Repair Costs, Home Improvements, and Pre‐Sale Work

Preparing your home for sale often requires repair costs or home improvements that can exceed thousands of dollars. Average pre‑sale repairs often run around $14,000 or more, while staging adds another $800–$2,800. These expenses add to the cost to sell, and combined with closing process delays they eat into equity.

Scheduling a home inspection before listing can help home sellers identify issues early, allowing repairs to be made proactively rather than negotiating repairs after an inspection report from potential buyers. Offering a home warranty can also make your home stand out and give buyers peace of mind, potentially helping you fetch top dollar.

Holding Costs and Seller Concessions

Owning a home while it’s on the market means continuing to pay property taxes, homeowners insurance, utilities, and maintenance. Seller concessions, like credits toward the buyer's closing costs or repairs identified in an inspection report, further reduce your net proceeds. Both can vary widely depending on market conditions and negotiation power.

Capital Gains Taxes and Recently Paid Taxes

If you sell your primary residence, you may be eligible for capital gains exclusions, but if you don't qualify or you're selling a secondary property, capital gains taxes could apply. You may also owe property taxes that you've recently paid or need to be prorated.

Legal Costs and Real Estate Attorney Fees

In some states using a real estate attorney is mandatory. Attorney fees or legal fees factor into seller closing costs and typically range from $1,000 to several thousand dollars depending on complexity.

Moving Costs and Other Unexpected Fees

Moving expenses can include hiring moving costs, renting trucks, or renting furniture to stage your home. Local moves average around $7,600 and long-distance moves average $9,140. Preparing binding estimates helps reduce these variable costs.

Putting It All Together: Cost Breakdown on a $600,000 Home Sale

Here’s a detailed estimate for a home with a sale price of $600,000:

• Real estate agent commissions (5–6%): $30,000–$36,000
• Seller closing costs (1.8%–3%): $10,800–$18,000
• Prorated property taxes: Varies
• Transfer tax: Varies
• Title insurance and escrow fees: $1,000–$3,000+
• Attorney fees: $1,000–$3,000+
• Repair costs and staging: $10,000–$20,000+
• Seller concessions: $5,000–$10,000+
• Moving costs: $5,000–$10,000+
• Home inspection: $300–$500
• Home warranty: $300–$600
• Homeowners insurance (prorated): Varies

Total estimated cost to sell: $62,000 to over $100,000 (about 10%–17% of the total sale price).

Why These Costs Vary Widely Depending on Location and Circumstance

Costs like transfer tax, property taxes, HOA fees, and attorney fees depend on your jurisdiction and local laws. Unexpected issues like outstanding liens, inspection failures, or buyer financing problems can add extra expense or force renegotiation.

Alternatives to Traditional Sales

To avoid all these fees, many sellers pursue alternatives:

• Flat‑fee MLS listings allow paying a single flat fee while still exposing the home for sale via MLS
• As is cash offers eliminate the need for repairs, staging, agent commissions, or a drawn-out closing process
• Recent industry shifts, especially after the National Association of Realtors settlement, have let buyers pay their own agent, reducing seller burden

Frequently Asked Selling Costs in 2025 Questions

How much does it cost to sell a house?

Selling a house typically costs between 10% and 15% of the home's sale price. This includes agent commissions, closing costs, repairs, and any concessions you may offer. The exact amount varies based on your location and the condition of your home.

What’s the average closing costs for sellers?

Seller closing costs usually range from 1.8% to 3% of the sale price. These costs cover fees like title insurance, escrow fees, transfer taxes, and prorated property taxes. The total depends on local laws and your specific transaction.

How much are real estate agent commissions?

Real estate agent commissions average between 5% and 6% of the sale price. However, commissions can sometimes be negotiated down, especially in competitive markets or with flat-fee services.

Who pays transfer tax and prorated property taxes?

Sellers generally pay the transfer tax and their share of prorated property taxes at closing. These fees are included in the seller’s closing costs and vary by jurisdiction.

Are attorney fees required?

Attorney fees depend on your state’s laws and the complexity of the sale. In some states, hiring a real estate attorney is mandatory, while in others it’s optional but recommended for a smooth closing.

Do sellers pay buyer’s closing costs or concessions?

Sellers may agree to pay part of the buyer’s closing costs or offer concessions as negotiation incentives. This is common in slower markets to help close the deal.

What are typical home repair costs before selling?

Most sellers invest in repairs and improvements to boost curb appeal and attract buyers. Typical costs can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars depending on the home's condition.

How does the remaining mortgage balance affect selling costs?

The remaining balance on your existing mortgage must be paid off at closing. This payoff amount, including any prepayment penalties, will be deducted from your sale proceeds before you receive money in your bank account.

Final Thoughts

The cost to sell a home extends far beyond just the real estate agent commission. To truly understand how much you’ll spend, plan for closing costs, taxes, repairs, legal fees, moving costs, and negotiation concessions. These expenses can reach into the tens of thousands of dollars or more depending on your home’s purchase price and local factors.

If you're looking for an easier path, consider alternative methods like flat‑fee MLS or cash as is offers, which help preserve equity and simplify the selling process.

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