SELLING YOUR HOME
Welcome to my complete 2024 Westport, CT home seller’s guide!
Wondering about all the steps involved in how to sell your home? Selling your home can be stressful but with the right guidance, preparation, and partners, a top realtor can make it easier. Spending some time upfront before you list your home for sale will make the process so much simpler with fewer surprises. I’ve developed a guide for all Westport, CT homeowners looking to put their homes on the market in 2024!
PRELISTING PHASE II
- Home Inspection: seller obtains an inspection of the house
- Fix all items from inspection
- Schedule a handyman for the day
- Check open permits, close any permits
- Organize all paperwork, oil tank removal paperwork, property survey, septic + well + AC (all mechanical) services
PRELISTING PHASE II
- Make Your Home Welcoming
- Give each room in the house a clear purpose
- Open blinds/curtains to illuminate your home (this might just be the little trick to get your home to sell faster!)
- Show that your home has been loved
- Repair marks on walls/doors
- Clean vents/baseboards
- Increase curb appeal of your property
- Sweep walkways, decks, patios
- Liven-up the entry
LISTING JOURNEY PHASE I
Home seller & listing agent meet to discuss home improvements & staging (you want your home looking like one of the best homes in Westport, CT!)
Review comparable Westport, CT homes to determine price and timeline
Discuss marketing plan
Introduce listing agreement
Engage possible resources
LISTING JOURNEY PHASE II
Prepare your home for sale
Photos of your home are taken
Home listed for sale and marketing begins
Review ShowingTime service
Showings of your beautiful Westport, CT home begin
An offer is received through a purchase agreement
LISTING JOURNEY PHASE III
Buyer makes an offer on your home
Buyer and seller negotiate offer
Offer accepted (!)
Buyer delivers earnest money to broker
House inspected, respond to findings
If a lender is involved, home is appraised to ensure value
Get moving quotes
LISTING JOURNEY PHASE IV
Review closing disclosure
Begin packing up your home
Ensure utilities transfer
Buyers final walk through
Close – congratulations, you’ve sold your home!
ADDENDA
Estimated Costs
Costs on sale of a property:
State Conveyance Tax
0.75% of sale price below $800,000
1.25% of sale price above $800,000
Local Conveyance Ta
0.25% of sale price
Attorney’s Fee
$1,500 +/-
Recording Fee – Release
$10 (1 page) – $15 (2 page)
Real Estate Taxes
Unpaid Balance
Mortgage Payoff
Unpaid Balance
State Compliance Tax
$195
Costs on various inspections:
General Building Inspection
$800 +/- based on square footage
Water Test
$35 +/-
Lead Test
$300+/-
Radon
$125 +/-
Radon Mitigation System
$1,300
Septic Dye Test
Included in most inspections
Septic Cleaning & Inspection
$250-350
Asbestos
$250-350
Termite (check)
$250
Closing Checklist
Prior to closing:
Gas or oil (request measurement of remainder of tank – this is your personal property, buyer will compensate you at closing)
Sanitation Service (final pickup)
Notify utility companies: have meters read & service canceled as of possession day
Set up basic services for your new home:
Electric
Water/sewage
Telephone
Internet
Cable
Homeowners Insurance
Flood Insurance
Bring to closing:
All keys to property
Warranties & instruction booklets for items remaining on property (or leave in home for incoming homeowner)
Oil tank reading (if applicable) for fuel adjustment at closing (*attorney may assemble this)
Change of address
Financial:
Accountant
Banks
Broker
Creditors
Credit Cards
Insurance (Auto/Life/Homeowners)
IRS
Other Businesses:
USPS
Lawyer
Doctor/Dentist
DMW
Personal:
Relatives/Friends
Newspapers
Magazine
Catalogs
Clubs
Organizations
Moving Checklist
1 Month before move:
Set up a checking account in your new city
Review laws/requirements of new city regarding home-based businesses, professional exams, business licenses, special laws that might apply to your situation
Take inventory of belongings before they’re packed, in the event you file an insurance claim later
Arrange pet transport
Use up food so there’s less to pack/spoil
Address Change form for USPS, IRS
Reserve moving company / rental truck
Prepare arrangements (if applicable) with airlines, car rental, hotels
Transfer church, club, & civic organization memberships
Ask for medical/dental records, transfer prescriptions & ask medical providers for referrals
Day of move:
Go over all nooks and crannies to make sure they’re empty
Carry important documents, currency, jewelry, travelers checks for fast funds — all in-hand
1-2 Weeks before move:
Close old financial accounts, and have fund moved to new accounts. Check for outstanding checks or automatic payments that are yet process
Make copies of important documents & carry them to new property in-hand
Confirm that your homeowners/renters insurance will cover you during move
Defrost fridge/freezer, place deodorizer inside
Share travel route w/ close friend / relative
Switch utilities to new address (electric, trash, water, newspaper/magazine, telephone/cable/internet)
Check any reservations for during your move
Reserve elevator (if moving from apartment)
Have appliances serviced
Clean & wrap rugs & clothing
After arrival:
Update driver’s license, car registration, tags
Obtain new insurance policies
Update Will (& other legal papers)
Locate hospitals, police stations, vet, fire stations
Packing Tips
Have packing supplies ready: pen/Sharpie, tissues, bubble wrap, newspaper, towels, blankets, tape, boxes, tape measure, scissors
Use strong boxes and containers that can be secured tightly for fragile items
If removing screws/cables, tape them to the objects they came from
Label each box and indicate:
destination room
fragility
if it should be loaded last so it will be unloaded first
Use tight-sealing container for medications
Check with local U.S.D.A. for regulations regarding moving plants from one state to another
Know & abide by your weight limit for how much you can carry in a box
