Documents Needed To Sell A House Massachusetts

Unsure Which Documents You Need To Sell A House In Massachusetts? We Make The Checklist Simple, Work With A Local Attorney To Keep You On Track, And Can Buy Your Home For Cash.

Trying to sell a house in Massachusetts can feel like juggling moving parts while the clock ticks. Showings, offers, repairs, and a pile of forms that no one warned you about. 

Sellers often discover late that the fire department needs to sign off on smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, that a septic system may need a Title 5 inspection, that condos ask for a 6D certificate, and that older homes require lead paint disclosures. 

Towns also ask for final water and sewer readings, and attorneys swap more paperwork at the closing table. Miss one item and the deal slows or falls apart. 

Boston Investors keeps the process calm and clear. We explain what applies to your home, help you gather the right records, and work with a local attorney so documents are correct the first time. 

If you want speed, we can also buy the property directly for a fair price, so you can move on without the stress of open houses or delays.

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Sell Your Property Quickly With Us

We buy houses across Massachusetts and guide traditional sales, too. If you have missing documents or a tight deadline, we step in and keep things moving.

Step 1

Start with a quick call

Tell us about your property and your goals at (617) 539-2221. We review your situation, flag the documents you will need, and map the fastest path to closing.

Step 2

We handle the paperwork

Our team coordinates fire department certificates, Title 5 or condo items when needed, and closing records with a local attorney. You stay informed without chasing forms.

Step 3

Close on your timeline

Pick a date that works for you. We can buy for cash or help you finish a standard sale, then wrap up cleanly so you can move on.

Must Have Documents To Sell House In MA

Selling in Massachusetts comes with a short list of items that can stall a closing if you find them late. Use this quick guide to see what applies to your place and what your attorney or buyer will expect.

Inherited A House

Smoke and carbon monoxide certificate

Your fire department inspects alarms and issues a compliance certificate. Book early—spots fill fast. The certificate expires, so it must still be valid on closing day.

Lead paint notification for homes built before 1978

Sellers must give buyers the state lead notice and any records before the purchase and sale agreement is signed.

Septic Title 5 inspection report

Required if the property uses a private septic system. A licensed inspector performs it, and the report has a set window of validity.

Inherited A House

Condo 6D certificate

Shows condo fees are paid through the month of closing. Associations often charge a fee to issue it, and the original goes to the closing attorney. Dorner Law and other conveyancers use this as a standard checklist item.

Inherited A House

Final water and sewer readings with paid receipts

Towns want proof that these accounts are clear since unpaid balances can follow the property. In Boston, sellers arrange a final reading with the water and sewer office, then bring paid proof to closing. Alavi and Braza cover this in their closing prep for sellers.

Municipal lien certificate

Your attorney orders this from the town to confirm taxes and utility charges. There is a set fee, and it protects both sides by showing what is owed. See the statute and practice notes at the Massachusetts General Court.

Inherited A House

Transfer tax stamps

Paid when the deed is recorded. The state sets the rate, and Barnstable County uses a different rate than most counties. Your attorney or closing team calculates and collects this at recording.

Special Documents for Specific House Cases

Most sales only need the items above. In some situations, the closing team will add one or more of these.

  1. FIRPTA non-foreign certification or withholding: Used when a seller may be a foreign person for tax purposes. The closing attorney manages the forms and any required withholding. See guidance at the IRS.
  2. Extra condo documents: Lender or buyer requests can include association questionnaires, budgets, and rules in addition to the 6D.
  3. Well testing where the town requires it: Some communities require water quality testing at transfer. Mashpee posts its rules on the Mashpee town site.
  4. Final electric reading in municipal light towns: Where the town runs electric service, sellers provide a final reading and proof of payment at or before closing.
  5. Fuel level proof for oil or propane: A dated photo of the tank gauge or a delivery slip lets the attorney credit the remaining fuel to the seller at closing.

Why Pick Us

Selling in Massachusetts can feel heavy, especially when papers keep popping up late. Boston Investors keeps it simple. We work across the state from our Boston base, and we are here all day and all night. You get clear guidance on what applies to your home, plus a fast cash option if you want a quick exit without showings or repairs.

  1. Local paperwork guidance: We explain exactly which documents you need for your town and your property. Think smoke and carbon monoxide sign off, Title 5, condo 6D, final water and sewer, and transfer tax stamps.
  2. Fast cash offer: Want speed with less risk of delays. We can buy your home for cash and close on your timeline, even if you are missing documents right now.
  3. Sell as is: Skip repairs and clean outs. We buy homes in any condition, so you can focus on your next move.
  4. Help with tough situations: Facing foreclosure, probate, divorce, or a sudden job move. Our team knows how to coordinate the right paperwork and keep things moving.
  5. No agent sale option: If you prefer a direct sale without a listing, we make it simple with a clear offer and an easy closing process.
  6. Here for you 24/7: Questions do not keep business hours. Reach us anytime and get straight answers.
  7. Statewide service: We help sellers in every county while working remotely from Boston. City rules vary, so we tailor the checklist for your location.
  8. Attorney-aligned process: A Massachusetts attorney is part of every closing. We coordinate with your attorney so that documents are correct and delivered on time.
  9. Clear next steps: You get a short plan that shows what you handle and what we handle. No guesswork and no last-minute scrambles.
  10. Flexible closing dates: Pick the day that works for you. We adjust the plan to match your move or your lender payoff.
  11. No obligation offer: Review our number and take your time. If it is not a fit, you still keep the checklist we made for you.

A BETTER WAY TO SELL YOUR HOUSE

What Makes Us Different

Listing With A Realtor

Other Cash Buyers

Before

before house condition

After

after rome condition

The right solution

When Selling Your House As-Is Makes Sense

Outdated or
Damaged Property

Financial Distress
or Foreclosure

Problematic
Rental Property

Urgent Relocation
or Retirement

Unwanted or
Inherited Home

Major Costly,
Structural Issues

FAQs

Plan on a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate, the lead paint packet for homes built before 1978, a Title 5 report if you have septic, and a condo 6D if you own a unit. Your attorney also orders a municipal lien certificate and figures the transfer tax stamps due at recording.

Yes. The local fire department must inspect your alarms and issue a certificate of compliance. Book early since many cities ask for advance notice, and the certificate must still be valid on closing day.

If your home uses a private septic system, a Title 5 inspection is required for a sale. Weather can allow a short delay with written notice to the buyer, but the report still needs to be completed within the allowed window.

Massachusetts does not require a statewide property condition disclosure form. You still must give the lead paint notification for pre-1978 homes, and you must answer buyer questions honestly.

Sellers usually pay deed excise when the deed is recorded. The standard rate is 2.28 dollars per 500 dollars of price, with a different rate in Barnstable County. 

Ready To Move Without Paperwork Stress

Need help with the documents needed to sell a house in Massachusetts. We can guide you step by step or buy the property for cash if you want a quick close. Give us a call at (617) 539-2221 and talk to a real person today. Or get your free offer and see what your home would sell for with no repairs and no showings.

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Not sure where to begin? That’s normal. Most homeowners we speak with are just exploring their options. Maybe you’re thinking, “Can I really sell my house without fixing anything?” or “Is a cash offer even worth it?”

We get it; selling is a big decision. So let’s just have a chat. Call us at (617) 539-2221 or fill out the short form. No pressure. Just real answers from real people who buy houses across Massachusetts.

Emily Williams
Emily Williams9 August 2023
Boston Investors made the entire process simple and transparent. I felt confident investing from day one.
Daniel Harvard
Daniel Harvard9 August 2023
Their market knowledge is unmatched. I was able to secure a property with excellent returns in just a few months.
James Kale
James Kale@James
Professional, trustworthy, and responsive—exactly what I needed in a real estate investment partner.
Sarah Lee
Sarah Lee@itssarah
I had never invested in real estate before, but Boston Investors guided me step by step. Now I’m already seeing strong results.
Michael R
Michael R@michaelrobert
They delivered on every promise and exceeded expectations. I wouldn’t go anywhere else for property investments.

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