The Real Costs of Listing a Home in Massachusetts and NH

Listing your home on the market can often produce strong results, but sellers should understand the true costs involved in the traditional sales process.  Think about these before listing or accepting a cash offer on your home.  

Realtor Commissions

In most transactions, sellers pay commissions that may total around 5–6% of the sale price.

Preparation Costs

Before listing, many homes require:

• Interior painting

• Minor repairs

• Landscaping improvements

• Professional cleaning

• Staging

These updates help attract buyers but can add up quickly.

Carrying Costs

While the home is listed, sellers continue paying:

• Mortgage payments

• Property taxes

• Insurance

• Utilities

Inspection Negotiations

After an accepted offer, buyers typically conduct inspections. It's common for sellers to negotiate repairs or credits at this stage.

Appraisal Risk

If a buyer is using financing, the property must appraise at the purchase price.

If it does not, the deal may need to be renegotiated.

Time and Stress

Showings, open houses, and scheduling around buyer availability can add additional stress.

For some homeowners, the traditional process works well.

For others, the simplicity of a direct cash sale may be more appealing.