What it really costs to sell a house
The costs sellers forget to count: commissions, repairs, prep, carrying costs and fees at settlement, and how to compare offers by what you keep.
The sale price is the number everyone talks about. What matters is what you keep. Here are the costs that sit between the two, so you can compare any offer fairly.
1. Agent commissions
If you list with an agent, the commission is usually the largest single cost. How commissions are set and who pays the buyer’s agent has changed in recent years, so ask your agent to spell out exactly what you’ll pay and when.
2. Repairs and requests after inspection
Even if you don’t fix anything before listing, buyers often ask for repairs or credits after their inspection. Lenders can require certain repairs too.
3. Getting the house ready
Cleaning, painting, landscaping, staging, photos and storage for your belongings all add up, along with your time.
4. Carrying costs while you wait
Every month the house is on the market, you keep paying for it:
- Mortgage payment and interest
- Property taxes
- Insurance
- Utilities, lawn care and upkeep
These are easy to overlook, and they matter most when a house sits longer than planned.
5. Fees at settlement
At settlement, sellers commonly pay things like title or escrow fees, transfer taxes or recording fees, a prorated share of property taxes, and payoffs of any loans or liens. Who pays which fee depends on where the house is and what the agreement says.
6. Concessions
Buyers sometimes ask sellers to cover part of their costs or give a credit at closing. That comes straight out of what you keep.
How to compare offers
Ask for a net sheet: an estimate of what you’d walk away with after every cost. Then compare offers on three things:
- What you keep, after all costs
- How likely it is to close, including financing and inspection risk
- When it closes, and what you pay to carry the house until then
A higher price with more costs, more risk and a longer wait isn’t always the better deal. Sometimes it is. The net sheet tells you.
How it works with us
There are no agent commissions for you, no repairs, no prep and no showings, and you pick the timeline we work toward. We walk you through costs up front so you know what to expect. See our FAQ or tell us about the house.
This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. For your situation, talk with a licensed professional.
