The cost of selling a house to We Buy Ugly Houses®

Compare the costs of selling to We Buy Ugly Houses® vs. to a traditional buyer.

The cost of selling a house to We Buy Ugly Houses®

Compare the costs of selling to We Buy Ugly Houses® vs. to a traditional buyer.

What is the cost of selling a house in Boston?

Selling a house in Boston through a real estate agent or FSBO (for sale by owner) can get expensive. According to Clever Real Estate, the average cost to sell a house in Massachusetts is around 10% of the sale price. 

Here is some of what goes into that 10%:

  • Real estate commissions and fees: In recent years, the average total of commissions and fees for a Massachusetts home sale was around 4.4%. While lower than the national average, Boston home prices are on the expensive side, which means a sizable cut into the homeowner’s profit at closing.
  • Repairs, renovations, and updates: For some houses, a fresh coat of paint might be enough. Others may require more costly repairs like new water pipes or a HVAC system replacement. If a house does not meet Minimum Property Requirements, major repairs may be a necessity.
  • Cleaning and staging: Deep cleaning and de-cluttering can be done by the seller or left to the professionals. Many houses will show better with staging furniture, which the seller may have to buy or rent. Some sellers may need to pay for landscaping services as well.
  • Closing costs: Closing costs like owner title insurance, escrow fees, and buyer incentives quickly add up. Many buyers will also negotiate seller concessions, such as home warranties and the credits toward the cost of repairs.

With FSBO sales, the seller is able to avoid some of these expenses. The challenge is that the seller will have to price, market, and sell their property without a real estate agent’s resources and help. That means the seller will pick up additional costs like home photography and any legal fees. An FSBO seller won’t have access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) that real estate agents use either, which could make it harder to attract a large pool of Boston buyers.

Common house-selling fees covered by We Buy Ugly Houses®

We Buy Ugly Houses® either covers or eliminates the need to pay many of these expenses. When you sell with us, you can avoid: 

  • Home inspections: Most of the time, our inspection consists of a simple, no-obligation walkthrough. We don’t expect you to purchase an inspection or be aware of every existing issue with your house. 
  • Repairs and upgrades: We buy houses “as is” and don’t expect you to make repairs. We don’t even ask you to clean or organize. 
  • Marketing, staging, and photography: Since you’ll be selling directly to us, you won’t need to market your Boston house in any way. 
  • Closing costs: We Buy Ugly Houses pays typical closing costs and doesn’t charge any hidden fees.
  • Commissions: Since you’re not selling through a real estate agent, there’s no need to pay commissions. 
  • Seller concessions: If one of our property buyers chooses to make an offer, we won’t ask you for extra concessions.

For many sellers, the expenses we cover can be an advantage. 

House-selling fees that We Buy Ugly Houses® does not cover

There are a few costs of selling a house that We Buy Ugly Houses typically does not cover. These include: 

  • Moving costs: While we can’t pay to move you out of your house, you can leave unwanted furniture and other items behind, and we’ll take care of them. 
  • Mortgage payoff: The seller will still be responsible for the balance of their mortgage. 
  • Capital gains tax: If your Boston home is your primary residence, you don’t have to pay a capital gains tax on the first $250,000, or if married, $500,000. The federal capital gains tax is charged on a stepped-up basis.   
  • Property tax: The City of Boston uses a property tax classification system. The tax rate varies from year to year and has historically run anywhere between $10–$14 per $1000 assessed value. Other municipal areas around Boston may have different rules. In any case, the seller is usually responsible for property tax up to the closing day. 
  • Transfer tax: Transfer tax, also known as deed transfer and excise tax, is usually the seller’s responsibility.
  • HOA and condo fees: You will usually be responsible for these fees up to closing day. 

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We have over 25 years of experience resolving tough situations.

When to work with We Buy Ugly Houses®

Sell with We Buy Ugly Houses®.

With the current state of Boston real estate prices, it isn’t surprising that many homeowners are looking for fewer upfront expenses. We Buy Ugly Houses considers all kinds of properties throughout the Boston area, including condos, rental units, single-family homes, townhouses, and even some commercial real estate.

Getting started is easy. Simply reach out to our Boston team and we’ll send one of our property buyers to your location. We’ll conduct a quick walkthrough and answer any questions you might have. In some cases, we can make a same-day offer and potentially close in as little as 3 weeks. 

When you want a fast, convenient home sale, get in touch with We Buy Ugly Houses!