Start with a free home valuation
Luis looks at recent sales of similar homes near you, your home's condition and what is on the market now. You get a price range and a plan, with no pressure to list. For a 2- or 3-family, he also looks at the current rents and leases.
Online estimates can be a starting point, but they cannot see inside your home. A local valuation does.
Massachusetts seller costs
- Deed excise tax: $2.28 per $500 of the sale price, or $4.56 per $1,000, in most counties. On a $700,000 sale, that is $3,192.
- Brokerage commission: negotiable, and agreed in writing before you list. Since August 17, 2024, offers of pay to buyer agents can no longer be posted on the MLS.
- Attorney fees for the deed and closing documents.
- Mortgage payoff and any liens.
- Final water and sewer reading and any adjustments for taxes paid ahead.
Paperwork you will need
- Smoke and carbon monoxide certificate: the local fire department inspects and issues a Certificate of Compliance. Book it once you have a closing date. See the state guide.
- Lead paint notice: if the home was built before 1978, give the buyer the Property Transfer Lead Paint Notification before signing the Purchase and Sale Agreement, along with any lead reports you have.
- Title 5: this septic inspection applies only to homes with a septic system. If your home is on city sewer, Title 5 does not apply. Confirm with your attorney.
- Tenant-occupied homes: gather leases and deposit records. Leases generally carry over to the new owner.
Your timeline, step by step
- Valuation and plan: price range, repairs worth doing, and a target date.
- Prepare: clean, repair, and take quality photos.
- List and show: your home goes on the MLS and out to buyers.
- Accept an offer: you sign the Offer to Purchase, then the Purchase and Sale Agreement.
- Buyer's inspection and loan: Luis keeps the deal on track.
- Close: the attorney records the deed and you get paid.
In September 2026, the median Massachusetts listing was on the market for 45 days. Your home's price and condition matter most.
Why sellers work with Luis
Luis Tejada has worked in Greater Boston real estate since 1994. He was a mortgage broker, so he can spot a weak buyer pre-approval early. He is a notary public with hundreds of loan signings, and clients give him 4.9 stars from 31 reviews on RealSatisfied.
Sources: MA Registries of Deeds: Tax stamps ($2.28 per $500) · Mass. DFS: Consumer guide to smoke and CO alarms when selling a home · Mass.gov: Property Transfer Lead Paint Notification · Mass.gov: Buying or selling property with a septic system (Title 5) · FRED / Realtor.com: Median days on market in Massachusetts · NAR: August 17, 2024 practice changes · Mass.gov: The Attorney General's Guide to Landlord and Tenant Rights · MassLegalHelp: New owners and security deposits
