Selling Your Home
Home Selling Process: Step-by-Step Guide
Selling your home in Southeastern Connecticut involves a series of strategic steps designed to maximize value and ensure a smooth transaction. From preparing and pricing your property accurately to implementing targeted marketing strategies and negotiating offers, each phase requires careful planning. Jeff provides sellers in New London County with a clear, professional guide to navigating the home selling process from listing through closing with confidence.
1. Preparing Your Home for Sale
Declutter, clean, and remove personal items
Fix minor repairs (paint touch-ups, broken fixtures, loose hardware)
Improve curb appeal: landscaping, power washing, fresh entryway
Consider professional cleaning and small updates to increase appeal
2. Finding a Realtor
Interview local agents
Ask about marketing strategy, pricing experience, and communication
Review their sales history and local market knowledge
Select an agent who understands your goals and provides a strong marketing plan
3. Determining Home Value (CMA)
Before listing your home on the market, it’s crucial to prepare it to attract potential buyers. Start with
- Your Realtor prepares a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)
- Evaluates recent sales, current competition, and market trends
- Helps determine a competitive listing price to attract buyers
- Review pricing strategies (market priced, slightly below for competition, or high with room to negotiate)
Consider minor upgrades or renovations that could potentially increase its value.
4. Preparing the Home: Repairs & Staging
Complete recommended repairs before listing
Stage the home, focusing on main living areas and the primary bedroom
Improve lighting using bright bulbs and open window coverings
Rearrange or remove furniture to make rooms feel larger
Consider professional staging for maximum impact
5. Professional Photos, Video, and Marketing Prep
Schedule professional photography
Capture key rooms, exterior, yard, and unique features
Add virtual tours, drone images, or floor plans
Write a compelling listing description highlighting selling points
Prepare marketing materials for MLS, online portals, and social media
6. Listing the Home
- Your agent uploads the home to the MLS
- Marketing campaign begins: online ads, social media, newsletters, signs
- Listing syndicates to Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, and hundreds of websites
7. Showings and Open Houses
Maintain the home’s cleanliness daily
Allow flexible showing times for buyers
Remove pets and personal valuables
Your agent conducts private showings and/or open houses
Collect buyer feedback and adjust strategy if needed
8. Receiving and Reviewing Offers
Offers may include: price, financing type, inspection terms, contingencies, closing date
Review the net proceeds, not just the offer price
Consider buyer qualifications and likelihood of closing
Your Realtor breaks down the pros and cons of each offer
9. Negotiating Terms
Negotiate sale price, closing timeline, repairs, or credits
Counteroffers may go back and forth until both parties agree
Once accepted, the home becomes “under contract”
10. Inspections, Appraisal, and Disclosures
Buyer schedules a home inspection
You may receive repair requests or credit requests
Provide legally required disclosures about the property
Appraisal ordered by the buyer’s lender must confirm the value
Your agent helps navigate disputes or renegotiations
11. Pending Period (Under Contract)
Title search is ordered
Buyers finalize their mortgage
Your attorney (if applicable) prepares closing documents
You coordinate moving plans and utility transfer
Any agreed repairs should be completed and documented
12. Closing the Sale
Final walkthrough is completed by buyer
Sign documents transferring ownership
Pay off your remaining mortgage and closing costs
Receive your proceeds from the sale
Hand over keys, garage openers, manuals, and access devices