The housing market can be unpredictable, and the longer a home sits on the market, the more it loses value. But there are certain things you can control to speed up your home sale, like hiring a real estate agent and making quick repairs.

Gimmicky methods of selling a house fast may work in the short term, but they come with a cost.

1. Remove Clutter

Clutter makes rooms look smaller and can distract buyers from seeing the space’s potential. Sort through your things and put away or sell items you won’t need during the sale process. Consider renting a storage unit for out-of-season clothing, extra kitchen equipment, and personal photographs and memorabilia.

Keeping the exterior of your house clean and uncluttered is important as well. An unkempt yard or overgrown bushes can send the wrong message to prospective buyers and turn them off to your home before they even get inside. A fresh coat of paint and new door handles can go a long way toward improving curb appeal.

2. Stage Your Home

Home staging is a process that involves cleaning and rearranging furniture (or renting furniture if necessary) to make your home more appealing. It can help highlight your home’s strengths and downplay its flaws. It can also make your home look more spacious and inviting.

Decluttering is a must, but don’t forget to spruce up your furniture and remove any dated knick-knacks that may be distracting or offputting to potential buyers. Consider reupholstering your sofa or purchasing inexpensive sisal rugs to freshen up your space.

A reputable real estate agent can provide staging recommendations and oversee professional photos and marketing for your property. They can also write an effective listing and schedule showings to attract the right kind of buyers.

3. Price Your Home Right

Pricing is a delicate dance between art and science. Your real estate agent will analyze comparable homes (also known as comps) in your area to determine an accurate listing price. This includes taking into account any upgrades you’ve made and their relative value to buyers.

Don’t be tempted to price your home above market value—typically about 5% to 10% over--to attract more attention and possibly spark a bidding war. That approach can backfire, causing your house to sit on the market for months or even years.

Also, avoid using rounded prices like “$249K” or “$250K.” Buyers tend to place more trust in precise numbers than rounded ones.

4. Make the Most of Online Marketing

Selling a house can be stressful, especially when you’re on a tight timeline. Whether you’re selling your home because of a job transfer or financial constraints, it’s important to make your house as appealing as possible to potential buyers.

Investing time and money in simple repairs and updates can make your home more attractive to buyers and increase the chances of a quick sale. It’s also important to advertise your house online as much as possible.

Your real estate agent should be in charge of most of this, but you can help by sharing your listing page on social media and asking friends and family to pass it along.

5. Hire a Professional Photographer

Having high-quality real estate photography is one of the best ways to make your home stand out and attract buyers. Professional photographers have the skills and tools to capture images that show off your property’s features, like a beautiful view or energy-efficient appliances.

Invest in a storage unit to store items you won’t need while your house is on the market, like extra furniture, seasonal decorations, and the kids’ artwork. This will give buyers a clean, spacious feeling and help them envision making the space their own.

Selling your home quickly can be challenging, especially in a buyer’s market or when you have a tight deadline. However, by following these tips, you can sell your home faster and get on with your life.

6. Schedule a Showing

Getting your home ready for sale and listing it at the right time is a great start. But that doesn’t guarantee buyers will line up at your door to make an offer.

Good pricing is key, too. Your agent can help you find that sweet spot between pricing for profit and underpricing, which can spark a bidding war.

If you’re moving out of your house, consider offering furniture as part of the deal. A storage unit could be perfect for housing your things while you’re on the market. You can even set up a SimpleTexting “zap” to automatically send a showing reminder text to your clients!