How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House? Full Breakdown of Home Selling Expenses

Posted On: 30 Jun, 2025
6 min read

Those who are selling their home will have to do much more than simply find a buyer. There are a lot of different costs associated with home sales that impact the final profit that is made. This article will break down these expenses so that home sellers can budget more effectively ahead of time.

Key Takeaways

Cost Of Selling A House: Total Cost Estimate

Homeowners can usually expect to pay anywhere from 6%-10% of their home’s sale price in total selling costs.

Take a $600,000 home for example. The breakdown of these costs may look something like:

Real Estate Commission	$30,000
Closing/Legal Fees	$1,200
Repairs & Prep	$3,500
Moving	$1,500
Misc. Taxes/Fees	$2,000
Total	About $38,000

This same $600,000 sale price may have different selling costs depending on the state. For example:

State	Real Estate Commission	Closing/Legal Fees	Repairs & Prep	Moving	Misc. Taxes/Fees	Total Cost
California	$30,840 (5.14% average)	$6,000 (1.0% average)	$3,500 (varies)	$1,500 (varies)	$2,000 (varies)	$43,840
Texas	$36,000 (6.0% average)	$9,000 (1.5% average)	$3,500 (varies)	$1,500 (varies)	$2,000 (varies)	$52,000
New York	$27,960 (4.66% average)	$18,600 (3.1% average)	$3,500 (varies)	$1,500 (varies)	$2,000 (varies)	$53,560
Florida	$33,180 (5.53% average)	$13,800 (2.3% average)	$3,500 (varies)	$1,500 (varies)	$2,000 (varies)	$53,980
Illinois	$31,740 (5.29% average)	$12,600 (2.1% average)	$3,500 (varies)	$1,500 (varies)	$2,000 (varies)	$51,340

Real Estate Agent Commissions

The commission fees that are owed to real estate agents are often the biggest costs associated with selling a home. The cost generally falls between 5% and 6% of the home’s sale price. For example, someone selling a property for $500,000 may owe about $25,000–$30,000 in commissions. This amount of money is usually divided between the agents of the buyer and the seller.

These fees are able to be negotiated in most cases. The exact amount that will be owed to cover these fees may vary depending on the market and the service level. Full-service agents cost more than discount brokerage agents. However, discount brokerages may have fewer agents to choose from and may offer more limited services.

Selling to a cash home buyer like Sell Soon Homes can help the seller skip these fees. We buy houses in as-is condition without marketing or realtor fees.

Legal or Escrow Fees

Legal and escrow fees are also required to be paid for contracts, the paperwork for closing, and transferring the title of the property. The cost generally falls between 1% and 2% of the home’s purchase price. However, some companies may charge flat fees of about $500-$2,000 or an hourly rate instead. Having an attorney involved in all real estate closings is a requirement in some states and provinces.

Mortgage Payoff and Prepayment Penalties

Those who still have not paid off their mortgages will likely owe the remainder of this money to the lender at closing. Those who pay back fixed-term mortgages too soon may also be responsible for paying an additional prepayment penalty. The amount is often based on a set percentage of what’s still owed on the mortgage. Sellers who are repaying their mortgages back early should request a mortgage payoff statement to get a more accurate estimate of how much they will owe.

Seller Closing Costs

Closing costs can vary a lot depending on the region. However, they usually total around 2%–5% of the total purchase price. These closing costs can include a variety of expenses. They might include title insurance costs (depending on the region) or transfer taxes/stamp duty. Sellers might also be responsible for a share of property taxes and HOA dues. Recording fees and courier charges may also be owed to government agencies.

Moving Expenses

Those who will be moving from the property after selling will also have to factor in their moving costs. Moving costs often range anywhere from $500 to $3,000+. It may be more expensive to move into larger properties or into properties that are a further distance away. Moving costs will include the trucks and any supplies that are needed to pack. It also includes any movers that are hired. Those who may have to wait between a gap from when they sell their property and when they purchase a new one may also factor in storage fees.

Capital Gains Taxes (If Applicable)

Primary residences in Canada are usually exempt from capital gains taxes. However, those in the U.S. may still owe these taxes on their property once it is sold if profits from the sale are over $250,000 (or over $500,000 if it is the home of a married couple). Investment property and second home sellers are usually still responsible for paying capital gains tax. Sellers can contact an accountant to get more specific information. Rules for these taxes may differ depending on the country or region.

Optional Costs

There are some additional optional costs that may also need to be factored into the cost of selling the property. This includes the cost of cleaning or decluttering the property in preparation for the sale. It could also include costs for landscaping or any repairs or renovations that are used to increase the value of the property.

There may also be additional money used to stage the home or take photos for listing and marketing the property. Home staging fees usually cost somewhere between $800 and $3,000. Photography is usually an additional $200-$400 for each hour the photographer’s services are used. There may also be more expensive packages for aerial photography and day rates.

The Bottom Line

It can be costly to sell a home. Knowing the expenses to budget for ahead of time can help sellers avoid surprises and make better decisions. Sellers should talk with a real estate agent or financial advisor before trying to sell. They will walk them through their local obligations and can help them maximize the profits they will make from selling the property.

Alternatively, sellers can also use our free tool to calculate the cost of selling a house.

Visit Sell Soon Homes today to sell your house quickly and without the burden of additional fees and selling costs.

FAQs

1. What are the expenses of a home sale?

Typical expenses include real estate agent commissions and legal or escrow fees. They may also include closing costs, repairs/prep work, and moving expenses. Sellers may also have to pay various taxes or government fees. Optional costs like staging and marketing may also apply.

2. Can homeowners reduce costs by selling without an agent?

Selling without a real estate agent—known as FSBO (For Sale By Owner)—can help avoid commission fees. However, sellers take on more responsibility. The seller may also choose to sell to a cash buyer like Sell Soon Homes instead. This would eliminate agent fees altogether.

3. Does the buyer or the seller pay the closing costs?

Closing costs are usually paid by both the buyer and the seller of the property. Sellers usually pay for legal fees and title transfers. They are also usually responsible for local taxes. Buyers usually pay for inspections and mortgage-related costs.

Sources