Professional photography can make all the difference and need not cost a lot.

• A friend with a keen eye and some photography experience might do you a favour and take some professional snaps of your property.
• You could contact a local TAFE or university for students wanting some extra experience.
• Before choosing a professional photographer, shop around for the best price and make sure you see property-related samples of their work.

A survey of agents in Australia found that 99% of real estate agents agreed that quality photographs contributed to increased interest in listings.

If photography will be done through your real estate agent, be sure to check that they use a professional who has relevant experience.

7. Improve Your Property’s Curb Appeal

Curb appeal should be your number one priority when it comes to sprucing up your home. Potential buyers will see your home’s exterior before all else in listings and on open day. An exterior that isn’t well presented can mean the difference between potential buyers choosing to visit your property or deciding to give it a miss.

If you are short on time, focusing on the exterior before the interior is your best chance of getting potential buyers there on open day. Of course, do as much as you can on the interior as well but getting your exterior right is essential.

Here are some things you can do to increase curb appeal and sell your home fast:

1. Spruce up your gardens.
   After mowing, removing weeds and cutting back foliage, consider how you can quickly improve the appeal of your garden. Refresh mulch, repaint garden edging or add some brightly-coloured plants. Anything you can do to add wow factor to your landscaping is worth considering.
2. Wash your home’s exterior
   A pressure washer is a great option for removing built-up dirt and grime from the outside of your house and the driveway. It’s a fast way to help your exterior shine on open day.
3. Repaint dull or cracking paintwork
   Repainting exterior paintwork around windows or on shutters can instantly brighten up your home and make it inspection worthy. Consider repainting the entire exterior of your home if it will dramatically improve first impressions of potential buyers.
4. Attend to fencing
   In the eyes of potential buyers, a well-kept fence is a sure sign that the house will have plenty to offer. Completing any much-needed repairs and brightening up timber fences with a fresh coat of paint is a great place to invest some time and money.
5. Clean and polish
   Sweep away any cobwebs that could be making your home look uninhabited and be sure to polish anything that can be polished to make even the smallest elements shine.
6. Add some colour
   Colour can instantly brighten up your home and make it feel welcoming. Consider adding some colourful flowering plants to entry ways and porches. Some well-placed flowers either side of the driveway can invite potential buyers on open day and give a great first impression.

Work with a Great Real Estate Agent

When looking to sell fast, anything you can do to market your own property is a great idea. Sharing your property listing with social groups can sometimes lead to an unexpected sale. However, finding an experienced real estate agent to help market your property can make all the difference when trying to sell quickly.

Some key questions to ask when interviewing potential real estate agents are:

• What is the average time it takes you to sell a property?
• Do you have examples of properties that sold quickly?
• Are you aware of the pros and cons of the neighbourhood?
• What is your strategy to achieve a quick sale?
• Do you list all properties online? If so, on which sites?
• Do you use social media?
• Do you use a professional photographer?
• Are you aware of what potential buyers are looking for at an open house?

It’s essential to look at the statistics for any potential agents to ensure they offer a quality service and proven results. Just read our case study with Alan from Sydney, who was stuck with an agent that solely marketed with letterbox leaflets and how we helped him find a much better fit.

Looking To Sell?

If you’re looking to sell your property fast, finding a quality real estate agent is an important first step. Your local area will have a range of agents to choose from, each with different experience and skill sets. You can start narrowing down the list with our quick comparison tool and be on your way to a quick sale in no time.

FAQs