Scituate, MA Real Estate: A Local Broker's Guide to Buying and Selling
Why Scituate
Scituate is a coastal town about 25 miles southeast of Boston, with a population of 19,063 at the 2020 Census (Wikipedia). It was settled in 1630 and incorporated in 1636, and nearly half of its residents are of Irish descent (Wikipedia). It has a working harbor, five public beaches, two commuter rail stations and a real year round village life. Scituate is right next door to Marshfield, and Humarock is reachable only by driving through Marshfield, so this is home turf for us.
The Neighborhoods
Scituate isn't one market. Each neighborhood has its own feel, its own kind of homes and its own price point, so a townwide median only tells part of the story. Here's what buyers usually tell me they're looking for in each one:
- Scituate Harbor: Buyers want to walk out the door to coffee, restaurants, shops and the marina. It's a real working harbor with lobster boats and a village that stays busy all year, not just in summer. Outside of the waterfront itself, it's one of the most expensive parts of town, and Peggotty Beach is an easy walk from the harbor.
- Minot and the Cliffs: Buyers come for ocean views, privacy and prestige. Minot has classic shingled homes, seawalls and views of Minot Light, and it's often called the Irish Riviera (Scituate Visitors Center). First, Second and Third Cliff offer larger, private homes, many sitting up high above the ocean.
- Egypt Beach, Sand Hills, Shore Acres and the Alphabet Streets: Buyers want a beach neighborhood with a strong community feel, at a better price than the harbor or Minot. Along Hatherly Road, the Alphabet Streets run from Curtis to Jay (Scituate Visitors Center). Sand Hills is full of smaller bungalows that started out as summer homes and are now lived in year round.
- North Scituate and Greenbush: Buyers here want an easy commute and everyday convenience. Each village has its own commuter rail station (Wikipedia), and this end of town has some of the most approachable prices in Scituate. The Driftway path connects the Greenbush station to the harbor.
- West End and Walnut Hill: Buyers want privacy, bigger lots and a quiet, wooded setting. The West End has conservation land and walking trails, and it can feel like you're in the country even though the coast is just minutes away.
- Humarock and Fourth Cliff: Buyers want that island feel, with the South River on one side and the ocean on the other. Humarock was cut off from the rest of Scituate by the Portland Gale of 1898, and today you can only drive there through Marshfield (Wikipedia). You'll find old summer cottages right next to new, upgraded homes (Scituate Visitors Center). Very few homes come up for sale here, and flood zones matter, so buyers need to be ready when one does.
Beaches and Things to Do
- Five public beaches: Minot, Sand Hills, Egypt, Peggotty and Humarock (Wikipedia).
- Beach stickers: A resident beach sticker is $35, and resident stickers never sell out. Stickers are required from Memorial Day to Labor Day (Town of Scituate).
- Old Scituate Light: Built in 1810 on the north edge of the harbor. During the War of 1812, Abigail and Rebecca Bates scared off a British raiding party by playing a fife and drum behind the dunes, and became known as the "American Army of Two" (Wikipedia).
- Lawson Tower: A water tower wrapped in a wooden facade, with an observation deck that looks out over most of the South Shore (Wikipedia).
- Greenbush: Home to the Maritime and Irish Mossing Museum, Widow's Walk Golf Course and Untold Brewing (Scituate Visitors Center).
Schools
Scituate Public Schools has four elementary schools (Cushing, Hatherly, Jenkins and Wampatuck), Gates Middle School and Scituate High School, plus an Early Childhood Center preschool at Wampatuck (Scituate Public Schools).
Getting to Boston
- By train: Scituate has two MBTA commuter rail stops, North Scituate and Greenbush. Greenbush is the end of the line, and the ride into South Station takes about 45 minutes (Wikipedia).
- By car: Route 3A runs through town, where it's known as the Chief Justice Cushing Highway (Wikipedia).
The Scituate Market Right Now
Based on MLS PIN single family sales in Scituate from August 27 to October 23, 2026:
| Scituate | |
|---|---|
| Homes sold | 37 |
| Median sale price | $1,200,000 |
| Median sale price per square foot | $530 |
| Median days on market | 23 |
| Median days to offer | 8 |
| Price range | $485,000 to $2,520,000 |
| Homes for sale right now | 28 (median list price $1,449,450) |
| Homes under agreement right now | 23 |
- 3 homes sold under $750,000, 11 sold between $750,000 and $1 million, 14 sold between $1 million and $1.5 million, 6 sold between $1.5 million and $2 million, and 3 sold for $2 million or more.
- 24 of the 37 homes sold within 30 days on the market. Only 3 took more than 90 days.
- Of the 28 homes for sale now, 8 are listed at $2 million or more, and 15 have been on the market for more than 90 days. 7 of those 15 are priced at $2 million or more.
- With 28 homes for sale and about 18 sales a month, Scituate has about a month and a half of inventory. That's a tight market.
Source: MLS Property Information Network, Scituate single family sales from the last 60 days, plus active, under agreement and contingent listings, as of October 24, 2026. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
What I'm seeing: Scituate is moving fast when the price is right. The median home had an accepted offer in just 8 days. Buyers are still being choosy, though. The homes that are sitting are mostly the ones priced above what recent sales support, especially at $2 million and up. A home that's priced to be the best option in its range gets attention in the first week. A home that isn't can sit for months.
What Scituate Sellers Should Know
Septic or sewer. Scituate is a mix. The harbor area and parts of town are on sewer, and many homes have private septic, which means a Title 5 inspection when they sell (1620 Sanitation). The town is also moving forward with a sewer expansion around Gannett Road, Country Way and the North Scituate station (South Shore Times). I confirm which one your home has before we list, so there are no surprises.
Flood zones and flood insurance. In the coastal neighborhoods, including Humarock, Minot, the Cliffs and the beach areas, buyers will ask about the flood zone and the cost of flood insurance right away. Having an elevation certificate and an insurance quote ready can keep a buyer from walking away.
Property taxes. The Fiscal Year 2026 tax rate is $9.83 per $1,000 of assessed value (Town of Scituate Assessor).
Pricing by neighborhood. A Minot oceanfront home and a Greenbush ranch near the train attract very different buyers. When I prepare a market analysis, I compare your home to recent sales in your own neighborhood and price range, not just the town median.
How I Help Scituate Sellers
- A detailed market analysis with three pricing options and a recommendation
- Staging and decorator support
- Professional photography, twilight photos, video and coastal marketing
- Septic, sewer and flood zone questions answered before we list, not during the sale
- Direct broker attention from start to finish, from a broker right next door in Marshfield
See homes for sale in Scituate | What's my home worth?
Common Questions
How long does it take to sell a home in Scituate?
Over the last 60 days, the median Scituate home had an accepted offer in 8 days and spent 23 days on the market.
Is Scituate on town sewer?
Partly. The harbor area and parts of town have sewer, and many homes are on private septic and need a Title 5 inspection when they sell (1620 Sanitation).
Can I take the train to Boston from Scituate?
Yes. Scituate has two commuter rail stations, North Scituate and Greenbush, and the ride to South Station takes about 45 minutes (Wikipedia).
Is Humarock part of Scituate or Marshfield?
Humarock is part of Scituate, but you can only drive there through Marshfield (Wikipedia).
What is the property tax rate in Scituate?
$9.83 per $1,000 of assessed value for Fiscal Year 2026 (Town of Scituate Assessor).
Janet E. Gillis, Broker and Owner, REALTOR, ABR
Town & Country Realty Massachusetts LLC
1 Snow Rd, Suite 1A, Marshfield, MA 02050
339-933-0932 | Janet@mytownandcountryrealty.com