The True Cost of Selling a Home (Beyond the Listing Price)

When you're pricing out a home sale, it's easy to focus on the listing price and assume that's what lands in your pocket. In reality, there are several costs that come out before you see a final number, and knowing them ahead of time helps you plan your next move with a clear head.

The biggest chunk is usually real estate commission, typically split between the listing and buyer's agents. On top of that, sellers commonly cover title insurance and closing fees, transfer taxes, a prorated share of property taxes, and sometimes a home warranty or buyer credits negotiated during the deal. If your home needs repairs after inspection, those costs can add up too.

Don't forget the costs of getting your home ready to sell in the first place, things like staging, professional photography, minor repairs, and possibly a few weeks of overlapping mortgage payments if your timelines don't line up perfectly with your next purchase. Moving costs are easy to overlook until they show up on moving day.

The good news is that none of this has to be a surprise. Before you list, I put together a full net proceeds estimate so you know approximately what to expect at closing, not just what the sign in the yard says. If you're thinking about selling and want a clear picture of the numbers, let's sit down and go through it together.