They appreciated seeing photographer Dave Matlow’s archival images of homes he photographed for WestportNow’s “Teardown of the Day” — juxtaposed with their current-day replacements.
Dave is taking new shots, from the same distance and angle. Here are 4 more houses that are now gone, along with the new ones.
Werner Liepolt lives in the Bridge Street Historic District.
He has watched with interest as the District has become part of the discussion around the future of the Cribari Bridge. He writes:
Myth 1: “Historic district status means nothing can be changed.”
Fact: National Register listing does not stop projects. It simply requires that federally involved projects evaluate impacts on historic character and consider alternatives before decisions are finalized.
Myth 2: “This is just one neighborhood trying to protect itself.”
Fact: Federal law requires special review when a project may affect a recognized historic district. The issue isn’t favoritism — it’s whether required federal review standards are being followed properly.
Myth 3: “Historic protections only apply to buildings, not traffic.”
Fact: Under federal review (NEPA and Section 106), agencies must consider indirect effects — including traffic patterns, noise, vibration, and setting — if they could affect a historic district’s character.
Historic District: The 1886 Orlando Allen House, at 24 Bridge Street.
Myth 4: “The bridge is old, so replacement is inevitable.”
Fact: Federal law requires agencies to evaluate a reasonable range of alternatives, including rehabilitation, before deciding on replacement — especially for historic resources.
Fact: Safety improvements can absolutely happen. The requirement is simply that agencies evaluate options carefully and transparently before selecting an approach.
Myth 6: “If traffic is a problem everywhere, the historic district shouldn’t matter.”
Fact: Many areas face traffic concerns, but federally recognized historic districts trigger specific legal review requirements that don’t apply in the same way elsewhere.
18 Bridge Street
Myth 7: “This is about stopping progress.”
Fact: The goal is not to stop change, but to ensure that decisions are made with full information and proper public process, as required under federal law.
Myth 8: “Bridge Street National District is no different than other neighborhoods.”
Fact: It has been recognized nationally, and what happens fall under federal regulations.
(“06880” Opinion pages are open to all. Email submissions to 06880blog@gmail.com)
What’s next for the property, bordered by Riverside Avenue, Railroad Place and Charles Street?
Stay tuned.
Artist’s rendering of the Hamlet at Saugatuck project.
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Hoop dreams have come true for over 50 youngsters in Santo Domingo.
They’re the recipients of uniforms and basketballs, donated by Westport residents through Westport PAL.
Full Court Peace — a Norwalk organization that provides equipment to under-served communities — facilitated the delivery. They run frequent trips to the Dominican Republic, to repair courts and support youth leagues.
Boys in Santo Domingo sport Westport basketball jerseys.
The Westport Rotary and Sunrise Rotary Clubs join their Norwalk and Wilton Rotary colleagues this Saturday, to help ease food insecurity.
At the Saugatuck Congregational Church event, dozens of volunteers will pack 12,500 nutritious meals. The clubs will then deliver them to Homes With Hope in Westport and Open Doors in Norwalk, for distribution through food pantries.
The church is providing the space, and custodial setup and cleanup, at no charge.
It’s a hometown event. Corbelli — a Westport resident — knows something about making a lasting impact.
As the first female founder in the advertising technology industry, she pioneered interactive TV with her company BrightLine. Her technology platform SustainChain addresses global sustainability and justice.
Jazz pianist Matt DeChamplain brings his James P. Johnson-, Fats Waller-, Willie “The Lion” Smith- and Art Tatum-influenced talents to Jazz at the Post this Thursday (February 19, VFW Post 399; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner from 7).
He’s joined by long time associates Matt Dwonszyk (bass) and Jonathan Barber (drums), plus Kerry MacKillop (trumpet) and Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall (saxophone).
Jerry Kennedy, the guitarist, producer and record executive who had a major hand in shaping the music being made in Nashville in the 1960s and ’70s, including chart-topping hits by Roger Miller, Roy Orbison, Tom T. Hall and Tammy Wynette, died on Wednesday in hospice care in Franklin, Tenn. He was 85.
It was not until paragraph 8 that we learn he “unleash(ed) the ferocious guitar solo” that opens “Oh, Pretty Woman.”
We last checked in with Jenny Bentley and Jennifer Dewis more than a year ago.
The women share more than first names. They moved to Westport on the same day in 2008. They met while dropping off their 3rd graders at Greens Farms Elementary School.
Both were good at helping friends’ parents downsize their homes. Inevitably, they joined forces. Their business — 2Jens Organizing — thrives. Empty nesters themselves, they fill a great niche: taking the stress out of moving from a large house to a smaller one.
Now they’ve taken on volunteer work, at Homes with Hope’s food pantry and A Better Chance of Westport’s Glendarcy House.
The Jens lend their expertise by helping organize the food — no easy task, with constant donations and an ever-growing line of residents seeking produce, meats, household products and more.
The 2 Jens (center and right), in the well-organized Homes with Hope food pantry.
The ABC home — where students from underserved communities live, eat and study, while attending Staples — also benefits from the women’s talents. Last summer, they helped make a home away from home for the teenagers.
High schoolers and food-insecure people offer a break from other clients.
Those include older residents. The 2 Jens have developed an expertise helping seniors downsize.
When they began, the women did not realize there was such a need for that service.
But as they worked with seniors who are downsizing or moving into assisted living, they discovered how daunting and emotionally loaded the task is.
Packing and organizing boxes can be physically — and emotionally — difficult.
Because health issues often trigger a downsize, some clients are physically not up to the task.
Often too family members are not available, because of time or distance constraints.
Well-meaning adult children who are around cannot always help, either. They can even hurt the process. They’re too close to the situation.
But the organizers work closely with family — remotely, if necessary — and are sensitive to the emotional roller coaster of going through the contents of a home with a lifetime of memorabilia.
Jenny Bentley (left) and Jennifer Dewis.
Their goal is to make what can be a fraught and overwhelming process as smooth as possible.
The 2 Jens help sort through a home’s contents, providing objectives eyes. And years of experience helping folks make plans, then carrying them out. (The plans, not the clients.)
They work together to decide what to keep, sell or donate. They bring small items to Goodwill, and call auction houses.
They organize the movers, including unpacking and setting up the new home — even hanging art on the walls.
“A lot of this is intuitive. We’re very good listeners,” Jenny says. “We consult. We advise. But we’re very respectful of people’s wishes.”
A new room.
The women know it can be hard to part with memorabilia. Gently, they help sort through it. if there are 75 pieces of artwork from elementary school, perhaps 10 are enough to keep?
Much of that memorabilia is all over the place: refrigerators, mantels, basements, attics. The Jens are geniuses at sorting it, putting it in bins, and labeling it.
Moving can be a fraught experience. Clients invite Jenny and Jennifer into their personal space. But they don’t want to feel criticized or judged.
“Whatever works for them is fine,” Jenny says. She leaves out the second part: Even if we don’t like it ourselves.
What they do is largely “problem-solving,” she adds. “We have independent eyes, we come up with a game plan, we communicate it with them, and then we work on the timing of everything.”
Once a client has moved into a new home, the Jens are there. They organize, say, a kitchen. They bring their expertise, but stop often to ask: Does this work for you?
Garage, before and after the 2 Jens went to work.
They also continue to work with clients needing more typical help. This time of year — when it’s cold outside, and the excitement of the holidays has worn off — is a good time to purge closets or tackle messy rooms, they say.
The women’s expertise comes from their own lives. Both have moved often. They’ve set up their own homes, and helped their 6 children (combined) move into new bedrooms, dorm rooms and apartments.
The women charge by the hour. Clients can stop the clock any time, and not feel locked into a contract.
However, Jenny notes, “jobs tend to get bigger as we go. Once we get started, people realize they need more things done.”
De-cluttering is never easy. There’s a lot of stuff in those closets, basements and attics.
The 2 Jens help make sense — and well-organized, clearly labeled bins — of it.
Just ask Homes with Hope, and A Better Chance of Westport.
Last weekend, curious residents headed over to Beachside Common, to see #11 for themselves.
An estate sale drew them to the home of biotech entrepreneur/investor/scientist Alan Walton and his wife Elenor.
They bought the 1970s contemporary overlooking Burying Hill Beach in 2000, for $6.3 million. It was expanded and “reimagined” in the 1990s — for $13 million.
One view of he exterior …
With its floating staircase, periscope skylights, rainbow glazing purple carpet — and a 150-foot multicolored tile pathway that “meanders” through the house — it was not for everyone.
Alan died in 2015. Elenor died last February. The couple was a much-admired part of their tight-knit neighborhood.
In her will, Elenor told her children to sell the property.
They did. Now it’s slated for demolition.
,,, and another …
The other day, an anonymous Westporter — calling him or herself “Concerned Quirky Citizen” — emailed the Planning & Zoning Commission, Westport Downtown Association, and various other town and state officials. The writer urged “the Town of Westport and any relevant boards, commissions, and elected officials to reconsider” the teardown.
That’s a heavy lift. The Historic District Commission can only vote to delay demolition of a structure older than 50 years, for 180 days. In theory, that buys time to find a way to save a home.
In nearly every case, the owner — who presumably brought the property intending to tear it down — waits out the delay, then brings in the wrecking ball.
That will probably happen to 11 Beachside Common. But here is the anonymous resident’s plea:
“From everything that has been shared publicly, this home is not only an extraordinary piece of residential architecture, but also a physical record of technological, cultural, and artistic history.
“This property appears to represent a rare convergence of design, innovation and local heritage.
… with one view of the interior …
“The house underwent an extensive and highly considered transformation by a noted architect, resulting in a structure that functions more like a livable gallery than a conventional home. It stands out for its unconventional forms, light-filled interior spaces, and the way it integrates with its coastal setting.
“Many visitors and community members have described it as unlike anything else in the area, which suggests it may be eligible for recognition as a historically or architecturally significant resource.
“In addition to its architectural value, the home is closely associated with individuals whose work shaped modern science and technology, including contributions connected to NASA’s Apollo program and to early MRI development.
“When a building has direct ties to people whose work has had a global impact, and when that building has been consciously designed and redesigned with that legacy in mind, demolition is not just a private decision with private consequences. It is the permanent erasure of a cultural asset that could otherwise benefit the town, the state, and the broader public.
… and another …
“I fully recognize that the property is privately owned and that owners have important rights. At the same time, towns routinely treat certain structures and landscapes as part of the public good and subject them to additional review or protection when they meet criteria for historic, architectural, or cultural significance.
“I am asking that Westport, in coordination with its relevant boards and commissions, explore all available mechanisms to:
Evaluate whether 11 Beachside Common meets local, state, or national criteria for historic or architectural significance.
Consider interim measures (such as a temporary delay of demolition) to allow proper study and public input.
Engage with the current owner and any interested preservation organizations to explore alternatives to total demolition, such as adaptive reuse, partial preservation, sale to a preservation-minded buyer, or creative public–private partnerships.
“Preserving this structure, or even a substantial portion of it, could provide Westport with a unique cultural and educational asset. Possibilities might include limited public tours, curated events, collaborations with architectural schools or design programs, or partnerships with arts and science institutions that could interpret the technology and innovation stories embedded in the home.
… and a third …
“Many communities have successfully turned singular private properties into sources of civic pride, tourism, and long-term economic and cultural value while still respecting ownership and neighborhood character.
“Respectfully, it is hard to understand how a town benefits from losing a one‑of‑a‑kind coastal landmark that has captured the imagination of so many residents and visitors. Once demolished, it cannot be recreated. Even a modest pause, serious assessment, and transparent public conversation would be far better than allowing such an asset to vanish without a full understanding of what is being lost.
” want to be clear that I am not accusing any individual or entity of wrongdoing, and I recognize that the property may be proceeding through the standard approval and permitting channels.
“My concern is that, even when all legal requirements are followed, the loss of a culturally and architecturally significant home can still be a preventable tragedy, and I am asking that every available option be explored before an irreversible decision is carried out.
… and one more.
“At minimum, I ask that the town publicly communicate what steps, if any, have been taken to evaluate 11 Beachside Common for historic or architectural protection, and what opportunities exist for public participation in any remaining processes.
“Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your service to the community. I would be grateful for a response describing whether there are any upcoming meetings, hearings, or procedures related to this property, and how members of the public can best participate constructively.”
(Our “Opinion” pages are open to all. Please email submissions to 06880blog@gmail.com.)
(“06880” regularly covers Westport’s broad, always interesting real estate market — and every other part of local life. If you enjoy stories like this, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
In this strong real estate market — with many properties selling above the asking price — we hear a lot about “all-cash offers.”
Is that true? Are they really all cash? Or are buyers seeking financing, but waiving any mortgage contingencies? What does it mean for multiple-offer scenarios, which are common with most new listings?
In a competitive market like Westport, cash offers can provide a distinct advantage. Sellers often prefer the certainty and speed of cash transactions, which can bypass the delays and contingencies tied to traditional mortgages.
According to SmartMLS, 56.5% of Westport’s 2025 buyers paid all cash.
But for most buyers, paying all cash upfront doesn’t mean they have the cash sitting idle. After all, the average price of Westport’s 2025 sales reported as cash purchases was $3.11 million.
This 5-bedroom, 7-bathroom, 6,050-square foot new construction on Owenoke is listed for $11.795 million. Will the buyer pay all cash?
So how does one come by all cash for a purchase?
While the KMS Team at Compass cannot provide investment advice, tax guidance or determine appropriate financing options for clients, we have seen many strategies in practice. These may be ideas to discuss with your financial advisor.
For those with significant assets in stocks and other investments, margin loans can be an intriguing option. By borrowing against the value of a portfolio without liquidating holdings, you may avoid triggering capital gains and preserve the potential for further market gains.
However, margin loans come with risk — the possibility of a margin call if the value of the portfolio declines. It’s a strategy that requires careful planning, and a strong stomach for market fluctuations.
The stock market rose in 2025. But that’s not always the case.
Another tactic is to “borrow” retirement resources. Presently, the IRS does not consider a withdrawal of funds taxable if the total amount withdrawn is replaced in the account within 60 days.
With proper timing and planning, funds can be repaid with proceeds from the sale of an existing home, or with money borrowed after closing.
After closing, buyers can access the equity in their home using several methods.
● Delayed financing: This requires purchasing the home with cash, and applying for a cash-out refinance immediately or within a few months.
● Home equity loan: A lump-sum loan, with fixed payments over time.
● Home equity line of credit (HELOC): A revolving line of credit, allowing you to borrow and repay as needed, similar to a credit card.
Others borrow, or are gifted, funds from relatives to purchase their home
So purchasing with “all cash” does not mean buyers tie up their capital indefinitely in real property. For some, it opens the door to strategic financing after the deal is done.
Many affluent buyers take a different approach to traditional 30-year fixed-rate mortgages. They may opt for interest-only loans,or other products that allow them to borrow at lower rates and keep their cash working, at a higher return, elsewhere. With the interest potentially deductible, the strategy becomes even more attractive.
Approximately 37% of Connecticut homeowners own their homes outright, with the percentage dropping to 23.6% for those homeowners of working age.
So yes: More than half of buyers strongly position their offers without financing contingencies to secure a home.
However, “cash” does not always mean cash.
And for those who can’t quite get there, many lenders have products that complete the underwriting process in advance and can present an actual loan commitment, subject only to property appraisal (if necessary) and homeowners insurance. This is as close to a cash offer as you can get.
(Speaking of which … you can support “06880” by credit card, check, PayPal, Venmo, or dropping off a bag of cash. Click here for the first 4 options; email us at 06880blog@gmail.com for the 5th!)
After last year’s property revaluation, Westport homeowners received letter with their new figures.
The 2025 Grand List — the sum of the net assessed value of all taxable property (real estate, motor vehicles, and personal property) — was released too. Driven by the revaluation, residential properties soared 60% from 2024.
Some Westporters — assuming their local taxes would rise by a similar amount — freaked out.
Andy Bangser is a lifelong Westporter and 1972 Staples High School graduate, who moved back in 1989. He is a founder of Foundation Source. More recently he has built AI-powered websites, including The Ledge — a site that decodes Congressional bills into plain English. He offers this help, understanding the revaluation and taxes:
Property revaluation letters landed recently. The natural response is: what happens to my tax bill?
Property revaluation does not mean taxes will rise the same amount.
While I’m not an expert in this area, and do not speak for the town, I can do the math.
The mill rate will drop — but not enough to offset higher values.
Westport’s total property value (the Grand List) jumped 50.6% since Covid. If town spending stayed flat, the mill rate would fall from 18.86 to about 12.52.
But that’s not the end of the story:
Spending won’t stay flat. Each 1% increase in the town budget adds roughly 0.125 to the mill rate. If the 2026-27 budget rises 4% — a reasonable estimate — the mill rate would be about 13.02.
Home values rose 61% while commercial values increased only 16%. That means our homes will shoulder a larger share of the cost of town services. I estimate commercial property taxes will go down more than 20%.
Commercial properties like Bridgewater Associates’ Nyala Farm headquarters did not rise nearly as much as residential ones.
How your tax is calculated:
Mill rate × assessed value ÷ 1,000
(Assessed value is 70% of estimated market value.)
Most homeowners will pay more.
If your home’s assessment rose near the town average (about 61%), your tax bill would increase roughly 11%, even with the lower mill rate. That’s 1.61 times 13.02, divided by 18.86.
Location matters.
These are just averages, but according to town assessor Paul Friia, as reported in Westport Journal:
North of I-95, home values rose about 66% on average.
South of I-95, values rose 57%.
Your actual increase depends on how much your assessment increased relative to the rest of the town.
Still unknown:
The final town budget is not set. Appeals could also change the Grand List. Those 2 factors will determine where the mill rate ultimately lands — and how much we will pay.
(This may not be the best story to follow with this request, but: If you enjoy “06880”‘s hyper-local coverage — including budgets and taxes — please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Sharp-eyed viewers of yesterday’s Winter Olympics opening ceremony may have spotted former Staples High School cross country coach Larry Sidney marching with Israel’s athletes.
But there is much more to the story than meets the eye.
Larry Sidney (left), at the 2026 Olympics opening ceremony.
After leaving Westport, Larry moved overseas. He was a dual athlete, competing in skeleton from 2014-18, and curling from 2018 on.
In 2024 — at 46 years old — he qualified for this year’s Olympics.
Then he was diagnosed with cancer. Almost exactly a year ago today, his right leg was amputated below the knee.
But there Larry was yesterday, walking proudly as an Olympic administration for his country.
Professionally, he’s a holistic financial advisor. He graduated from the University of Connecticut, then earned an MBA at the University of California-Berkeley.
Click here or below for an inspirational 2024 TEDx talk by Larry, on the power of pursuing audacious dreams. (Hat tip: Richard Fogel)
The Board of Selectpersons has a full agenda for its Wednesday meeting (February 11, 9 a.m., Town Hall auditorium; click here for the livestream).
Among the 17 items:
♦ Approving policy changes recommended by the Parks & Recreation Commission, including”
— Change of dry stall first launch date from May 1 to April 1.
— To allow the sale of alcoholic beverages, with the exception of THC products, at the Longshore golf course by approved vendors only.
— To continue to offer, and add 1 additional, firepit rentals on South Beach at Compo Beach.
— To require parking emblems at Canal Beach from May 1 to September 30.
— Fee increases, for golf cart rentals (9 holes, to $15 from $14, 18 holes $22 from $20; Camp Compo resident $325 from $265, non-resident $350 from $285; RECinc Crew resident $400 from $315, non-resident $425 from $335).
♦ Appointing 2 alternate members to the Board of Assessment Appeals: Thomas Bloch and Robert Bass.
♦ Approving contracts for work at the Imperial Avenue lot, an for the replacement of the Levitt Pavilion stage.
The Select Board is expected to approve replacement of the Levitt Pavilion stage. The Tedeschi Trucks Band was one of many acts to play there last year. (Photo copyright DinkinESH Fotografix)
Screen time — and how to navigate it safely –– is all over the news.
It’s one thing for youngsters to hear strategies from parents and teachers. It’s another — much more important — thing to learn from almost-peers.
Recently, 6th graders at Coleytown and Bedford Middle Schools took part in iMentor. The initiative is facilitated by the Westport Youth Commission, using trained Staples High student mentors.
The high schoolers lead engaging, age-appropriate discussions that encourage middle schoolers to think critically about their online behavior and digital decision-making.
The interactive topics include civility and kindness, digital footprints, safety risks, identifying trustworthy sites and managing screen time.
iMentors also emphasize the importance of speaking with a parent or other trusted adult about anything concerning online.
iMentors in action, at Coleytown Middle School.
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The next generation of business leaders took over the Westport Library on Thursday.
The first-ever Mini Moguls Marketplace youth business fair drew (very) young vendors in grades 5–8, and plenty of shoppers.
Founded and organized by Staples High School junior Aanya Gandhi, it featured over a dozen student businesses, ranging from handmade crafts to collections of gently used books and games.
Each “mini mogul” offered a poster board, outlining pricing strategies and marketing plans.
A financial literacy keynote presentation emphasized the benefits of understanding money management at a young age.
Long Lots Elementary School students Leo Rubin and Luke Capolupo made their first necklace sale to superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice. (Photo/Phil Rubin)
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11 Beachside Commons — the 1970s contemporary home with 5 bedrooms, 7 1/2 bathrooms, a floating staircase, periscope skylights, rainbow glazing purple carpet and a 150-foot multicolored tile pathway that “meanders” through the house, and which was the home of the late biotech entrepreneur/investor/ scientist Alan Walton and his wife Elenor — will be demolished soon.
An estate sale is set for today and tomorrow (Saturday and Sunday), from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
It’s a chance to buy some very interesting items.
And to see one of Westport’s most stunning homes, before it meets the wrecking ball.
Inside 11 Beachside Commons. (Hat tip and photo/Cindy Nigro)
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Chryse Terrill was “buzzing” with excitement during a recent visit to Caroline House in Bridgeport.
The Wakeman Town Farm educator brought a lesson on bees. The preschoolers were eager to learn about their lifecycles, honeycombs, and the importance of bees as pollinators. They also loved the honey from WTF’s hives.
The program is part of Wakeman’s new “Farm on the Go” initiative. It expands equitable access to nature-based education for children facing financial, transportation or other barriers.
With a grant from Town Fair Tire and the motto “Grow Your Food, Know Your Food,” the initiative helps students understand where their food comes from, how natural systems work, and why environmental stewardship matters throughproject-based learning delivered by WTF educators.
To suggest a school that would benefit from the “Farm on the Go” program, email info@wakemantownfarm.org.
Exploring a honeycomb, through WTF’s “Farm on the Go.”
As the new year begins, many people make “wish lists” for the coming 12 months.
(Others wish they had the time or energy to do so.)
Realtors are no different than you or me.
I asked the crack staff at KMS Team at Compass what they wished their clients would do. They said:
Home buyers
Speak with a mortgage broker, and get pre-approved for a purchase.
Select a trusted buyer agent, who has strong local knowledge and relationships to represent you.
If you plan to purchase with cash, have a “proof of funds” letter ready to go from a trusted advisor or investment counselor.
Evaluate your situation. Be clear about top priorities. and realistic goals and needs. Understand where you might have flexibility, or be willing to shift gears to break into this competitive market.
For some people, living directly on the water is non-negotiable. Others may be more flexible. (Photo/Jimmy Izzo)
Explore town websites. Speak to friends and acquaintances who already live and/or work in the area. What insider tips can they provide?
Spend a day exploring the town(s) you are thinking about. Drive through shopping areas and downtowns. Grab a coffee or drink. Eat there. Take a hike, walk the beach, visit the library, use a school playground, see what you think. How does it feel?
Start going to open houses. Familiarize yourself with the inventory. See how homes are presented and priced. Photographs are one thing; visiting the space, and walking though it, is another.
Ask your partner or agent team about private exclusives or pocket listings that have not yet been listed publicly.
Home owners
Tackle your maintenance to-do lists. Ordinary seasonal cleaning and repairs should never be left to the last minute.
Even if you are not thinking of listing in the short term, make the improvements now with a team you know. That includes:
Refinish floors
Update a kitchen or bathroom if needed (“new” is considered within the last 5-7 years)
Neutralize paint colors. to clean the palette and presentation
Have your roof evaluated. Replace poor shingles or repair entirely, if necessary. This is a particular sticking point for insurance carriers today.
Have your attic and basement evaluated for mold and mildew.
Remove dead trees, branches or tired landscaping for a cleaner presentation; less is more. Consider maintenance-free options and evergreens that provide greenery and privacy year-round.
Dead trees can cause big damage. (Photo/David Pogue)
Evaluate your curb appeal. Does the driveway need resealing or repaving? How does the garage — especially if detached — complement the house? Are the garage doors in good shape, and work well?
Most importantly: Make needed improvements so you can enjoy them before you sell.
Home sellers
Declutter, declutter, declutter!
If you need help to get motivated or sorted out, hire an organizer..
Clean and purge all closets. Buyers will want to see space for their family to move into.
Pack things up now. You’ll have to move things eventually, so pack it up, donate it, and/or sell it!
Get a home inspection before listing. Address problems you may not know about.
Service mechanicals if they have not been examined within 12 months of listing.
Clean up the yard. Plant bulbs in the fall, flowers in spring.
Flowers add to curb appeal. (Photo/Patricia McMahon)
Wash windows, inside and out.
Clean gutters; make sure all downspouts are operational.
Fresh paint is the quickest refresh for the least amount of money
Hardwood floors in pristine condition are like gold. Show them off!
Hire a handyman to address annoying items that need fixing.
Paint the front door — first impressions are very important. Plant flowers, or put planters at the front door.
Take photos in the fall, if you plan to list during the winter or early spring.
Swap out old light fixtures to make the house look more current, with updated styles. These do not have to be very expensive fixtures.
January was Radon Action Month. Did you have your house tested? Connecticut requires a reading of 4.0 or less.
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