How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House? (Price Guide)

Sellers rarely walk away with the full sale price. Agent commissions are usually the largest single cost, followed by closing costs, transfer taxes, and the expense of getting the home ready and moving out.

This guide breaks the total into its parts. Percentages apply to the sale price, so the dollar amount grows with the value of your home. Figures carry a check date of Oct 11, 2026 and come from published guides, not from a quote on your own sale.

NerdWallet puts total seller costs, including commissions, at 6% – 10% of the sale price. The spread is wide because commissions, taxes, and fees all differ by location and by the deal you negotiate.

Read the rows as separate items that stack. Agent pay on both sides is the largest piece in these figures, and the remaining closing costs come on top. The rows do not always add up for your sale, since title costs and transfer taxes depend on local custom and on what you negotiate with the buyer.

Commission is typically a percentage of the sale price paid out of the sale proceeds at closing. Rates are negotiable and vary by market. The table shows state averages from Bankrate for two large markets.

Talk to a real estate agent about the commission structure for your sale, including what services come with it and who pays what. Ask for the terms in writing before you sign a listing agreement.

Closing costs for sellers cover items such as title services, transfer taxes, recording, and administrative fees. Some are set by state or county, while others are negotiated.

• Transfer tax. Charged by some states, counties, or cities when ownership changes. Rates and who pays vary by location.
• Title costs. Often include title search and insurance. In some areas the seller customarily buys the buyer's policy.
• Recording and administrative fees. Smaller charges for processing and filing documents.
• Prorated costs. Property taxes and similar bills are typically split between you and the buyer based on the closing date.
• Mortgage payoff. Your remaining loan balance comes out of the proceeds, though it is not a cost of selling in the same sense.

Some expenses fall outside closing: repairs, cleaning, staging, photography, and moving. These depend on your home's condition and your plans.

Two well-known sources give very different totals because they count different things. One includes agent commissions, which are the largest piece. The other covers closing costs only.

Check whether a figure includes commissions before comparing it with another. Location, sale price, and local custom also move the totals.

• Commission terms. The rate you negotiate with your agent changes the biggest line.
• Location. Transfer taxes and title fees are set locally.
• Sale price. Percent-based costs rise with the price.
• Buyer concessions. A buyer may ask you to cover some of their costs as part of the offer.
• Home condition. Repairs and prep before listing add up.
• Timing. Moving costs and carrying a mortgage or taxes while the house sits on the market add expense.

• Compare commission terms from more than one agent.
• Get a net sheet from your agent that estimates what you will take home after costs.
• Ask the title or escrow company for a fee estimate early.
• Weigh repairs against the likely increase in sale price, since not every fix pays for itself.
• Look at the closing date to see how it affects prorated taxes.

For advice on your sale, talk to a real estate agent, and consider a tax professional about how the sale affects your taxes.