How to Sell Without a Realtor in Massachusetts

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By Michael Yessis Updated October 22, 2024
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Edited by Ashley Simon

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The average listing agent fee in Massachusetts is 2.44%.[10] If you sell your house without a real estate agent — also known as selling for sale by owner (FSBO) — you can avoid this fee and save thousands.

But selling your house without a realtor doesn't guarantee savings. FSBO homes typically sell for about 23% less than homes sold with a realtor's help.[11] That's a difference of roughly $148,511 on a house that sells for the median sale price in Massachusetts.

You may save time and pocket more profit by working with a realtor who can sell your home for top dollar.

💰 Sell for more and save on fees while still getting the support of a full-service realtor. Fill out this form to get matched with local agents who charge a 1.5% listing fee. It's free to see how much you can save.

Selling your house without a realtor could be a good way to save money if you meet the following criteria:

  • You're an experienced home seller. You have the disposition and expertise to handle the complexity of the home-selling process.
  • You're willing to dedicate a lot of time and effort. You'll need to do everything from setting the price and marketing your home to coordinating viewings and reviewing offers. It takes an average of 72 days to complete a sale in Massachusetts.
  • You've got a buyer lined up. Only 7% of homes sell without a realtor, but 57% of those home sellers already know their buyers.[1]
  • Your home is in a hot market. Your chances of selling for list price or above are better when buyers outnumber sellers and prices are rising.

Selling without a realtor isn’t worth the risks for most sellers, however, for the following reasons:

  • It's financially risky. FSBO homes typically sell for about 23% less than those listed with agents. That far outweighs the 2.44% listing fee you save selling alone.[2] Also, if you want your home listed on the MLS, you'll have to pay between $400–$1,500 to a Massachusetts flat fee MLS company.
  • It's legally risky. 36% of recent FSBO home sellers said they made legal mistakes because they didn't use a real estate agent.[3]
  • It's a detailed, time-consuming process. Most people don't have the real estate knowledge or negotiation skills to manage a home sale. It takes a long time to research the listing price of your home, market it to buyers, review offers, and complete the detailed paperwork.

How to sell a house without a realtor in Massachusetts 

Key takeaways for Massachusetts FSBO sellers

  • You should list your home on the multiple listing service (MLS). Almost all buyers will find your home via the MLS, a realtor-operated database for homes. To list your home on your local MLS, you'll need to hire a Massachusetts flat fee MLS company, which costs $400–$1,500.
  • You must hire an attorney to sell FSBO in Massachusetts, according to state law. It will cost around $147-$366 per hour.
  • You don't need to disclose most issues with your house. Massachusetts is a buyer-beware state. Potential buyers have to do their due diligence before purchasing your home. However, you have some obligations. Learn more about seller disclosure requirements in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts sellers should follow the advice and actions laid out in these seven steps:

Step 1: Make any necessary repairs

When it comes to repairs, find the line between necessary and unnecessary projects for your house.

"If your kitchen is a disaster, spending more money on a remodel to get it in solid condition will pay off in the end," says Clever Real Estate co-founder and real estate investor Ben Mizes, who has experience listing homes without a real estate agent. "But spending money on high-end features to take it from good to extravagant will be a waste."

Consider how valuable specific repairs are to buyers in your part of Massachusetts. Focus on upgrades that earn back the highest percentage of costs.  

Here are some home repairs with the highest resale value:[4]

Home repair Average cost Average resale value Percent of costs recouped
Garage door replacement $4,365 $13,738 315%
Entry door replacement (steel) $2,426 $5,730 236%
Manufactured stone veneer $12,390 $18,794 152%
Siding replacement (fiber cement) $21,654 $25,608 118%
Siding replacement (vinyl) $18,714 $21,680 116%

You should also address issues buyers consider deal breakers. Below are the top-three concerns for buyers in Massachusetts, along with advice on how to fix them.

  • Unsafe neighborhood: What makes a neighborhood unsafe or "bad" is subjective. If you suspect your neighborhood may scare off potential buyers, improving the home's curb appeal can help. Keep up your yard, for instance. Create a privacy screen with plants or a fence. In the end, you may find it easier to sell a house in a bad neighborhood by hiring a real estate agent.
  • Foundation issues: You'll likely have more success selling a house with foundation issues by repairing the foundation before selling. You should also disclose any foundation issues to avoid legal trouble.
  • Leaky roof: Replace your roof before selling if you know it leaks. A new roof can improve your home's value, paying for itself by increasing your home's curb appeal and turning a problematic disclosure ("leaky roof") into a selling point ("new roof").

Step 2: Set a price for your home

When you work with a real estate agent, they provide a comparative market analysis​​ (CMA) to determine the right asking price. A CMA estimates a home's value by comparing the recent sale prices of similar properties located nearby.

As a FSBO seller, you have to set a price on your own. You have a few options:

Ask a real estate agent to perform a CMA. Many agents will do this for free in the hopes of gaining your business. We don't recommend asking for a CMA if you're planning to mislead an agent into thinking you need their services. If you're open to using an agent, though, asking for a CMA will allow you to weigh the costs and benefits of hiring an agent, and it will give you the peace of mind to know you’ve evaluated all the options.

🔑 You should know: People who sell their home without a realtor are prone to underpricing. A 2023 study found that FSBO homes can sell for about 23% less than those listed with licensed real estate agents — meaning these sellers lost out on money even after saving on agent fees.[12]

If you're concerned about underpricing your home, we can help. Answer five simple questions to find top agents near you and get a professional pricing consultation. It's free, and there's no obligation to sign.

Use a Massachusetts flat fee MLS company that offers a CMA report and pricing help from a licensed local agent as an add-on service.

Get a broker price opinion (BPO). A BPO is a home valuation report provided by a licensed real estate professional who will determine your home's estimated value based mainly on its condition and the recent sales prices of similar homes in the area. BPOs cost $150–250.

Get a pre-listing appraisal, which can provide an accurate starting point for pricing your home. In Massachusetts, appraisals cost $86–$478.

Search ​​Zillow or a similar real estate website for active local listings priced within a range of what you think your house is worth. Then compare your home’s features to the competition.

For example, if you live in Boston and think your house is worth about $689,653, search Zillow for active listings about $50,000 more and less than that. Analyze details about the houses and how they compare to yours. Ask yourself:

  • Does the house have the same number of bedrooms and bathrooms?
  • Has the house been renovated more recently than yours?
  • How do the neighborhoods and nearby amenities compare?
  • Is the school district better or worse?

These statewide pricing metrics can help you hone the listing price for your Massachusetts home.

  • Median Massachusetts home value[5]: $623,131
  • Median listing price in Massachusetts[6]: $769,500
  • Listing price per sqft[7]: $425
  • Percent of homes where seller reduced the price[8]: 28%

Home values vary by location. These are the current median home values in several large metro areas in Massachusetts:[9]

  • Boston: $689,653
  • Worcester: $452,956
  • Springfield: $350,546
  • Barnstable Town: $725,722
  • Pittsfield: $369,400

Step 3: Create a listing for your home

​​Photographs and text that speaks to local buyers are the two most important elements of your listing.

Take professional-level photographs of your staged home to showcase its best features. Consider hiring a professional real estate photographer, which costs an average of $168 per session in Massachusetts.

When writing a listing, focus on information buyers can only get from the homeowner or a neighborhood local. Consider addressing these questions in your listing:

  • What notable views do you have from your house? 
  • Is the neighborhood friendly? 
  • Is the street safe for kids? 
  • Do you live in an area with great schools? How about restaurants?

We recommend you offer a 2–3% concession to your buyer to help them cover the cost of their real estate agent. It's not required, but it's good practice.

As of August 2024, following a lawsuit against the National Association of Realtors, buyers and sellers must negotiate their fees directly with their agents.

However, most buyers still expect sellers to cover the cost of their agent through a seller concession. Sellers that don't offer a concession increase the amount of cash that a buyer needs to bring to the closing table, which could limit your pool of potential buyers.

Also, not offering a concession might make your house much harder to sell if sellers of similar homes in your area are offering a concession.

Step 4: List your home for sale

The best place to list your Massachusetts home is on your local multiple listing service (MLS), a private database created and maintained by real estate brokers to facilitate home buying and selling.

MLS listings populate real estate websites like Realtor.com and Zillow, increasing your home's online presence. If you don't list on the Massachusetts MLS, you'll dramatically decrease your chances of finding a buyer. Overall, 51% of buyers found the homes they purchased online.[13]

However, you'll need to use a Massachusetts flat fee MLS company to get your home listed on your local MLS, as only real estate agents can list on the MLS.

Flat fee MLS companies in Massachusetts, which are run by local agents and brokers, charge $400–$1,500, depending on the level of plan you purchase. Many companies also offer extra services for a cost, like professional photography for your listing or pricing help.

    • For sale by owner websites in Massachusetts: Several well-established for sale by owner sites cater to people selling and buying FSBO homes.

    • Trulia and Zillow. Both real estate sites allow FSBO sellers to post listings free of charge in the FSBO section of their sites.

    • Social media: Post your listing to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Nextdoor. Sharing is free, and you can reach a lot of people where they’re already spending time.

You can also use a FSBO yard sign to market your Massachusetts home. You can buy a FSBO sign from most hardware stores or online for $2–75. Choose one that allows you to add your phone number so interested buyers can contact you for property information and showings.

Step 5: Show your home to potential buyers

A Clever survey found that 32% recent home sellers think getting their house ready to show is the most common challenge of selling on their own.[14] Focus on four key strategies when you show your Massachusetts house to potential buyers.

  • Be organized. Develop a system for scheduling open houses and showings, and saving buyers' and agents’ contact information. Calendly, Mixmax, and Trafft are among the best-rated scheduling apps. 
  • Be flexible. Show your house at buyers’ convenience, not at your convenience.
  • Be clean. Keep your home spotless. You don't want to scramble around with a vacuum after a buyer calls for a last-minute showing.
  • Be homey. Add little touches that speak to most people, which can help make a great first impression. "Bake cookies or light scented candles before a showing," says Mizes. "Smell plays a huge part in how buyers will perceive and remember your house. Use comforting scents to your advantage so they feel at home the moment they walk through the door."

Step 6: Negotiate with potential buyers

First, ask to see a mortgage pre-approval letter. Accepting an offer from an unqualified buyer may cause your sale to fall through.

You and the buyer's agent (or the buyer, if they don't have a real estate agent) will then negotiate the final sale price. You'll also negotiate other issues, including contract contingencies, closing costs, and the timeline for the sale.

You can improve your negotiating position by educating yourself about these topics, your local real estate market, and what's important to buyers in your part of Massachusetts.

If a potential buyer won't negotiate, and their offer doesn't meet your expectations, decline the offer. 

Offering seller concessions

You can sweeten the deal for potential buyers by offering seller concessions to help offset the costs of buying a home. Seller concessions might cost you a little more at closing, but they can lead to a higher final sale price and a quicker sale.

Consider offering these common seller concessions in Massachusetts: 

  • Buyer's agent compensation: Because of a settlement of a lawsuit against the National Association of Realtors, sellers aren't required to cover a buyer's agent commission. However, buyers may expect a concession of 2–3% to help them cover the cost of their real estate agent.
  • Repair credits: Credit the buyer a set amount of money to cover the cost of home repairs. Once the deal closes, the buyer can oversee the project and you don't have to worry about repairs going over budget.
  • Home warranty: Give buyers peace of mind if your home has major appliances or systems on their last leg. A warranty will cover possible issues and is typically less expensive than paying for the repairs (or accepting a lower offer from a wary buyer).

Step 7: Close your sale

Expect to pay about 3.09% of your home's final sale price in closing costs. For a $623,131 home — the median sales price in Massachusetts — that comes to around $19,235.

In Massachusetts, you must use a real estate attorney to draft and prepare all legal documents, certify the title, and facilitate closing. Attorneys in Massachusetts cost $147-$366 per hour.

Find Massachusetts lawyers near you by searching the Massachusetts Bar Association or FindLaw.

A Massachusetts flat fee MLS company might also offer closing assistance from an agent for an added cost.

Paperwork for selling a house by owner in Massachusetts

Massachusetts requires those selling FSBO to fill out and file many documents and forms. Several of these documents are legally binding agreements. 

The paperwork below is generally required for all Massachusetts real estate sales.

  • 2 forms of ID. In most cases, a valid passport, driver's license, or other form of Massachusetts-issued ID.
  • Copy of purchase and sale agreement. Plus any addendums.
  • Closing statement. A detailed list of all the costs associated with the sale and who pays them. Your escrow agent or title company usually prepares this statement.
  • Signed deed. You'll need the deed that proves you're the rightful owner to legally transfer your property. On your closing date, you'll sign the deed over to the buyer.
  • Bill of sale. Essentially a receipt that includes your information and the buyer's. It will also list the final sales price of the home and what was included in the sale.
  • Affidavit of title. A notarized document that states you own the home, that there are no liens on the property, that you aren't simultaneously selling the home to someone else, and other information.

🚨 36% of recent FSBO home sellers say they made legal mistakes because they didn't have a real estate agent.[15] In a typical real estate transaction, your agent would guide you through all the paperwork. To avoid an expensive mistake, consider working with a top-ranked low-commission realtor instead.

Where to find paperwork for selling in Massachusetts

If you're using a real estate attorney, they'll generally supply the paperwork. Otherwise, try the following sources:

  • Check with the Massachusetts Association of Realtors. State realtor associations sometimes offer blank contracts and forms for you to use.
  • Find free downloadable forms through LawDepot or eForms
  • Use a service like US Legal, which combines the most popular state-specific real estate forms into a package that FSBO sellers can purchase by subscription for a monthly fee of $39–59. 
  • Use a flat fee MLS company in Massachusetts that offers plans with paperwork support or as an add-on for an additional fee.

For tax records, property surveys, and deeds, check the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.

Massachusetts is a "buyer beware" state.

You don't have to disclose most problems with the house. It's up to the buyer to do their due diligence before purchasing your home.

If you withhold information from the buyer about problems with the home, though, you could be committing fraud. Check with a real estate attorney about your obligations, or consider working with a top-ranked low-commission realtor who can guide you through your sale and still save you money.

» MORE: Disclosure Requirements for Selling Massachusetts Real Estate (2024)

  • Loan payoff information. If you have a mortgage on your home, you'll need documentation of how much you still owe and any payoff fees. If you've already paid your mortgage in full, you'll need documented proof.
  • HOA forms and guidelines. If your home is part of an HOA, you'll need to give the buyer documentation on the HOA's covenants, codes, and restrictions; financial history; required fees; approval process; and more.
  • Survey results or survey affidavits. A survey (or an affidavit verifying a previous survey) confirms the property lines.
  • Home inspection results. If you had a pre-sale inspection, you'll want the results to compare to the buyer's inspection. If having a buyer inspection was part of the sale agreement, you should receive a copy of the results before closing.
  • Home warranty information. The home warranty service agreement will explain what's covered and for how long, and the costs associated with the policy.
  • Proof of repairs or renovations. Documentation proving any major repairs or changes to the house help verify its value. These receipts tell the buyer who to contact if they discover issues with the repairs in the future.
  • Copies of relevant wills, trusts, or power of attorney letters. If you're selling an inherited property, you'll need copies of all the legal documents that passed ownership to you.
  • Relevant affidavits. You may need additional affidavits like a name affidavit (which lists all of your or the buyer's previous names) or an affidavit proving you aren't a foreign citizen and therefore exempt from certain property sales taxes.
  • Closing disclosure. If your buyer is taking out a mortgage and you agreed to certain seller's concessions, you may need a copy of their closing disclosure to verify the lender approved your concessions.
  • Correction statement and agreement. If someone loses forms or discovers errors in the future, a correction statement and agreement requires you, the buyer, or their lender to replace or fix those documents, if need be.

Pros and cons of selling a house by owner in Massachusetts

✅ Pros

  • You can potentially save an average of 2.44%, or $15,313,[16] because you won't have to pay a listing agent's real estate commission.
  • You'll control the selling process. If you have the disposition and experience to handle details, you'll appreciate this level of involvement.
  • You're likely to have success selling FSBO in Massachusetts if you live in a hot local real estate market or have a buyer lined up. While only 7% of homes sell without a realtor, 57% of those home sellers already know their buyer.[17]

❌ Cons

  • While you no longer have to pay a buyer's agent commission, which averages 2.03% of the sale price in Massachusetts, you'll still likely pay a 2-3% seller concession to help buyers cover the cost of hiring a real estate agent.
  • Your house will likely sell for less than if you had an agent handle your sale. FSBO homes typically sell for about 23% less than those listed with agents.[18]
  • You'll face legal risks. In a Clever survey, 36% of recent FSBO home sellers said they made legal mistakes because they didn't use a real estate agent.[19]
  • You'll control the selling process, which generally isn't good for inexperienced sellers. FSBO paperwork can be difficult and overwhelming.

How much can I save selling without a realtor?

Massachusetts FSBO sellers typically save an average of $15,313 by not paying a listing agent realtor commission.[20] 

FSBO sellers in the state can save up to $28,054 on total realtor commission if they also don't pay the buyer's agent commission.[21] 

These realtor commission savings figures are based on a $623,131 home — the median home value in Massachusetts — and an average listing agent commission of 2.44%[22]  and an average buyer’s agent commission of 2.03%.[23]

FSBO savings calculator

Insert your estimated home sale price and the average listing agent and buyer's agent commission into the calculator below to determine your potential savings.

FSBO alternatives 

Consider these alternatives to selling your home by owner in Massachusetts.

Discount real estate services in Massachusetts

Discount real estate companies will help you sell your Massachusetts house for less than a traditional realtor. In most cases, you should still consider offering a 2–3% seller concession, but you'll save money on listing fees.

iBuyers in Massachusetts

iBuyers purchase homes for cash at a slight discount, then resell them on the open market. By selling to an iBuyer, you'll avoid realtor fees. Most iBuyers charge sellers a service fee of 5–13%, however. They'll also deduct the cost of any required repairs after an on-site visit. 

Cash home buyers in Massachusetts

Cash home buyers in Massachusetts typically buy houses in poor condition or from sellers who need to sell their house fast. Often, you won't get the fair market value from cash home buyers that many sellers get using an experienced real estate agent. 

💰 Sell for more than you'd get alone

For sale by owner homes sell for about 23% less than homes sold with a realtor's help. That's a difference of about $95,000 on a house with a median sale price in the U.S. 

Enter your zip code to talk to a top Clever agent, who can help you maximize the profits from your home sale. It's free, and you have no obligation to commit.

Why you can trust us

Our team conducted in-depth research on selling without a realtor in Massachusetts. Our research involved:

  • Surveys of more than 1,000 home sellers, including for sale by owner (FSBO) sellers and those who considered selling FSBO but eventually sold with an agent
  • Surveys and interviews of Massachusetts real estate agents for on-the-ground insights into the home-selling process
  • Analyses of 14 Massachusetts flat fee MLS companies, as well as publicly available data on pricing, plan services, and customer reviews
  • Original research from other trusted sources, such as the National Association of Realtors

As our primary sources update, we refresh the data in our series accordingly.

About Clever Real Estate

Clever strives to provide its readers with the most up-to-date, accurate, and useful information. We’ve earned buyers’ trust with a 5-out-of-5-star rating on Trustpilot and more than 3,000 customer reviews.

Our team of industry-leading researchers is committed to making home selling more transparent by educating sellers through guides like this one.

Learn more about why you can trust our articles.

Additional resources for Massachusetts home sellers 

Article Sources

[1] NAR – "NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers". Updated July 17, 2024.
[2] NAR – "NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers". Updated July 17, 2024.
[3] Home-Selling Trends: Successes and Struggles Heading Into 2024 – "A survey of 1,000 American home sellers". Updated November 27, 2023.
[5] Zillow – "Zillow.com housing data". Updated October 31, 2024.
[6] Realtor.com Data Library – "Data from the National Association of Realtors, provided through Realtor.com". Updated October 1, 2024.
[7] Realtor.com Data Library – "Data from the National Association of Realtors, provided through Realtor.com". Updated October 1, 2024.
[8] Realtor.com Data Library – "Data from the National Association of Realtors, provided through Realtor.com". Updated October 1, 2024.
[9] Zillow – "Zillow.com housing data". Updated October 31, 2024.
[10] Average Real Estate Commission in Massachusetts – "Average real estate commission data". Updated January 1, 2024.
[11] NAR – "NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers". Updated July 17, 2024.
[12] NAR – "NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers". Updated July 17, 2024.
[13] NAR – "NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers". Updated July 17, 2024.
[14] Home-Selling Trends: Successes and Struggles Heading Into 2024 – "A survey of 1,000 American home sellers". Updated November 27, 2023.
[15] Home-Selling Trends: Successes and Struggles Heading Into 2024 – "A survey of 1,000 American home sellers". Updated November 27, 2023.
[16] Average Real Estate Commission in Massachusetts – "Average real estate commission data". Updated January 1, 2024.
[17] NAR – "NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers". Updated July 17, 2024.
[18] NAR – "NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers". Updated July 17, 2024.
[19] Home-Selling Trends: Successes and Struggles Heading Into 2024 – "A survey of 1,000 American home sellers". Updated November 27, 2023.
[20] Average Real Estate Commission in Massachusetts – "Average real estate commission data". Updated January 1, 2024.
[21] Average Real Estate Commission in Massachusetts – "Average real estate commission data". Updated January 1, 2024.
[22] Average Real Estate Commission in Massachusetts – "Average real estate commission data". Updated January 1, 2024.
[23] Average Real Estate Commission in Massachusetts – "Average real estate commission data". Updated January 1, 2024.

Authors & Editorial History

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