Seller's Guide
Sell your home for top dollar with expert pricing, staging, and digital marketing across 25+ local towns.
Quick Answer
Selling a home in Massachusetts runs from an offer to a purchase and sale agreement and an attorney-handled closing. The seller pays a deed excise of $4.56 per $1,000 of the price and needs a smoke and carbon monoxide alarm certificate. Homes with septic systems need a Title 5 inspection. Homes built before 1978 need a lead paint notification.
Reviewed by Jessica Shauffer, Massachusetts real estate license #9554769 · Updated
| Deed excise tax | $2.28 per $500 of the sale price ($4.56 per $1,000), paid by the person who signs the deed |
|---|---|
| Smoke and CO alarm certificate | Required from the local fire department. Inspection fee capped at $50 for a single-family home. |
| Title 5 septic inspection | Required within 2 years before a sale. Valid for 3 years with annual pumping records. |
| Failed septic system | Must be upgraded within 2 years unless the Board of Health or MassDEP approves another schedule |
| Lead paint notification | Homes built before 1978: buyer gets the notification before signing a purchase and sale agreement |
| Home inspection rule | Sellers cannot require an inspection waiver, for contracts signed after Oct. 15, 2025 |
Regional Advantage
Inventory remains tight across the South Shore and MetroWest. Here is why it is a great time to list your property.
Market Performance
Homes across our 25 target communities consistently sell at or above asking price. Track the regional trends below.
Source: Redfin Data Center (All Residential), quarterly averages — data through May 2026.
The Process
From pricing strategy to closing, Jessica manages every detail to maximize your sale price and minimize your stress.
A complimentary, comprehensive market analysis to determine the optimal listing price for your specific town and neighborhood.
Expert guidance on high-ROI improvements, professional staging advice, and HDR photography to showcase your home's best features.
Multi-platform marketing leveraging the Coldwell Banker network, targeted social ads, and Jessica's extensive buyer database.
Professionally managed showings with rigorous feedback tracking and real-time updates on buyer interest.
Tenacious negotiation for the best price and terms, plus full support through inspection, appraisal, and the closing table.
What You Get
Professional HDR photos, virtual tours, and floor plans that make your home stand out online where 95% of buyers start their search.
As part of Coldwell Banker Presidents Circle, your listing gets syndicated globally, reaching buyers relocating to Massachusetts.
Sophisticated social media campaigns targeting active buyers looking in your specific town and price point.
Hyper-local pricing strategies that generate competition, urgency, and multiple offer scenarios.
Current Market
See current listings and recent client success stories from across Eastern Massachusetts.
For Sale$1,725,000
Easton, MA 02356
For Sale$679,000
Canton, MA 02021
For Sale$674,999
Wayland, MA 01778
For Sale$640,000
Randolph, MA 02368
For Sale$639,900
Randolph, MA 02368
For Sale$594,999
Plainville, MA 02762
Seller Services
Downsizing, moving up, settling an estate or relocating each change the plan. These pages go deeper.
Thoughtful downsizing support for South Shore MA empty nesters ready to sell the family home and start a new chapter.
Expert guidance for South Shore MA move-up buyers ready to sell their current home and purchase the next one seamlessly.
Sensitive, strategic divorce and estate home sales across the South Shore MA. Discreet guidance from Jessica Shauffer.
Explore the South Shore's finest luxury homes with Jessica Shauffer—your trusted expert in high-end Massachusetts real estate.
Discover high-performing multi-family homes in Massachusetts with South Shore investment expert Jessica Shauffer.
Relocating to Massachusetts? Jessica Shauffer offers expert South Shore relocation services tailored to your family's needs.
See what Jessica and the Weinstein Keach team have sold: browse past sales or read client reviews.
Common Questions
The seller. The deed excise tax in Massachusetts is paid by the person who makes or signs the deed, and payment is shown by stamps affixed to the deed. The Department of Revenue lists the rate as $2.28 per $500 of the sale price, less any mortgage the buyer assumes. That equals $4.56 per $1,000, or $2,280 on a $500,000 sale.
What's Your Home Worth?
Get a free, no-obligation home valuation based on current market conditions and comparable sales in your town. Jessica will prepare a detailed analysis within 24 hours.
