Seller Closing Costs: What You’ll Pay When Selling a House (2026)
Closing Costs → Seller’s Guide
💰 Seller’s Complete Guide

What Does the Seller Pay
at Closing?

Sellers typically keep far less than the sale price. Here’s every fee that comes out before you see your proceeds.

Typical Seller Closing Costs
6%–10%
of the home sale price
Guide: 1. Overview › 2. Buyer Costs › 3. Who Pays? › 4. Seller Costs › 5. By State

Seller Net Proceeds Calculator

Enter your sale price and mortgage balance to see what you’ll actually walk away with.

Sale Price
Total Costs
You Walk Away With

Every Seller Closing Cost — Itemized

Here’s every fee that comes out of the seller’s proceeds at closing, from largest to smallest:

Real Estate Agent Commissions

The single largest cost for most sellers. Traditionally 5–6% split between the listing agent and buyer’s agent. Post-2024 NAR settlement, rates are fully negotiable — Redfin typically charges 1–1.5% for the listing side, while traditional brokerages like RE/MAX charge 2.5–3%.

Largest Cost
5–6% $22,500–$27,000 on $450K

Transfer Taxes / Documentary Stamps

A government tax on the transfer of property. Rates vary widely by state — from 0.1% in Texas to 2%+ in Washington state. In some states (Florida, New York), the seller always pays; in others it’s negotiated.

State Dependent
0.1–2% $450–$9,000 on $450K

Owner’s Title Insurance

Protects the buyer against past title defects. In most states, sellers pay for the owner’s policy. Title companies like First American, Fidelity National, and Old Republic issue these — your escrow company will order it.

Usually Seller’s
$800–$2,000 One-time at closing

Mortgage Payoff

Your remaining mortgage balance is paid off from the sale proceeds. Contact your servicer (Wells Fargo, Nationstar, Mr. Cooper, etc.) for a payoff quote — it includes interest through the closing date.

Varies Widely
Balance + Accrued interest

Escrow / Settlement Fee

Paid to the title or escrow company managing the closing. Often split 50/50 with the buyer, though this is negotiable.

Often Split
$500–$1,500 Seller’s share

Prorated Property Taxes

You pay property taxes for the portion of the year you owned the home. The exact amount depends on your local tax rate and closing date.

Prorated
Varies Days owned ÷ 365

HOA Transfer Fee

If your home is in a homeowners association, there’s typically a transfer fee to update ownership records. Amount set by the HOA.

If Applicable
$100–$400 HOA dependent

How to Reduce Your Biggest Cost: Agent Commissions

Since commissions represent 5–6% of the sale price — often $20,000–$30,000 — it’s worth understanding your options:

Agent Commission Comparison

How major real estate platforms compare on listing fees (seller’s agent side only):

Traditional Agent (RE/MAX, Keller Williams)
2.5–3%
Full service, local expertise, highest cost
Redfin
1–1.5%
Tech-assisted, salaried agents, lower fees
Opendoor (iBuyer)
5–6% fee
Cash offer, no showings, but often below market price
Offerpad (iBuyer)
6% fee
Similar to Opendoor — convenience vs price tradeoff
Flat Fee MLS
$300–$1,000
List on MLS yourself; still pay buyer’s agent 2–3%
FSBO (For Sale By Owner)
0% listing
No listing fee, but still may pay buyer’s agent
2024 NAR settlement impact: Following a landmark antitrust ruling, buyer agent commissions are no longer set by MLS rules. Sellers no longer have to offer a set commission to attract buyers — Zillow, Realtor.com, and Redfin have all updated their platforms to reflect the new rules. This is expected to reduce total commissions by 1–2% over time.

Real Example: What a Seller Actually Gets

Here’s what a typical seller sees on a $450,000 home with a $200,000 remaining mortgage:

Sale price$450,000
Agent commissions (5.5%)− $24,750
Mortgage payoff− $200,000
Transfer taxes (0.4%)− $1,800
Owner’s title insurance− $1,200
Escrow / settlement fee− $800
Prorated taxes & misc− $1,500
Net Proceeds to Seller$19,950

* This example assumes California transfer tax rate and a 5.5% commission. Your actual proceeds will vary based on location, negotiated rates, and mortgage balance.

What’s the Average Closing Cost in Your State?

Closing costs vary significantly by state — from under 1% to over 4%. See how your state compares and what percentage to budget.

See Closing Costs by State →