Connecticut is experiencing a real estate market of superlatives. I use a program called HomeFeedback.  It's a simple tool that provides sellers with showing feedback via email.  The agent who shows the home is asked to fill out an online form which is delivered to the seller. In addition to other questions, agents are asked to rate the interior and the exterior of the property. One of the choices is "average". In a market with excess inventory, buyers can be choosy: they don't need to settle for "average".  They can and will buy great, outstanding, mint or perfect. Buyers will even pay full price for perfect condition. 

Yes, there are homes selling for full price. In fact, I had two closings last week where the buyers paid full price for the privilege of owning a home in condition much better than "average". The first was a raised ranch in Preston which closed at $295,000. "Perfect" was the best way to describe its interior.  It showed like a model home and was nicely decorated and shiny clean.  The buyer could move in and enjoy it with no maintenance required.  The second was a raised ranch in Gales Ferry which closed at its asking price of $248,000.  This one wasn't perfect but it was outstanding because, although it was dated, it had been lovingly kept inside and out. The young buyers will be moving in and making upgrades but in the meantime they have a nice clean home to live in with no maintenance issues to worry about.  The home in Preston sold within 7 days; the sellers in Gales Ferry found a buyer in 21 days. 

If you are thinking of putting your home on the market, "average" just isn't good enough. Houses in average condition stay on the market longer and sell for less.