What Makes a House Sell Fast in Today’s Market?

Today’s housing market has been unpredictable. With tight but slowly growing inventory and persistently high prices, we’re seeing a unique split—some homes sell within days, while others linger on the market for weeks. In Los Angeles, fires in Pacific Palisades have worsened the housing crunch. Most single-family homes are getting multiple offers and selling well over asking. A recent 1,400 sq. ft. home in Sunset Park, Santa Monica, listed at $1.895M, sold for $2.83M—nearly $1M over asking. The market in Los Angeles remains firm.

According to Selma Hepp, PhD, Chief Economist and SVP at Cotality (formerly CoreLogic), the latest Cotality/CoreLogic S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index highlights the ongoing impact of Los Angeles wildfires—not just locally, but throughout the Western U.S. While national home price growth continues to slow year-over-year (up 3.9%), monthly gains remain above pre-pandemic norms, rising 0.4% versus the typical 0.2%. Notably, Los Angeles saw a price surge three times higher than average from January to February, with the sharpest increases seen in the region’s higher-end market.

Proven Tactics to Make Your Home Irresistible in Any Market

Price It Right

Was your home overlooked because the asking price was too aggressive? A real estate professional can review current market data and recent neighborhood sales to help you price it accurately. Surprisingly, setting the right price from the start often leads to stronger buyer interest—and potentially multiple competing offers—maximizing your return. Overpricing is one of the top reasons homes linger on the market. Sellers often aim high, hoping to drop the price later—but that strategy can turn off serious buyers from the start. One home was listed at $1.6M with no luck. After multiple agents, it was re-listed at $1.398M, sparking a bidding war and ultimately selling for $1.6M. Pricing low created demand and exceeded expectations.

Sellers who stay flexible and listen to market facts from their agents often do far better than those who overprice. Stubborn pricing usually leads to sitting longer and losing money in the end.

What to do: Contact us if you are in Los Angeles. Partner with a knowledgeable agent who will help you set a competitive price based on recent sales in your area. By understanding what buyers are paying right now, you’ll avoid pricing yourself out of the market. As Chen Zhao, Economic Research Lead at Redfin, puts it:

“My advice to sellers is to price your home fairly for the shifting market; you may need to price lower than your initial instinct to sell quickly and avoid giving concessions.”

Nail the First Impression

Buyers form opinions within seconds, and a neglected yard or peeling paint can instantly turn them away. A strong first impression sets the tone for the entire showing.

What to do: Start by sprucing up the curb appeal—mow the lawn, tidy landscaping, power wash the entry, and refresh mulch. Inside, declutter, depersonalize, and consider a fresh coat of neutral paint. Your agent can guide you on small changes that make a big impact.

Marketing and Photos

Poor listing photos or a basic description can make your home seem less valuable or overlooked by serious buyers.

What to do: Rely on your agent’s marketing expertise. They’ll ensure your listing includes:

• Professional, high-resolution photos that showcase your home’s best features

• Thoughtful, engaging descriptions that highlight what sets your home apart

• Exposure across top real estate sites and social media channels for maximum reach

Staging

Staging can be highly beneficial, especially for homes with challenging layouts. It helps buyers visualize how the space can be used and see themselves living there as their future home. According to a National Association of Realtors survey, about 30% of agents reported a 1–10% increase in home value due to staging. Others saw increases between 1–5% or 6–10%. Staging also reduces time on the market, with many agents noting a faster sales process as a direct result.

Virtual Staging

If you’re hesitant to stage the property due to cost, there are great alternatives. As agents, we often offer virtual staging—an effective, budget-friendly option. If the home has bulky furniture or the current setup doesn’t showcase its best features, we can digitally enhance the photos by adding stylish furniture, artwork, and plants to make the space more appealing online. The goal is to generate interest and get people through the door, and virtual staging is a smart way to highlight the property’s full potential without the expense of physical staging.

Highlight the Location

You can’t move your home—but you can frame its location in the best possible light. Desirable neighborhoods sell quicker, but even less popular areas can be compelling with the right messaging

What to do: Let your agent spotlight the perks of your community—proximity to parks, good schools, walkability, or local attractions—so buyers can picture the lifestyle that comes with the home. With the right agent who understands strategic marketing and effective wording, you can attract more qualified buyers—just like We do for our clients.

For example, If we are selling your home in Santa Monica, We Include keywords like Amazon, Microsoft, HBO, CBS, Universal Music Group, Lionsgate Entertainment, Oracle, Snapchat, Cornerstone, and Hulu signals that the area attracts a large employee base and has strong housing demand. Using these cues helps buyers recognize the potential for future return on investment while also boosting marketing reach and attracting direct buyers. Highlighting proximity to UCLA Health, St. John’s, the Metro, freeways, top-rated schools, and the twice-weekly farmers market adds further value and appeal.

Buyer Incentives

If you’re having trouble selling a challenging property—like a condo with high HOA fees, a tenancy-in-common unit, or a co-op—you can make the listing more attractive by offering incentives. Consider covering closing costs, prepaying HOA fees for six months, or offering a credit to offset buyer expenses. Most importantly, price the property correctly and ensure concessions are clearly on the table. These types of properties often have limited appeal, so finding creative ways to sweeten the deal—along with offering strong buyer’s agent compensation—can make a big difference.

Access And Flexibility For Showings

Were showings easy to schedule? The more accessible your home is, the more potential buyers will come through—and the higher the chances of receiving an offer. Limited availability can cause buyers to skip your home entirely.

Bottom Line

In today’s unpredictable market, the right strategy makes all the difference. From pricing smart to stunning visuals and flexible showings, working with a skilled agent who understands Los Angeles real estate can be the key to getting top dollar—quickly. Let us help position your home for success.