9 Key Factors That Will Get Your Condo Sold Fast
Selling a condo quickly in a competitive market requires more than just listing it on the MLS and waiting for offers. In today’s real estate landscape, getting a fast sale means paying attention to several critical factors that can make or break a deal. Whether you’re preparing to list your condo or wondering how to attract more buyers, these 9 key strategies will help you stand out, generate interest, and get your condo sold fast. From pricing to presentation, these actionable tips will ensure your property catches the right buyers’ attention and leads to a successful sale.
1. Price It Right from the Start
Get it right from the start or watch it sit.
Set a competitive and strategic price based on recent comparable sales and current market conditions. The market is in constant flux and being fixated on what your neighbor’s condo sold for 8 months ago is not the right play. Pricing too high can lead to prolonged market time, while pricing competitively attracts serious buyers.
The mistaken approach some sellers take Is to price It high Ie ‘they can Is lower the price’. The problem with that approach is that you will get the most traffic during the first few weeks it is on the market. The average buyer will take several months before finding the right place. So, when you first put the property on the market, you have 3 months’ worth of buyers being exposed to the property for the first time. If it is overpriced to start, many buyers will pass on It. By the time you get It to the right price, only new buyers coming into the market will see it.
2. Pro Photos & 3-D Virtual Tours
The photos online are typically what a buyer sees first. You only have one chance to make a first impression.
High-quality photos and 3D virtual tours are essential to showcase the condo’s best features online. A professional photographer has the right lenses for wide angle shots which are necessary to capture the entire space. Fusion photography, where every shot is taken on a tripod and given 3 exposures. The 3 shots are then fused into one, perfectly exposed photo – views to the outside are perfectly exposed and there are no dark interiors.
Pro tip – Put the best 3-5 photos first in order. The reason being is that many real estate sites will show the first few photos in the summary view. To see all the details, you need to click further. Grab the buyer’s attention in the beginning.
3-D virtual tours make it easier for out-of-town buyers to get a feel for the space without a physical visit. With a 3-D tour, the buyer can take a ‘tour’ simply using their computer and mouse. They can move through the unit, look right, left, up, down and turn around.
Having the photos in the right order makes it easier for the buyer to tour the property in a natural flow. One overlooked opportunity many sellers and their agent fail to take advantage of is adding descriptions to all the photos. This is a great way to point out certain features.
3. Location. Location. Location.
The real estate mantra is still relevant.
Location, location, location! You may have heard that real estate mantra before and it is still relevant. Of course, that advice is geared towards buyers. Obviously, if you are selling, you already have your location and can’t change it. What you can do though is highlight the relevant attractions to the area. Remember, not everyone is familiar with your exact location, especially, out of town buyers. You are not just selling your condo but selling the location too. Shopping (Whole Foods, Starbucks, Trader Joe’s, etc), transportation (especially metro stations), restaurants, sports & entertainment, are all worth highlighting.
The location within the building can make a difference too. Are you on a top floor? Are you on a more desirable side of your building? Mention that.
4 . Keep it light & bright.
Almost all properties could benefit from more light.
One often overlooked but crucial factor in selling a condo quickly is lighting. Both natural and artificial lighting can significantly impact how potential buyers perceive the space. Start by maximizing the natural light in your condo—open all blinds and curtains during showings to let sunlight flood the rooms. Natural light not only makes the space feel more inviting but also creates an illusion of a larger, more open layout, which is especially important in smaller condos.
Artificial lighting is equally important. Ensure that all bulbs are working, and consider upgrading to warm, energy-efficient lighting if needed. Layering your lighting—using a mix of overhead, task, and accent lights—can create a cozy atmosphere and highlight key features of the condo, such as kitchen counters, bathrooms, or living areas. Good lighting transforms dull spaces into bright, welcoming areas that can help leave a positive impression on buyers and lead to quicker offers.
Pro tip: Use the maximum wattage light bulbs a fixture can handle. Make sure all the lightbulbs match and use bulbs with a warm color temperature. For more on color temperature, read this post.
5. Clean, Declutter & Stage
Less is usually more when it comes to clutter.
Cleaning and decluttering are two of the simplest yet most effective ways to help a condo sell fast. A clean, clutter-free space allows potential buyers to envision themselves living in the home, rather than being distracted by personal items or disorganization. Start by deep cleaning all surfaces, including floors, countertops, and windows. Pay special attention to kitchens and bathrooms, as buyers often focus on these areas when evaluating a property. Freshly cleaned spaces can give the impression of a well-maintained condo, which is appealing to buyers.
Decluttering goes hand in hand with cleaning. Remove excess furniture, personal belongings, and unnecessary decor to create a sense of spaciousness. Closets, cabinets, and storage areas should also be organized to showcase the available storage space. A minimalist approach helps buyers focus on the condo’s best features, making it feel larger, more open, and move-in ready. This simple step can have a big impact on how quickly your condo sells.
Professionally stage the condo to highlight its strengths and create an emotional connection with buyers. Proper staging can make rooms appear larger and help buyers envision living in the space.
6 . Make it Easy to Show
If buyers can't see it person, don't expect an offer.
Accommodate potential buyers’ schedules by offering flexible showing times, including evenings and weekends.
Making your condo easy to show is a critical factor in securing a fast sale. When showings are restricted to limited hours or require complicated scheduling, it reduces the number of potential buyers who can view the property. The more difficult it is to see the condo, the fewer showings you’ll have, which directly impacts how quickly offers come in. Flexibility is key—allow for a range of showing times, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate the busy schedules of buyers and agents.
Additionally, consider offering open access through a lockbox to ensure that last-minute or short-notice showings can be accommodated. The easier it is for buyers to visit your condo, the more likely it is to generate interest and offers. Making your property as accessible as possible will increase foot traffic, which often leads to quicker, competitive offers, helping your condo sell fast.
7. Sell without a tenant
Leases convey with the property.
Selling a condo without a tenant in place can significantly increase your chances of securing a fast sale. When a tenant is occupying the property, it limits the flexibility for showings and often reduces the buyer pool. More importantly, if the tenant has a long-term lease, that lease conveys with the sale, meaning the new owner must honor it. This effectively restricts your potential buyers to investors, rather than owner-occupiers who make up a large portion of the condo market. Investors may not be as willing to pay top dollar, knowing that the property comes with the complexities of tenant management.
The exception to selling a condo with a tenant in place is when you're marketing the property as an investment and the tenant is paying above-market rent on a long-term lease. In this scenario, the existing lease can actually be an attractive selling point for investors. A reliable tenant paying premium rent guarantees immediate cash flow, reducing the risk and hassle for the new owner. Investors are often looking for turnkey opportunities where they can start earning income from day one without having to find new tenants. Highlighting the strong rental income and long-term stability provided by the tenant can position your condo as a highly desirable investment, potentially even increasing its value for the right buyer.
8. Know where you're going
A potential deal killer is when the seller is not sure when they can leave.
Uncertainty about where the seller is moving and when they can vacate the condo can be a significant deal killer in real estate transactions. Buyers are often working on tight timelines, especially if they need to coordinate their own move or have a mortgage approval with a closing date. If the seller can’t provide a clear answer on when they will be ready to move, it introduces uncertainty into the deal, which may lead buyers to walk away in favor of a more straightforward transaction.
Some lenders offer a "Buy Now, Sell Later" loan option, which can be a game-changer for homeowners looking to sell their current property while purchasing a new one. This type of loan allows sellers to buy their next home before selling their existing one, eliminating the stress of needing to time both transactions perfectly. It provides flexibility by enabling sellers to secure their new property without worrying about where they’ll move if their current condo sells quickly. With this option, homeowners can avoid rushed decisions and give themselves ample time to sell at the best price while transitioning smoothly to their next home. It’s an attractive solution for those who need to buy in a competitive market or want to avoid the disruption of temporary housing.
9. Retargeting your audience
Repeated exposure increases the chances of an offer.
Repeated exposure to property marketing through retargeting can be a highly effective strategy for selling a condo. Retargeting involves showing ads for your property to people who have already shown interest by visiting the listing page, viewing an online virtual tour, or engaging with your marketing content. This approach keeps your condo top of mind for potential buyers who may be considering multiple properties. By consistently seeing the property in their social media feeds, search engines, or other online platforms, buyers are more likely to come back for a second look and schedule a showing.
Retargeting helps build familiarity and trust, as repeated exposure can create a sense of urgency or remind buyers of the property’s unique features. It also allows you to reinforce key selling points, such as location, amenities, or price adjustments, ensuring your condo stands out in a crowded market. This tactic is particularly useful in digital marketing, where potential buyers are bombarded with choices, and a well-placed retargeting ad can be the nudge they need to take the next step and make an offer.
