If you are selling your home in Westport, Connecticut, take the right steps before you list it to help ensure a smooth, fast sale. There are several things you’ll need to do, all of which will pay off in the end.

Hire the Right Real Estate Agent

Selling Westport real estate can be a complicated process, and making mistakes along the way can cost you time and money. The best way to navigate the process from start to finish as painlessly as possible is to hire a real estate agent who knows the local market and has a track record of successful sales. 

The right agent will advise you at every step of the way, including listing your home, getting it ready for showings and open houses, negotiating the best price, and finally, getting through the closing. Your agent will handle all the paperwork and perform other services like recommending a handyperson if any repairs are necessary.

Set a Realistic Price

Some markets are so hot, so many offers flood in at above the listing price. If your market isn’t like this scenario, you’ll need to set a realistic price in order to assure a timely sale. If Westport real estate is overpriced, it could languish on the market for weeks on end. As expected, this doesn’t leave a good impression because buyers might think something is wrong with it. 

A good agent will prepare a list of “comps” or comparable homes for sale in your area. By looking at this list, you and your agent can set a price that will be attractive to a wider range of buyers. You might find that some buyers fall in love with your home and are willing to meet your asking price or even offer a little more in order to get it. Other buyers might be looking within a set price range, so you’ll also want to get their attention with a realistic price. 

Your agent will help you sort through offers to make sure potential buyers have financing lined up ahead of time. It might be safer to accept an offer from a buyer with solid financing than to accept a higher offer from a buyer who hasn’t been pre-approved.

Focus on Curb Appeal

Potential buyers of houses for sale in Westport get the first impression of your home when they drive up, which makes curb appeal incredibly important. Tidy up the landscaping by mowing the lawn, trimming hedges and bushes, and maybe plant some flowers. Wash the windows, sweep the porch and sidewalk, and touch up the paint, if necessary, even if it’s just the trim. A nice-looking exterior can interest buyers even before they’ve set foot inside your home, making a great first impression. If you have the nicest-looking home on your street, that bodes well for selling.

Stage the Interior

When buyers first enter your home, you want them to instantly develop a favorable impression. Potential buyers want to visualize themselves living in your home, so it needs to be clean, uncluttered and inviting. Start by giving your home a thorough cleaning, and get rid of clutter, so your interior is a blank space that buyers can imagine themselves making their own. 

Remove personal items such as all family photos and any other possessions that will distract the buyers. Also, remove any excess furniture to show off your floor plan and allow the buyers to move through the home with ease. Make sure that each room is staged to show off its function. If necessary, move any unneeded items into a storage unit.

Residents with houses for sale in Westport can hire a professional stager to help showcase their home. It’s an investment worth making, as the National Association of Realtors (NAR) estimates that staged homes sell 88% faster than non-staged homes and for 20% more. If you do not want a stager in your home for some reason, you can try virtual staging. By using a computer program, you can virtually decorate your home, so buyers can view it online.

Take Care of Maintenance

You can further maximize the sale of your Westport real estate by giving buyers the peace of mind that your home is low-maintenance and that everything is in working order. Make sure that all appliances are in working condition, and replace those that aren’t working properly or are out of style. 

Check the water heater and HVAC system to make sure they are working properly, and have them serviced if necessary. Replace worn carpeting and paint the interior in a neutral, bright color. Check the roof to see if it needs to be repaired or replaced. Buyers are already making a big enough investment, and they will be relieved if they don’t have to make further expenditures on big-ticket items.

You and your agent might also consider making an allowance for any upgrades that might be better handled by the buyers once they’re in the home, such as for carpeting or appliances that they would like to choose.

Make sure that all bathroom and kitchen fixtures are working and not leaking, such as faucets, toilets, showers, and bathtubs.  Replace any faulty or burned-out light bulbs, and check all doors, cabinets, and drawers to ensure they are in working order.

Be Willing to Negotiate

If you need to make a quick sale or the market is slow for houses for sale in Westport, consider sweetening the deal. Offer to purchase a transferable home warranty, which gives the buyer peace of mind knowing appliances and systems are covered against breakdowns. You can also offer to pay some of the closing costs. Every little bit could help you swing a quick sale.

If you plan to list your home on the Westport real estate market, take steps as soon as possible to add value so that you will be able to ask for a higher price when you are ready to sell.  Work with an experienced Westport real estate agent like those at The Local Realtors group to maximize your offers and ensure that the entire selling process goes smoothly.