Thinking About Selling Your Home on the South Shore? A Potential Seller's FAQ

Selling your home is a big decision. Whether you have lived in your house for two years or twenty, you probably have a dozen questions before you even pick up the phone. Here are some common questions I hear from homeowners who are considering selling, and what I tell them honestly.

1. Is now a good time to sell?

Short answer: yes, for most sellers.
Longer answer: it depends on your town, your property, and most importantly, your goals.

Inventory across the South Shore, from Hingham to Scituate, is still low while buyer demand remains strong. Homes that are priced correctly and well presented are selling quickly and often with multiple offers. That gives sellers leverage when it comes to timing, terms, and negotiations.

The right time to sell is not just about the calendar. It is about your personal timeline and how your home fits into current market conditions. I love data and strategy, and I help my clients review local sales data so they can make that decision confidently with their individual goals in mind, not just because someone told them it is a good market.

2. How much is my house worth?

Online estimates can be a starting point, but they often miss the mark by tens of thousands of dollars. When we listed our home in April of 2024, the estimates from the major online platforms were off by more than fifteen percent. A home’s value on the South Shore depends on a mix of factors including location, size and layout, condition, and recent nearby sales.

When we discuss pricing, I will bring a professional market evaluation that includes both your home’s features and the most recent data from your area. No guesswork and no algorithms, just accurate, data-driven recommendations.

3. What should I do to get my house ready to sell?

This is where most sellers start to feel overwhelmed, but it does not have to be. The goal is not perfection. The goal is presentation.

I am going to dive deeper into this topic in a future post and share my own “best practices” that helped with the sale of my home. For now, here is a quick snapshot:

• Declutter and depersonalize. Remove items that do not add value to the space or make it feel too personal.

• Fresh paint in neutral tones always helps.

• A deep clean, especially in kitchens and baths. Pay attention to baseboards, ovens, and doors.

• Small repairs or updates you have been putting off.

• Curb appeal that creates a great first impression. Refresh plant beds, pull weeds, and tidy outdoor spaces.

I share more detailed instructions with potential sellers at our pre-listing appointment.

4. Should I get a pre-listing home inspection?

I did, and I highly recommend it. Ordering a home inspection before listing can save you from surprises later. It allows you to fix issues on your own terms instead of under pressure once you are under contract, and it can alleviate unnecessary stress.

There is a cost involved depending on the size of your home, and you will need to disclose any major findings. However, the peace of mind and control it provides can make it worthwhile. Addressing smaller issues ahead of time can also reduce the length of a buyer’s inspection report, which helps buyers feel more confident about their purchase. Nothing scares a potential buyer like a list of seventy-five small problems on an inspection report.

5. How long will it take to sell?

This is one of the biggest questions every seller asks. As of fall 2025, well-prepared homes on the South Shore typically go under agreement within one to three weeks. The timeline depends on your price point, location, and property type.

For example:

• Homes under one million in Weymouth or Norwell often sell quickly, especially if updated.

• High-end listings in coastal towns like Cohasset or Hingham may take longer because they have a smaller buyer pool.

The key is pricing strategically from day one. Overpriced homes sit. Properly priced homes attract attention and serious buyers.

6. What if I sell before I find my next home?

You are not alone. This is one of the most common concerns among homeowners right now. There are several ways to handle it:

• Negotiate a flexible closing date or a rent-back agreement so you can stay in your home temporarily after closing.

• Explore bridge loan programs that let you buy before you sell.

• Include a clause that allows you to cancel without penalty if you cannot find suitable housing (although that is not typically recommended).

There are always options. If the deal makes sense, there are temporary solutions to make timelines work. I say that from experience. My family of five and two dogs once lived in a two-bedroom apartment for two months between homes. It was not glamorous, but it worked.

7. How will you market my home?

Marketing is where strategy meets storytelling and where my advertising and marketing background really makes a difference. I market every listing like a luxury product.

I think about the demographics of the most likely buyer and how that buyer consumes media. Then I craft a strategy that answers questions and addresses potential objections before buyers even ask them. I combine professional photography, lifestyle-driven video, digital advertising, and the reach of the Sotheby’s International Realty global network.

Your home will not just appear on MLS. It will be featured on high-traffic websites, through targeted digital campaigns, and in front of qualified buyers across the country and internationally. Locally, it will be shared through social media, email campaigns, and carefully timed open houses designed to create genuine excitement.

8. What is the difference between a seller’s and a buyer’s market?

A seller’s market happens when demand exceeds supply. That is what we have seen in most South Shore towns over the past few years, with fewer listings, multiple offers, and steady price growth.

A buyer’s market is the opposite. When there are more homes for sale than buyers, homes take longer to sell and buyers gain more negotiating power.

I review absorption rates and months of inventory during our initial meeting. Both metrics help define whether the market currently favors buyers or sellers. The market can shift quickly, which is why I track local trends weekly so that my sellers list strategically and stay ahead of the curve.

9. How do you communicate during the process?

Clear and consistent communication is everything, but every client has different needs. We will discuss your preferred communication style and frequency, and I respect when and how you prefer to hear from me.

I provide a Monday update for sellers that includes a market snapshot, home activity, and online traffic report. From our first consultation through closing day, you will always know what is happening and what comes next. I adapt to your preferred method of communication, whether that is text, call, or email, and you will never have to chase me for updates. My goal is to answer your questions before you even have to ask them.

Bottom Line

Selling your home is both an emotional and financial decision. My role is to help you make smart, data-driven choices while keeping the human side of the process front and center. Timing, family, and your next chapter all matter just as much as price.

If you have been thinking about selling, whether now or six months from now, I would be happy to provide a personalized home value review and help you explore your options. Or we can simply meet for coffee and talk about the market.

Erin Freeman
Real Estate Advisor, Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty
Licensed in Massachusetts and Florida
Helping homeowners make their next move with confidence