Selling a Home for the First Time in Boston
Selling a home in Massachusetts follows a set path: price and prepare the home, accept an offer, sign the Purchase and Sale Agreement (P&S), clear the buyer's inspection and mortgage contingencies, then close with the closing attorneys. Juan Murray walks first-time sellers through each step and the documents they need, starting with a net proceeds estimate.
Get my net proceeds estimateThe Massachusetts selling process, in order
- Estimate net proceeds and review pricing with recent comparable sales.
- Prepare the home: repairs, cleaning, staging decisions, photos.
- List the home and hold showings.
- Accept an offer. In Massachusetts the accepted offer is often a binding Offer to Purchase.
- The buyer completes the home inspection.
- Sign the P&S, drafted with the help of the closing attorneys. The home is now Under Agreement.
- The buyer's lender orders an appraisal and issues a mortgage commitment.
- Closing: the deed is signed, the mortgage is paid off and the seller receives the proceeds.
Documents and certificates sellers arrange
- Smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the local fire department, required before a sale (M.G.L. c. 148, § 26F).
- Lead paint notification for homes built before 1978 (M.G.L. c. 111, § 197A).
- 6(d) certificate from the condo association, for condos, confirming common charges are paid.
- Title 5 inspection, only for homes on a septic system.
- Mortgage payoff statement, requested by the closing attorney.
What it costs to sell
The main costs are the mortgage payoff, the commission set in the listing agreement, the Massachusetts deed excise tax at $4.56 per $1,000 of the sale price, the seller's closing attorney fee and the certificates above. Property taxes and other bills are split between seller and buyer as of the closing date.
The estimator below adds these up using the seller's own figures.
Common questions
What is the first step to selling my house in Massachusetts?
Start with a net proceeds estimate and a pricing review based on recent comparable sales. Knowing what the sale will net shapes every later decision, from repairs to timing.
Do I need a lawyer to sell a house in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts closings are handled by attorneys, and most sellers hire their own to review the P&S, prepare the deed and handle the payoff. Juan can share names of closing attorneys sellers have worked with.
What is the difference between an accepted offer and being Under Agreement?
The accepted offer, often a signed Offer to Purchase, comes first. Once the buyer's inspection is done and both parties sign the Purchase and Sale Agreement (P&S), the home is Under Agreement.
Sources
- M.G.L. c. 64D, deed excise tax
- M.G.L. c. 148, § 26F, smoke detector certificate at sale
- M.G.L. c. 111, § 197A, lead paint notification at sale
- M.G.L. c. 183A, § 6, condominium 6(d) certificate
This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Sellers should confirm details with their closing attorney and tax advisor.
Related reading
October 22, 2026
First-Time Sellers in Dorchester, Step by Step
A step-by-step guide for first-time sellers in Dorchester, from paperwork and pricing to offers and closing, with 12 months of local MLS sales data.
April 29, 2026
What Happens After You Accept an Offer in Massachusetts?
Accepted an offer in Massachusetts? What happens next, from the Offer to Purchase and inspection to the P&S, mortgage approval, and closing day.
September 30, 2026
What a Closing Attorney Actually Does for Greater Boston Sellers
Discover the essential role a closing attorney plays for sellers in Greater Boston, from contract review to deed excise tax calculation and closing.
Success stories
I had known Juan prior to retaining him as our agent and anticipated a comprehensive, well thought out, sales strategy that fit my and my wife's desires and goals. I was right. While I want to say it was our great preparation that made the process go so smoothly, I think the advice and hand-holding Juan provided and the behind-the-scenes work he did was what actually made our experience exactly what we had hoped for. He also had a great support team that advised us on staging the house and did minor maintenance and clean-up work.
Estimate your net proceeds
Enter the numbers you know. Leave blank anything you have not priced yet.
Estimated net proceeds
Your full line-item breakdown will be emailed with your consult confirmation.
This is an estimate for planning only, based on the numbers you entered. It is not a settlement statement, appraisal, or legal or tax advice. Actual proceeds depend on the final price, payoff figures, prorations and costs confirmed by the closing attorneys. All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently reviewed and verified.
Next step: review the real numbers with Juan
A pricing strategy consult starts from the figures above, checks them against recent closed sales, and turns them into a plan. No cost and no obligation.