How to Sell a House By Owner in Massachusetts (2025 Update)

Selling your Massachusetts house For Sale By Owner (FSBO) can save you thousands in real estate agent commissions. Not only that, 77% of FSBO homes sold in just two weeks, faster than the 23-day average in the Bay State.

And selling your home FSBO is now easier than ever! High-tech For Sale By Owner websites in Massachusetts will help you list on MLS within 24 hours. And when you sell, you’ll pocket an average of $18,000 in additional savings on an average Massachusetts home!

How to Sell a House By Owner in Massachusetts in 6 Steps?

Every year Massachusetts welcomes out-of-state buyers flocking to the Bay State looking for jobs and education in healthcare and technology sectors.

Here’s how to capitalize on this demand and sell your house by owner in Massachusetts in 6 simple steps:

Step 1: Price Your Home Competitively

Massachusetts is currently favoring sellers, with 46.3% of homes selling above list price. This has resulted in more competitive offers and fewer days on the market for many homes.

In cities like Nantucket and Boston, you can even price your home up to 10% more because of strong demand and limited supply. On the other hand, if you’re in flood-prone regions like Springfield or Pittsfield, price your home lower than the FMV to attract more offers.

Step 2: Make Your Home Market-Ready

With a strong economy and high paying jobs, more people are moving to Massachusetts, looking for homes with great workspaces, outdoor areas, and places to unwind. You can attract these buyers if you stage your home. In fact, 58% of buyers say home staging influences their decision.

Here’s what you can do when learning how to sell your home by owner:

• Declutter and Depersonalize: Clean surfaces and remove personal items to help buyers envision themselves in the space. This makes the home feel more inviting and neutral.
• Improve Curb Appeal: Enhance curb appeal by keeping your outdoor areas well-maintained. In winter, ensure the driveways and walkways are clear of ice.
• Highlight Outdoor Living Spaces: Showcase features like screen patios, decks, or gardens to help sway buyers’ decisions.
• Opt for a Professional Home Stager: Hire professional home staging companies in Massachusetts. They will help you prep your house for listing photographs and walkthroughs.

Step 3: Increase Your Property’s Visibility

A major aspect of learning how to sell a house by owner in Massachusetts is figuring out how to boost your property’s visibility. Here’s what you must do:

• Hire a Pro Photographer: Homes photographed professionally sell 32% faster than the average home. Showcase features like coastal views or tropical landscaping to captivate buyers.
• Craft a Compelling Property Description: Use words like “coastal view,” or “historic neighborhood” when describing your home. Also, mention details like proximity to beaches and culturally significant sights such as The Boston Tea Party Museum.
• List on For Sale By Owner Websites: FSBO sites like Zillow and Craigslist can increase your home’s exposure to more buyers than just friends and family.
• Put a “For Sale” Yard Sign: Suburban and rural areas that see a lot of drive by traffic in Massachusetts make yard signs highly effective. 12% of sellers use yard signs to market their homes when selling FSBO.
• List on MLS: MLS is the most powerful tool in real estate. If you want to sell your home quickly and for top dollar, you need to list on MLS in Massachusetts.

Step 4: Organize Home Showings

Schedule showings for out-of-state buyers during the weekend afternoons. This helps you make the most of increased buyer activity while steering clear of the winter winds that can limit showings.

• Open Houses: 41% of homebuyers rely on information from open houses. Host these open houses between 11:00am to 2:00pm to ensure your home is admired in natural light.
• Showings Management Platforms: With tools like Houzeo Showings, buyers and buyer agents can easily select showing slots. For out-of-state buyers, use this tool to schedule virtual tours or live video showings.

Step 5: Review, Compare, and Negotiate Offers

Though you are selling a house without a Realtor, the basics of what to do when you get offers remain the same. Consider the following when evaluating offers:

• Cash Offers: Ensure you are getting a fair value for your property and not being low-balled.
• Buyer Financing: Make sure the buyer is preapproved for a mortgage and has financial backing.
• Contingencies: Look for inspection or appraisal contingencies. Massachusetts homes may need special evaluations for flood risks.
• Closing Costs: As a seller, you typically pay your own closing costs like escrow fees, HOA, etc. However, if you offer seller concessions, your home will appeal more to buyers

Step 6: Finalize the Sale Seamlessly

A real estate attorney can help you draft the paperwork for selling a house without a Realtor in Massachusetts to minimize legal risks. This includes title and closing documents. Typically, their fee ranges between $150 and $500 per hour.

How Much Do You Save By Selling Your Home By Owner?

The entire 3% listing agent fee! That’s how much you save when selling a house by owner in Massachusetts.

To put that into perspective, let’s say, you’re selling a house priced at $630,200. Assuming you pay a 3% commission fee, you’ll have to shell out $18,906 to your listing agent. With Houzeo, you could reduce that cost significantly:

Details	Traditional Realtor (3%)	FSBO with Houzeo
Home Sale Price	$630,200	$630,200
Listing Price	$18,906	$429*
Savings	$0	($18,906 – $3,580) $15,326

» Read these exclusive Houzeo reviews now to learn more about how to sell a house by owner in Massachusetts and make an informed decision!

Pros and Cons of Selling a House Without a Realtor

More homeowners are choosing FSBO, with 26% of Boomers, 17% of Millennials, 23% of Gen Xers, and 6% of Silent Gen going this route. However, before you jump on the bandwagon, you must consider the pros and cons of FSBO:

✅ Pros

• Cost Savings: In Massachusetts, sellers typically pay 2.5% to 3% in listing fees. When you sell FSBO, you can eliminate the cost.
• Quick Sale: You can list your house yourself whenever you are ready. You need not hunt for a real estate agent to begin selling a house For Sale By Owner in Massachusetts. 77% of FSBO homes sell in less than 2 weeks.
• Full Control: As an independent Massachusetts home seller, you will interact with buyers directly. You will also control other aspects of selling by owner in Massachusetts, such as showings, negotiations, paperwork, etc.

❌ Cons

• Limited Assistance: Handling paperwork, inspections, and negotiations on your own can be overwhelming without the right support.
• Potential Hidden Costs: Several FSBO listing services with low upfront costs may have a high hidden fee at closing. Additionally, several FSBO sites like Craigslist are infamous for attracting unqualified buyers and scammers.

What Are the Common FSBO Mistakes to Avoid?

❌ Don’t Skip the MLS: MLS exposure is crucial so that your house is listed on over 100+ sites. Statistically, homes listed on the MLS sell faster and for 17.5% more.

❌ Don’t Over or Underprice Your Home: Overpricing in competitive Massachusetts markets like Boston or Nantucket can scare off buyers, while underpricing may result in leaving money on the table.

❌ Don’t Skip Professional Photography: Professionally shot homes sell 32% faster. So, skipping professional real estate photography will lead to lesser foot traffic and slower home sales.

❌ Don’t Miscalculate Closing Costs: An error when calculating your closing costs can affect how you plan for future expenses. A shortfall could impact your ability to secure your new home.

❌ Don’t Make Paperwork Mistakes: Errors in your paperwork, like flood zone disclosures or HOA details, could delay or cancel the sale.

Should You Sell a House By Owner in Massachusetts?

Yes! Selling your house by owner in Massachusetts can save you thousands in commissions. While buyers might not be actively looking now, there’s a chance your property could attract families looking for a perfect home.

Frequently Asked Questions