A realistic Connecticut home sale timeline from listing decision to closed deal, with all-in costs broken out. What sellers actually net at the end.
The full timeline
A typical Connecticut home sale runs 80–110 days from your decision to list to wired proceeds in your bank account, assuming a financed buyer and a market in balance. Here's how those days actually break down:
- Weeks 1–2: Decision, agent selection, listing strategy session, pricing analysis
- Weeks 3–4: Prep work — repairs, decluttering, staging consultation, professional photography and video
- Week 5: Pre-MLS marketing if applicable (coming-soon status, agent network outreach)
- Weeks 6–8: Active on MLS, showings and open houses, initial offers
- Weeks 9–10: Offer review, negotiation, executed contract, attorney engagement
- Weeks 11–14: Inspections, financing contingency, appraisal, attorney title work, mortgage commitment
- Weeks 15–16: Final walk-through and closing
- After closing: Wire transfer of net proceeds usually arrives 1–3 business days after closing
All-in seller costs
Total seller costs in Connecticut typically run 7–9% of the sale price. On a $750K home, expect:
- Agent commission (negotiable, typically 5–6%): $37,500–$45,000
- State conveyance tax (0.75% on first $800K, 1.25% above): ~$5,625
- Municipal conveyance tax (0.25–0.5%): $1,875–$3,750 depending on town
- Seller's attorney: $1,500–$2,500
- Mortgage payoff and recording: $200–$500 (your bank may also charge a payoff/release fee)
- Prorated property tax for partial year: variable
- Pre-sale repairs/staging (optional): $2,000–$15,000 depending on scope
- Total: $48,000–$72,000 on a $750K home, or 6.5–9.5% of sale price
Pricing — the single most important decision
Almost every avoidable problem in a CT home sale traces back to mispricing. Overpricing leads to extended days-on-market and ultimately lower sale prices because buyers assume something is wrong with the property. Underpricing leaves real money on the table.
The right price is set by recent sold comparables in the same town (and ideally the same street/neighborhood), adjusted for condition, lot, and amenities. Don't trust Zestimates or generic algorithmic valuations — they miss town-specific demand and current absorption rate.
Common contingencies and how they break
Most CT contracts include inspection, financing, and appraisal contingencies. Each is a potential point of renegotiation or deal collapse:
- Inspection: buyer's home inspector finds something; buyer requests credit or repair; deal can fall through if you don't negotiate
- Financing: buyer's lender denies the loan or underwriting comes back tight; usually fatal but sometimes recoverable
- Appraisal: appraiser values the home below the contract price; either you reduce price, buyer brings extra cash, or the deal restructures
Net proceeds — what you actually keep
On a $750K sale with a $300K remaining mortgage and 8% total seller costs ($60K), your net proceeds are roughly $390K. From that, you'll owe federal capital gains tax on the gain above your basis (with a $250K/$500K exclusion if it's your primary residence and you meet the use test).
Connecticut does not separately tax capital gains beyond the state income tax — your taxable gain is added to your CT income at the marginal rate (up to 6.99%).