This one trick is the secret to selling your house fast

New research from Zoopla reveals a crucial step that will increase your chances of securing a speedy sale

If you’re looking to shift your house fast, it can be tempting to put your listing live as quickly as possible, even if it’s incomplete.

However, recent data from property search engine Zoopla suggests this strategy can actually harm your chances of attracting a buyer. Rather, waiting to go live with a complete listing and the best images possible seems to be the key to scoring a sale.

READ MORE: This one garden feature will add thousands to your property value

Zoopla analysed the lifetime of property listings on their website between January and March and found that 34% of sales leads in the first week were generated on day one. On day two, figures dwindled to 16.9% and continued to fall to 7.3% by day seven.

Every minute counts

Even more compelling, the research found that listings gained the highest amount of interest resulting in an enquiry in the first 59 minutes of a property going live. 

Preparation is paramount for a quick sale. Image: Alicia G. Monedero/Shutterstock

Charlie Bryant, Managing Director at Zoopla, said: “Our analysis proves that listings generate a significantly higher number of leads immediately after launching to market so there is very little time to ‘test’ a marketing approach, try out a higher price or wait for better images.

“From the very first second, agents must ensure that they are marketing the best information to the widest possible audience in order to generate quality leads. In the current market, sellers and landlords cannot afford to miss the boat.”

Put your best foot forward

With so much depending on the first few hours, it seems the secret to a swift sale is ensuring your property listing is shining before it goes live.

Whether arranged independently or through an estate agent, homeowners should make sure a range of professional photographs are taken well ahead of time, rather than uploading one or two initial shots and adding the rest at a later date. First impressions are key and pictures have the power to make or break a lead.

Ensure your listing description is thorough, covering details of the interior layout, outdoor space, neighbourhood, transport links, and surrounding amenities. For extra brownie points, be sure to upload the floorplans too.

Ultimately, patience pays off in the long run, and if you want your home to be snapped up, it's worth putting in the time to make your listing the most attractive it can be.

READ MORE: 10 features that make your house more attractive to homebuyers

Featured image: Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock