Curious about how much a house sold for? Knowing a home’s sale price can be valuable whether you’re buying, selling, or just interested. I will provide you with the following information on finding out the sales price of a property:

  • How to use online tools to find sold prices
  • Methods to access county records and real estate agents
  • Steps to perform a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)

As a Massachusetts Realtor, one of the most common questions I receive from buyers and sellers is, “How much did that house sell for?” Most consumers in the market to buy or sell will have a heightened sense of curiosity about current market values. It is understandable as it could influence their buying or selling decisions.

Let’s examine everything you should know.

How to Find Out What a Home Sold For

How to Find Out What a Property Sold For.

1. Using Online Tools to Find Sold Prices in Massachusetts

Online tools provide a quick and easy way to determine the sale price of a house. Below are detailed steps for using three popular platforms: Zillow, Realtor.com, and Redfin.

Zillow

  1. Visit Zillow.com.
    • Open your preferred web browser and navigate to Zillow’s website.
    • You can also use the Zillow mobile app if you prefer.
  2. Enter the address in the search bar.
    • Type the specific address of the property you are interested in.
    • Use the auto-complete feature to help you find the address faster.
  3. Click on the property from the search results.
    • Once the address appears in the search results, click it to view the property details.
  4. Scroll down to the ‘Price History’ section.
    • In the property details page, scroll down to find the ‘Price History’ section.
    • Here, you will see the sold prices along with the sale dates.

A word of caution when looking at their site: Do not trust the provided Zillow home value. These online estimates are notoriously inaccurate, as are other online estimation tools.

If you want an accurate home market value, consult a top local real estate agent or a qualified appraiser. They will be able to determine the market value of your home.

Realtor.com

  1. Go to Realtor.com.
  2. Type the address in the search box.
    • Enter the property’s address into the search bar at the top of the page.
  3. Select the property from the list.
    • From the search results, click on the property to view its detailed information.
  4. Look for the ‘Property History’ section.
    • Find the ‘Property History’ section on the property’s detail page.
    • This section will list all the sale prices and dates.

Redfin

  1. Navigate to Redfin.com.
    • Open your web browser and go to Redfin’s website.
    • You can also download and use the Redfin mobile app.
  2. Input the address in the search field.
    • Enter the property’s address into the search bar and select the correct result.
  3. Choose the property from the search results.
    • Click on the property to open the detailed view.
  4. Scroll to the ‘Property History’ section.
    • Scroll down to find the ‘Property History’ section.
    • You will see a record of sale prices and dates here.

2. Accessing Massachusetts County Records

County records can provide a more official and comprehensive look at a property’s sale history and other house facts.

Here’s how to access these records online and in person.

Online Records

  1. Find your county’s property records website.
    • Search for your county’s official website or use search engines to find the property records section.
  2. Search for the property by address or owner name.
    • Enter the property’s address or the owner’s name into the search field provided on the website.
  3. Review the property details.
    • The search results will show detailed property records, including sale prices, dates, and other relevant transactions.

In-Person Visit

  1. Visit your local county recorder or assessor’s office.
    • Locate the address of your county’s recorder or assessor’s office. As a real estate agent, I often visit the local town hall to see these records.
    • Visit during business hours.
  2. Provide the property address or owner’s name.
    • At the office, give the clerk the property address or owner’s name to help them find the records.
  3. Request access to property transaction records.
    • Ask for a copy of the transaction history for the property, which will include sale prices and dates.

3. Contacting Local Massachusetts Real Estate Agents

One of the easiest ways to find out what a home sold for is to speak with an agent. Real estate agents have access to Multiple Listing Services (MLS), which provide detailed information on property transactions. I spend hours a day utilizing the MLS, and one of the things I constantly look at is houses that have sold.

Here’s how to leverage their expertise.

  1. Identify real estate agents in the area.
    • Use Google or referrals to find agents in the property’s area. I suggest you search for the best Realtors near me to get top-producing agents. Conduct a careful agent interview before choosing someone to work with.
  2. Reach out via phone or email.
    • Contact the agents directly by phone or email and explain your request.
  3. Ask for the sale price of the specific property.
    • Provide the property’s address and ask the agent for its sale history.
    • Many agents are willing to provide this information for customer service.

4. Performing a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)

Massachusetts Comparative Market Analysis

A Comparative Market Analysis is Vital For Figuring Out Home Sale Prices.

A Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) is a crucial tool in real estate to understand property values. Here’s how to perform one in detail. I recommend having a real estate agent do it for you. Top Realtors are skilled at analyzing comparable sales and picking the most appropriate ones.

The value will be inaccurate if you have the wrong houses sold in your analysis.

Understanding CMA

A CMA helps evaluate a property’s value by comparing it to similar properties recently sold in the area.

Steps to Perform a CMA

  1. Collect information on comparable properties.
    • Look for homes with similar characteristics, such as size, location, and features.
    • Use online tools like Zillow and Realtor.com, or consult a real estate agent to gather this data.
  2. Analyze the data.
    • Compare the sale prices, square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and the condition of the properties.
    • Make adjustments for differences such as recent renovations, larger lots, or additional amenities.
  3. Don’t focus on the average price per square foot.
    • Divide the total sale price of each comparable property by its square footage to get the cost per square foot.
    • Find the average price per square foot by adding these figures and dividing by the number of comparables.
    • Many agents use this rudimentary valuation method. I would not use it as you’ll likely have an inaccurate asking price. Instead, carefully analyze the factors distinguishing real estate comps from your property.
  4. Estimate the property’s value.
    • Multiply the average price per square foot by the square footage of the property you are evaluating.
    • Adjust the estimated value based on unique features, location advantages, or other significant factors.

Aaron Farr with the Farr Group knows the importance of having an accurate market analysis:

“An accurate market analysis is crucial for initially setting the right asking price! Working with a real estate agent with a proven track record of successful sales, especially one who rarely needs to reduce prices, ensures your home is priced correctly from the start, maximizing your chances for a successful sale.

If you get an agent who’s a ‘yes-man’ who agrees to any price you want, you will probably be frustrated and irritated when the house doesn’t sell right away OR disappointed if it sells too fast because it was priced too low. Landing the sweet spot FROM THE BEGINNING is the key. None of this ‘price high, and we can reduce when it doesn’t sell’ stuff. That only leads to frustration.

Conclusion

Knowing a home’s sale price is straightforward with the right tools and methods. As mentioned, you can use online platforms like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Redfin for quick access to sale prices.

County records and real estate agents offer reliable information as well. Performing a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) can provide deeper insights into property values.

Next, consider learning about the factors that influence home values to refine your understanding of real estate trends further. Happy property hunting!