Waterfront Homes for Sale in Massachusetts

According to Houzeo's latest data, homes for sale in Massachusetts have a median price of $650,000. However, that’s not the final amount you have to pay.

Closing costs, property taxes, homeowners insurance, flood insurance, and HOA fees together increase your upfront and monthly costs. Further, these added expenses differ depending on your location and property type.

Yes, Massachusetts is expensive. Living costs here are 48% above the national average.

Housing drives most of the difference, coming in at 108% higher than the national rate. Utilities also cost 49% more. For basic daily needs, food prices stay relatively close to the national average, with groceries costing just 3% more. However, you will pay 31% more for clothing.

No, Massachusetts law does not require sellers to provide a standard form listing every known defect in a home. That makes a professional home inspection and your own careful research vital to the buying process.

Sellers need to disclose specific issues, such as lead paint in homes built before 1978 and details about the septic system. You should never assume that a home has no problems just because the seller did not give you a written disclosure.

Massachusetts charges a deed excise tax when you buy a home. The state sets this tax at $2.28 for every $500 of the sale price above $100, though Barnstable County levies a higher rate.

The seller usually pays this tax because state rules place the obligation on the person signing the deed.

A Chapter 40B home is part of the Massachusetts affordable housing program. The state allows developers to bypass certain local zoning rules if they set aside a specific portion of housing units for lower-income buyers.

These homes come with permanent legal restrictions attached to the deed. Before you buy, you must review the income limits, resale price caps, and buyer qualification rules. These restrictions will limit who can buy the home from you and how much profit you can make when you sell it.

Yes, Massachusetts buyers can get down payment assistance through various programs. MassHousing provides down payment and homebuyer assistance of up to $25,000 for eligible buyers.

The agency also offers the ONE Mortgage program for first-time buyers, which requires a minimum down payment of 3% and does not need private mortgage insurance. Your eligibility depends on your income, property location, credit score, and property type.

Massachusetts provides a strong economy, world-class education, and top-tier healthcare. Premier universities like Harvard and MIT drive a thriving innovation sector, while a strong K12 public school system serves local families.

Renowned medical centers offer exceptional care. High average incomes balance rising costs, and rich history, high walkability, and reliable public transit enhance daily life.

Sellers and real estate agents must provide you with specific lead paint details before you buy a Massachusetts home built prior to 1978. Both state and federal laws enforce this requirement.

If a child under six will live in the home, state law requires you to remove the lead paint or bring the property under interim control. You must complete this process within 90 days of taking ownership. This rule affects many buyers because much of the housing stock in Massachusetts dates back to before 1978.

Property taxes vary widely because each Massachusetts city and town sets its own rate.

For fiscal year 2026, the average single-family property tax bill in the state reached $8,113. Individual bills depend on the property value and local tax rate, with residential rates ranging from $2.18 to $20.35 per $1,000 of the assessed value across different communities.