How to sell your home fast in 2026: seven expert tips to boost your property price (aff)

House prices may be stabilising in 2026, but selling your home is becoming more competitive than ever. With more properties on the market and buyers taking a more cautious approach, standing out is now essential if you want to secure a strong offer.

Recent interest rate cuts have improved mortgage affordability, helping demand recover from its recent lows. But buyers still have more choice – and that means overpriced or poorly presented homes are being overlooked.

For sellers, that creates both a challenge and an opportunity. Get it right, and you can still achieve a fast sale and a strong price. Get it wrong, and your property could sit on the market for months.

According to property expert Tom Evans from Purplebricks, success in 2026 comes down to being strategic from day one.

So if you’re considering putting your home on the market, now could be a sensible time to take the plunge - but there are some essential steps to help you sell your home faster.

Being strategic with how and when you present your property for sale, can significantly increase your chances of securing the best offer.

Tom Evans, Sales Director at Purplebricks Estate Agency said: “Anyone putting their property on the market in 2026, is entering a landscape characterised by moderate growth, stabilising mortgage rates and selective buyers.

“At Purplebricks, we recommend stepping up from what we see as the traditional passive approach to selling, to a more strategic, carefully planned one.”

Here are Tom’s seven proven, expert-backed strategies to outshine the competition in 2026 and maximise on your property’s sale value.

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1. Set the right asking price from day one

Tom said: “Overpricing is one of the biggest reasons sellers struggle to sell their home quickly in today’s UK property market.

“In 2026, more properties are being listed for sale while buyer demand is only gradually recovering, meaning the number of homes available far outnumbers current buyers.

“In short this means buyers will have more choice, and are more likely to overlook overpriced properties.

“We would recommend setting a realistic price based on sold prices in your immediate area within the last 3 months, not just basing it on current asking prices.

“Consider "just-below" pricing (e.g £299,950 instead of £300,000) to maximise standout in online search filters.”

2. Make your home ‘move-in ready’ for buyers

Tom said: “Buyers are increasingly reluctant to take on major renovations.

“Move-in ready homes are proving popular with buyers, so put your energy into making your property look the best version of itself, without spending time and money doing anything structural.

“Declutter and depersonalise your space. Painting it in neutral tones can be effective.

“We’d recommend focusing on key rooms such as your living room and kitchen. Focussing on these rooms has been shown to increase perceived value by five to 10 per cent.”

3. Boost your property’s online listing and visibility

Tom said: “Some 90 percent of buyers start the search for their property online, so your digital presence is your first, and often only impression.

“At Purplebricks we offer sellers the option to provide a 3D virtual tour on their listing.

“Our tours give buyers the opportunity to virtually interact with a model of your property online. The detailed 360° views mean that buyers can walk through the property, not only to get a sense of your home, but to imagine themselves in it - exactly what you want to make a sale.

“We would strongly encourage sellers to provide this option on the sale particulars. 3D tours can increase enquiries into your home by as much as 95% [2].

“We also recommend hiring a professional photographer to capture bright, wide-angle shots that showcase your property at its best.”

“Don’t forget social media is also a great tool to reach relocation buyers. Paid or organic posts can help you reach people who might be moving to your area.”

4. Highlight energy efficiency and EPC rating

Tom said: “With utility costs creating ongoing financial pressure on households, buyers are heavily scrutinising EPC ratings, insulation, and heating systems to ensure they are buying a property that is optimally energy efficient.

“When putting your property on the market, it is really worth highlighting any energy-efficient upgrades it might have.

“Or conversely, if the EPC is low (D or below), it might be worth making small investments in insulation, that can make all the difference to buyer confidence when considering purchasing the property.”

5. Improve kerb appeal to attract buyers instantly

Tom said: “Buyers often make up their minds within the first few minutes of arriving at a property.

“Easy fixes such as cleaning, fixing and brightening your exterior can make all the difference.

“Whether it's pressure washing your driveway, trimming your hedge, or painting the front door, even a small amount of effort can dramatically enhance your property’s first impression.

“Are your house numbers old and could they be replaced? Could you install brighter, more modern looking exterior lighting?

“It has been said that enhancing a property’s curb appeal and/or exterior presentation can increase perceived value of the property by 5%.” [4]

6. List your home on Rightmove, Zoopla and more

Tom said: “Online property portals like Rightmove, Zoopla, and PrimeLocation reach a large pool of potential buyers.

“You’d be advised to ensure your property is listed on all of these to reach full buyer exposure.

“Selling through Purplebricks, means your property will automatically be listed via all these platforms, alongside their own portal, ensuring maximum visibility.”

7. Get legally prepared to avoid delays

Tom said: “Slow legal processes are the biggest threat to a fast sale.

“You’re best off instructing a solicitor/conveyancer immediately after deciding to sell and preparing all required documentation (property information forms, EPC) before listing.

“And finally, be flexible with viewings, particularly in the first two weeks. A prepared seller who can offer a fast, chain-free, or first-time buyer-friendly exchange is highly valued by buyers in a competitive market.”