Fewer Surprises, Better Offers:

The New Rules for Seller Control

There’s been a lot of chatter about “new rules” in real estate. Here’s the bottom line for Massachusetts sellers:

• What changed: how some conversations happen and how buyers package their offers.
• What didn’t: you still control list terms, showing standards, and how offers are evaluated.

My MLS-compliant plan to keep your leverage (and your net):

1. Listing remarks that focus on value and process (no sensitive topics)
   We keep your public marketing clean and compliant—property features, access instructions, and clear timelines. No discussion, display, or mention of prohibited topics in MLS or marketing.

2. A structured, off-MLS Q&A path
   If buyers or their agents have questions that can’t be addressed in MLS or marketing, we direct them to submit those in writing outside the MLS channel. This preserves momentum while staying compliant.

3. Showings that protect your position
   We prioritize qualified traffic and clear scheduling: organized open-house windows, proof-of-funds or pre-approval before second showings, and a simple path to written offers.

4. Offer quality checklist (certainty > noise)
   We’ll score each offer on: verification of funds, appraisal/inspection posture, timeline compliance, and communication reliability. The goal is fewer surprises and a higher-certainty closing.

When questions arise that cannot be addressed in MLS or marketing, we use a simple response:

“Thanks for your interest. Please include your proposed terms in a written offer with your lender letter. We evaluate total net and certainty of closing.”

This keeps the conversation compliant and focused on results.

If you’re planning to sell in the next 3–12 months, reply “Map” and I’ll send my 7-step Seller Leverage Map customized to your address (including a compliant listing-language outline, showing plan, and our offer-quality checklist).

Doom or boom, I have a plan that works and it follows Massachusetts rules to the letter.

PS - If you find value in this and you feel compelled, please share this newsletter if you know of anyone thinking of selling that this could help.