Connecticut process · seller view

The Connecticut Home-Selling Process: Your Step-by-Step Checklist

This checklist walks Connecticut home sellers through every stage of a sale, from picking a listing agent to handing over the keys at closing.

Reading as seller. Switch to buyer

Phase 1 of 7 · typically 2-6 weeks

Pre-Offer (Getting Listed)

Hire your listing team, complete the paperwork Connecticut requires before you market the home, and get the house ready to show.

Interview and choose a listing agent
YouBefore you put the home on the market
Talk to two or three local agents about pricing, marketing plans, and fees. Ask each one how they will market your home and what they charge for their services. Pick the agent who explains things clearly and seems like a good fit.
Cost: $0
Sign the Connecticut agency disclosure form
Your agentAt the first substantive meeting
Connecticut law requires your agent to give you a written agency disclosure (sometimes called the RECAD or 'Working With a Real Estate Broker' form) at your first real conversation about selling. The form explains who the agent legally represents. Read it, ask questions, and sign before you share any private financial details.
You'll need
- Photo ID
Cost: $0
Sign a written listing agreement with your brokerage
Your agentBefore your home is marketed
Your agent will give you a written listing agreement that spells out the listing price, the length of the listing, the services included, and the commission you have agreed to pay the brokerage. Connecticut requires this contract to be in writing. Make sure the term, cancellation rules, and fees are clear before you sign.
You'll need
- Proof of ownership
- Photo ID
Cost: $0
Complete the Connecticut Residential Property Condition Disclosure Report
YouBefore any purchase contract is signed
Connecticut sellers must fill out and deliver the Residential Property Condition Disclosure Report under C.G.S. §20-327b before a buyer signs a purchase agreement. You answer questions about what you know about the roof, plumbing, electrical, well, septic, heating, environmental issues, and known disputes. Skipping the form means you owe the buyer a $500 credit at closing.
You'll need
- Records of repairs
- Permits
- Well or septic records (if applicable)
Cost: $0 (or $500 credit to buyer if skipped)
Disclose any underground oil or fuel tank
YouWhen completing the disclosure report
Connecticut has many homes heated by oil, and the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection tracks underground storage tanks. If your home has, or ever had, an underground oil tank, you must disclose it on the property condition form. Pull any records you have showing when the tank was installed, tested, or removed.
You'll need
- Tank installation, testing, or removal records
Cost: $0
Gather your property paperwork
YouBefore listing
Pull together a folder of documents your attorney, agent, and buyer will need. This usually includes your deed, the most recent property tax bill, any survey, recent utility bills, warranties, permit records, and HOA documents if any. Having these ready now saves stress later.
You'll need
- Deed
- Recent tax bill
- Survey
- Permits
- Warranties
- HOA documents (if applicable)
Cost: $0
Get the home ready to show
You1-2 weeks before listing
Declutter, deep-clean, and handle small repairs that buyers notice right away, like chipped paint, broken switch plates, or a messy yard. Ask your agent if staging is worth it for your price range. Strong photos and a tidy home help the listing stand out online.
Cost: varies
Set your list price
Your agentRight before listing
Your agent should prepare a written comparative market analysis showing what similar homes nearby have sold for in the past few months. Look at the actual closed prices, not the asking prices, and factor in market conditions. Pick a list price that is competitive but leaves room to negotiate.
You'll need
- Comparative market analysis
Cost: $0
Decide whether to offer compensation to the buyer's agent
Your agentBefore listing
After the NAR settlement that took effect in August 2024, SmartMLS no longer lets sellers advertise buyer-agent compensation on the MLS itself. You can still choose to offer compensation to the buyer's agent outside the MLS, usually through a seller concession in the purchase contract. Talk through the pros and cons with your agent so you have a clear position when offers come in.
Cost: varies

Phase 2 of 7 · typically 1-3 weeks

Offer (Reviewing and Accepting)

Review the offers that come in, negotiate the price and terms, and sign the purchase and sale agreement.

Review every offer with your agent
Your agentAs offers arrive
When offers come in, your agent should walk you through each one side by side. Look at the price, the financing type, the deposit amount, the closing date, and any contingencies the buyer has added. The highest price is not always the best offer if the terms are weak.
You'll need
- Written offers
Cost: $0
Verify the buyer can actually pay
Your agentBefore accepting an offer
Ask your agent to confirm the buyer's pre-approval letter or proof of funds. For mortgage buyers, check that the lender is reputable and the pre-approval is recent. For cash buyers, ask for a bank statement showing the funds. This protects you from accepting an offer that falls apart later.
You'll need
- Pre-approval letter
- Proof of funds
Cost: $0
Negotiate counteroffers
Your agentWithin a few days of receiving an offer
If the price or terms are not quite right, your agent can prepare a counteroffer in writing. You can negotiate on price, closing date, deposit amount, included items like appliances, and which contingencies stay in. Keep counters in writing so nothing gets lost.
You'll need
- Counteroffer form
Cost: $0
Sign the Connecticut purchase and sale agreement
YouWhen you accept an offer
Connecticut transactions typically use the Connecticut REALTORS standard residential purchase and sale agreement. The contract covers the price, deposit, financing contingency, inspection contingency, closing date, and what stays with the house. Read the whole thing before you sign, and have your closing attorney review it if you can.
You'll need
- Purchase and sale agreement
Cost: $0
Confirm the earnest money deposit terms
Your agentAt contract signing
The contract will say how much earnest money the buyer puts down and who holds it. In Connecticut, a listing broker who holds the deposit must put it into a separate trust account at an insured bank within three business days. Make sure the contract names the holder and the deposit amount clearly.
You'll need
- Deposit receipt
Cost: $0
Write down all contingency dates
Your agentRight after the contract is signed
Most purchase contracts have deadlines for inspections, mortgage commitment, and any other contingencies the buyer wants. Put each deadline on a calendar with reminders. Missing a deadline can give either side the right to back out, so it pays to track them closely.
You'll need
- Signed purchase agreement
Cost: $0

Phase 3 of 7 · typically 1-2 weeks after acceptance

Under Contract

Hire your closing attorney, get the buyer the documents they need, and start the paperwork that leads to closing.

Hire a Connecticut closing attorney
YouWithin a few days of going under contract
Connecticut is an attorney-closing state, which means a licensed Connecticut attorney must handle the title work, deed, and closing. Sellers usually hire their own attorney, separate from the buyer's attorney. Ask your agent for referrals, and pick someone who handles residential closings every week.
You'll need
- Signed purchase agreement
Cost: $700-1,500 typical
Confirm the deposit landed in the broker's trust account
Your agentWithin 3 business days of receipt
Once the buyer sends the earnest money to the listing brokerage, the broker must deposit it into the trust account within three business days under Connecticut rules. Ask your agent for written confirmation that the deposit cleared. If anyone suggests commingling deposit money with other funds, push back immediately.
You'll need
- Deposit confirmation
Cost: $0
Deliver the condo disclosure package (if applicable)
YouAs soon as you go under contract
If you are selling a condo, townhouse, or other common-interest unit, Connecticut law requires you to give the buyer a disclosure package before the purchase agreement is signed. For communities created on or after January 1, 1984, that means a Public Offering Statement under the Common Interest Ownership Act. For older condos, the package follows the pre-1984 Connecticut Condominium Act. Order the package from your association as soon as you go under contract.
You'll need
- Declaration
- Bylaws
- Rules
- Current budget
- Resale certificate
Cost: $100-400 typical
Order your mortgage payoff statement
Attorney2-3 weeks before closing
Your closing attorney will need a written payoff statement from your current mortgage lender showing the exact amount owed on your closing date. Reach out to your lender, or ask your attorney to do it for you, well before closing so there is no delay.
You'll need
- Most recent mortgage statement
Cost: $0-50
Cooperate with the buyer's title search
Attorney2-4 weeks before closing
The buyer's attorney will run a title search to confirm you own the property free of liens and other claims. If they find an old lien, judgment, or boundary issue, your attorney will help clear it. Respond quickly to any document requests so this does not push back your closing date.
You'll need
- Old title insurance policy (if you have it)
Cost: $0
Respond to buyer document requests quickly
YouThroughout the under-contract phase
The buyer and their lender may ask for things like utility bills, recent appraisals, or proof of permits during this stage. Keep your folder of property documents handy and send what you can within a day or two. Slow responses are one of the most common causes of delayed closings.
You'll need
- Property document folder
Cost: $0

Phase 4 of 7 · typically 1-2 weeks

Inspection

Let the buyer's inspectors into the home, review their findings, and negotiate any repairs or credits.

Allow access for the home inspection
YouWithin the inspection contingency window
The buyer will hire a professional home inspector to look at the roof, foundation, mechanical systems, and more. You usually need to leave the home for two to four hours during the inspection. Make sure utilities are on and all areas, including the attic, basement, and crawl space, are reachable.
Cost: $0
Review the inspection report with your agent
Your agentWithin a few days of the inspection
After the inspection, the buyer will share a report and likely ask for some repairs, credits, or a price reduction. Read the full report with your agent. Focus on big-ticket items, like a leaking roof or failing furnace, rather than every small cosmetic note.
You'll need
- Inspection report
Cost: $0
Negotiate repairs or a credit
Your agentBefore the inspection contingency expires
You can fix items yourself, give the buyer a credit at closing, lower the price, or refuse. Most Connecticut sellers offer a credit instead of doing repairs, because it avoids the risk of work the buyer dislikes. Put any agreement in a written amendment to the purchase contract.
You'll need
- Inspection report
- Contract amendment
Cost: varies
Address radon test results (if the buyer tests)
YouAfter the inspection results come back
Connecticut has elevated radon risk in many areas, especially the western part of the state. Buyers often pay for a radon test. If the result is above the EPA action level of 4.0 pCi/L, the buyer may ask you to install a mitigation system. A typical mitigation system costs $1,000 to $1,800 in Connecticut.
You'll need
- Radon test results
Cost: $1,000-1,800 if mitigation needed
Resolve underground tank concerns (if applicable)
YouDuring the inspection window
If your home has, or had, an underground oil tank, the buyer's inspector may ask for testing or proof of proper removal. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has rules about tank closure and soil testing. Coordinate with a licensed tank contractor, and share any closure documents with the buyer.
You'll need
- Tank removal or closure records
- Soil test results
Cost: varies

Phase 5 of 7 · typically 2-4 weeks

Loan and Appraisal

Help the buyer's lender finish underwriting and the appraisal so the loan can close on time.

Prepare the home for the appraisal
YouA few days before the appraisal
Make a short list of improvements you have done in the past few years, like a new roof, furnace, or kitchen update, along with rough costs. Give the list to your agent to share with the appraiser. Clean the home and make sure it presents well, just like for a showing.
You'll need
- Home improvement list
- Permits for major work
Cost: $0
Allow access for the appraiser
YouWhen the lender orders the appraisal
The buyer's lender hires the appraiser. Your agent will set up the appointment and let you know when to be out of the house. The visit is usually short, about 30 to 60 minutes, and the appraiser needs to see every room plus the exterior.
Cost: $0
Handle a low appraisal
Your agentWithin a few days of the appraisal coming in
If the appraisal comes in below the contract price, the buyer's lender will only loan against the lower number. You can lower the price to match, agree to split the difference, ask the buyer to bring more cash, or challenge the appraisal with better comparable sales. Your agent should lead the response.
You'll need
- Appraisal report
- Comparable sales data
Cost: varies
Confirm the buyer's loan commitment
Your agentBy the financing contingency deadline
Your contract has a deadline for the buyer to deliver a written mortgage commitment from their lender. Track that date closely. If the buyer needs an extension, your attorney can prepare a written amendment so everyone has the same paper trail.
You'll need
- Loan commitment letter
Cost: $0

Phase 6 of 7 · typically 1-2 weeks before closing

Pre-Closing

Wrap up the details that determine your net check at closing, from conveyance tax to walk-through prep.

Schedule the buyer's final walk-through
Your agent1-2 days before closing
The buyer will do one last walk-through, usually within 24 to 48 hours of closing, to make sure the home is in the same condition as when they signed the contract. Have the home cleaned out and any agreed repairs completed. Your agent will set the appointment.
Cost: $0
Cancel or transfer utilities
You1-2 weeks before closing
Schedule the gas, electric, water, internet, and trash to be read and switched out of your name on the closing date. Do not shut anything off early, since the home needs to be working for the final walk-through. Keep written confirmation of every transfer.
You'll need
- Utility account numbers
Cost: $0
Calculate the Connecticut conveyance tax
Attorney1 week before closing
Connecticut charges a state conveyance tax that the seller pays, plus a smaller municipal tax that varies by town. For residential property, the state rate is 0.75% on the first $800,000 of the price and 1.25% on the portion between $800,001 and $2,500,000. Ask your attorney for the exact number on your settlement statement so there are no surprises.
You'll need
- Settlement statement draft
Cost: 0.75%-1.25% of sale price
Plan for nonresident income tax withholding (if you live out of state)
AttorneyAt least 2 weeks before closing
If you are not a Connecticut resident for state income tax purposes, Connecticut requires withholding of 6.99% on the taxable gain from your sale under C.G.S. §12-242aa. Your closing attorney typically computes and remits the withholding from your proceeds. If you expect a smaller tax bill, you can apply to the Department of Revenue Services in advance for a reduced withholding certificate.
You'll need
- Tax basis records
- Prior tax returns
Cost: 6.99% of taxable gain
Handle FIRPTA withholding (if you are a foreign seller)
AttorneyAs early as possible in the contract
If you are not a U.S. person under federal tax rules, the buyer must withhold a portion of the sale price under the federal Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act. The standard rate is 15%, with lower rates for some smaller residential sales. Talk with your attorney and a tax professional early, because reduced-withholding certificates from the IRS take weeks to obtain.
You'll need
- IRS Form 8288 information
- Tax basis records
Cost: 10-15% of sale price
Note the Connecticut mansion tax (sales over $2.5 million)
Attorney1 week before closing
Connecticut adds a top-tier state conveyance tax rate of 2.25% on the portion of a residential sale price above $2,500,000. This is on top of the lower rates that apply to the rest of the price. If your sale is in this range, ask your attorney for a written breakdown so you know exactly what comes off your proceeds at closing.
You'll need
- Settlement statement draft
Cost: 2.25% of amount over $2.5M
Gather keys, remotes, and manuals
YouDay before or day of closing
Round up every key, garage remote, mailbox key, alarm code, and appliance manual you want to hand over. Put them in a labeled bag or envelope. Buyers really appreciate getting a clean handoff packet, and missing keys can sour the closing.
You'll need
- Appliance manuals
- Warranty info
Cost: $0
Review the closing statement
Attorney1-2 days before closing
A day or two before closing, your attorney will send the settlement statement showing the price, payoffs, taxes, commissions, and your net proceeds. Read every line. Ask about anything you do not recognize, and confirm where your net check or wire is being sent.
You'll need
- Settlement statement
Cost: $0

Phase 7 of 7 · typically 1 day

Closing

Sign the deed, hand over the keys, and pick up your net proceeds.

Attend closing with your Connecticut attorney
AttorneyOn closing day
Connecticut closings must be supervised by a Connecticut attorney, since drafting deeds and conducting closings are treated as the practice of law. You can usually sign in advance or remotely if your attorney agrees, but plan to either appear in person or get documents notarized ahead of time. Bring a valid photo ID and your wire instructions.
You'll need
- Photo ID
- Wire instructions
Cost: $0 (attorney fee already set)
Sign the deed and other transfer documents
YouAt closing
You will sign the deed transferring the home, an affidavit of title, conveyance tax forms, and possibly a smoke and carbon monoxide detector affidavit. Read each one before signing, and let your attorney explain anything that is unclear. Once everything is signed, the deed is recorded with the town clerk.
You'll need
- Deed
- Affidavit of title
- Conveyance tax forms
Cost: $0
File the state and municipal conveyance tax returns
AttorneyAt closing or right after recording
Your attorney files the state real estate conveyance tax return with the Department of Revenue Services and the municipal portion with the town clerk at the time the deed is recorded. The taxes come out of your proceeds, so you do not write a separate check. Keep a copy of the filed returns with your tax records.
You'll need
- Conveyance tax forms
- Deed
Cost: Included in conveyance tax
Receive your net proceeds
AttorneyClosing day or the next business day
After the buyer's loan funds and the deed is recorded, your attorney releases your net proceeds. Most sellers prefer a wire transfer to their bank, which usually arrives the same day. Double-check your wire instructions in person with your attorney to avoid wire fraud.
You'll need
- Wire instructions
- Photo ID
Cost: $0 (wire fee may apply)
Hand over keys and transfer possession
YouAfter funding and recording
After the closing is confirmed funded and recorded, give the buyer the keys, garage remotes, and any codes. Confirm with your agent that the buyer has been notified the home is theirs. If you negotiated a use-and-occupancy period to stay past closing, follow the written terms exactly.
You'll need
- Keys
- Remotes
- Codes
Cost: $0

Sources

Last updated May 15, 2026