REDBO · For sale by owner
Selling your home without an agent inSmithfield, Rhode Island
What the steps look like, what commonly comes up at closing, and the homes already on REDBO in Smithfield, Rhode Island. REDBO does not practice law.
Homes on REDBO in Smithfield, Rhode Island
1 home on REDBO
Resources for Smithfield, Rhode Island
Seller disclosure
R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-20.8-2(a)
A Rhode Island seller must deliver the Chapter 20.8 written disclosure as soon as practicable and no later than before signing an agreement to transfer the real estate.
Source: Rhode Island General Assembly · Retrieved 2026-07-21
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R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-20.8-2(a)
The Rhode Island written disclosure must comply with § 5-20.8-2(b) and state every deficient condition of which the seller has actual knowledge.
Source: Rhode Island General Assembly · Retrieved 2026-07-21
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R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-20.8-2(a)
When an agent is involved, Rhode Island bars that agent from communicating the buyer’s offer until the buyer has received the written disclosure and signed a written receipt.
Source: Rhode Island General Assembly · Retrieved 2026-07-21
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R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-20.8-2(b)(1)
Section 5-20.8-2 does not itself impose an affirmative seller duty to inspect the condition of the real estate, so a buyer should not treat the seller disclosure as a substitute for independent investigation.
Source: Rhode Island General Assembly · Retrieved 2026-07-21
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R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-20.8-5(a)
Every Rhode Island residential purchase-and-sale agreement must acknowledge that the seller provided the buyer a completed real estate disclosure form.
Source: Rhode Island General Assembly · Retrieved 2026-07-21
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R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-20.8-5(b)
Since the June 14, 2023 amendment, failure to provide the Rhode Island seller disclosure does not by itself void the agreement or create a title defect.
Source: Rhode Island General Assembly · Retrieved 2026-07-21
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R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-20.8-5(b)
Each violation of Rhode Island § 5-20.8-5 by the seller or seller’s agent is subject to a maximum civil penalty of $1,000 per occurrence.
Source: Rhode Island General Assembly · Retrieved 2026-07-21
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R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-93-13(b)
For a Rhode Island residential property with a solar system subject to a lease or unpaid financing, the homeowner seller must disclose the existence and terms of that lease or financing to the purchaser in the purchase-and-sale agreement or other sale contract.
Source: Rhode Island General Assembly · Retrieved 2026-07-21
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Lead paint
42 U.S.C. § 4851b(27)
Federal lead-disclosure law generally defines target housing as housing constructed before 1978, subject to the statutory elderly, disability, zero-bedroom, child-occupancy, and jurisdiction-specific exceptions.
Source: Office of the Law Revision Counsel, U.S. House of Representatives · Retrieved 2026-07-20
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42 U.S.C. § 4852d(a)(1)(B)
Before a purchaser or lessee is contractually obligated for target housing, the seller or lessor must disclose known lead-based paint or hazards and provide available lead-hazard evaluation reports.
Source: Office of the Law Revision Counsel, U.S. House of Representatives · Retrieved 2026-07-20
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42 U.S.C. § 4852d(a)(1)(C)
For a target-housing sale, the seller must permit the purchaser a 10-day lead risk-assessment or inspection period unless the parties mutually agree to a different period.
Source: Office of the Law Revision Counsel, U.S. House of Representatives · Retrieved 2026-07-20
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Forms
R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-20.8-2(b)(1)
For vacant land and improved property containing one to four dwelling units, Rhode Island directs the Commission to approve disclosure forms and permits a seller to use a form substantially conforming to § 5-20.8-2.
Source: Rhode Island General Assembly · Retrieved 2026-07-21
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Selling without an agent: the steps, in order
Price the home
Look at recent nearby sales and homes currently for sale, then choose a price you can explain.
Prepare and photograph it
Clean, repair the obvious, and take bright, honest photos of every room.
Publish your listing
Put the home in front of buyers with a full description and photos. On REDBO you publish it yourself; on an MLS package, the partner broker places it on your local MLS.
Handle showings and questions
Answer buyer inquiries and set up showings on times that suit you.
Review offers
Compare price, financing, deposit and timing, and negotiate the terms you want.
Sign the purchase agreement
Put the agreed terms in writing. Ask a local attorney or title company to review before you sign.
Inspection, appraisal and financing
The buyer completes their checks while you respond to repair and paperwork requests.
Close
A title company, escrow company or attorney, depending on where you live, records the transfer and pays you.
How long each step takes depends on the home, the price and the buyer’s financing. REDBO does not publish a typical number of days for this area because it has not sourced one.
What commonly comes up at closing
Costs that commonly come up when a sale closes:
- Title search, title insurance and escrow or attorney fees
- Recording fees for the new deed
- Transfer or documentary taxes, where a state or locality charges them
- Property taxes and other charges divided between buyer and seller on the closing date
- Any buyer-agent compensation you agree to offer
- Payoff of your existing mortgage, if you have one
Amounts and rules differ by state and locality. Ask a title company or attorney for an itemized estimate before you set your price.