By now you’ve probably seen the incredible headlines of homeowners getting multiple offers for their homes and achieving sale prices of well over the asking price of the property.   In fact, when selling Westport, CT real estate, Julie Walsh has multiple examples of homes that she listed that sold for well over the asking price that was originally presented. 

You can view some of these success stories here.  

And so, the question remains, is it STILL a good time to sell your piece of real estate?  The short answer is, yes.  Here’s why:

There are a number of different reasons you should consider selling your home now.  First, buyer demand remains quite high.  With more buyers looking to find their dream home there will be many chances for your property to be seen.  If buyer demand is high, that is one piece you need to get the best possible return on your property’s investment.

The other piece of this equation is to look at the inventory in the local market, that is, how many homes that are roughly equivalent to your property are on the market at the time that you are trying to sell your home.  Currently inventory remains quite low in Westport and surrounding markets.  When inventory is low, your house has a better chance to be the crowning jewel of the market at the time it is listed.  

The combination of high buyer demand and low market inventory are a perfect indicator that now is, indeed, still the right time for you to sell your property.  They are not the only reasons why now is a good time to sell though.  

Another reason that now may be a good time to sell your Westport, CT real estate is that mortgage rates are climbing.  As the U.S. The Federal Reserve is working to curb the high inflation rates that the country is currently experiencing. It is briskly raising interest rates and so borrowing money is becoming more expensive.  If your home were listed last year, mortgage rates would have been incredibly favorable in the low 3% range, but today, mortgage rates have risen to a still low, 5% or slightly higher.  As interest rates continue to climb, more and more buyers will delay their home purchase and that could mean that buyer demand could wane.

The final piece to this puzzle is your timing.  Life events are often a prime reason why homeowners are selling property.  Whether it’s getting married or divorced, whether you and your partner have become empty nesters or are ready to grow your family, a life event is the perfect impetus for you to sell your home.   If your timing is right then the market conditions make it a great time to sell.

With an experienced and accomplished REALTOR® by your side you will be able to take full advantage of the current market conditions to get the biggest return on your investment that you possibly can get.  Contact me today and we can talk about your selling options.

Executing a deep clean before putting your home on the market will not only help it shine, but it will make tidiness easier to maintain between showings. Here are some power–cleaning tips to try. 

Clean windows make a huge difference. Remove window screens and place them outside on a tarp or other clean, waterproof surface. Use a garden hose, an all–purpose cleaner, and a soft brush to gently clean the screens. You don‘t need anything special to polish up window glass; just mix a solution of one part white vinegar to eight parts water, plus a drop or two of dishwashing liquid in a spray bottle. Wipe with newspaper to avoid streaks. (Washing on a cloudy day also reduces streaking.) 

The fridge is the most common source of kitchen smells. Check the drip tray underneath your refrigerator and wash out any standing water from defrosting. Scrub the inside of the fridge with a baking soda and water solution. Activated charcoal in the fridge can help keep odors at bay. 

Think outside the house. It‘s amazing the difference a sparkling entryway makes to your home‘s curb appeal. Wipe down your front door, give shake/vacuum, and make sure dust and dirt haven‘t collected on outdoor furniture. Use a pressure washer to give your driveway and garage floor a good cleaning. The acidity in dark cola drinks can help remove oil, rust, and grease stains, along with a little elbow grease. 

Target the Bathroom. For tile floors, apply your usual cleaner and then run a wet/dry vac, which will suck contaminants out of the grout. Pour a quarter cup each of baking soda and vinegar down the drains, leaving the concoction overnight, then flush with boiling water. Clean soap scum and mildew from plastic shower curtains by tossing them into your washer on the gentle cycle in cold water, with detergent and 12 cup vinegar (if mildew is present, add 1/2 cup of bleach instead of vinegar). Put a couple of large towels into the machine to act as scrubbers. Allow the curtain to drip–dry on the rod. 

Make your bed better. Vacuum mattresses and box springs, and then rotate and flip over. Do the same for removable furniture cushions. This is also a great time to wash or dry–clean the dust ruffle and mattress pad. Add new loft to a lumpy comforter by having two people vigorously shake the quilt up and down to redistribute stuffing. 

Wash the walls. Grease, smoke, and dust can adhere to walls and make even the best decorating look dingy. Resist the temptation to spot–clean since it will make the rest of the wall look dirtier. Mop walls using a general–purpose cleaner diluted with hot water. Start at the top corner of the wall to avoid drips. Don‘t press too hard, and rinse the mop head frequently in clean water. Use melamine foam cleaner to erase scuffs and stains.