Selling Your Home
How much does it cost to sell a home?
By Steve Lockhart
The short answer
Sellers often assume the only cost is the listing commission. The list is longer.
Full answer
Sellers often assume the only cost is the listing commission. The list is longer. The biggest line is usually the commission you agree to in writing in the listing agreement, which is negotiable. Then come title and escrow fees, whatever the buyer requests in concessions or after inspection repairs, transfer fees and recording, the prorated taxes and HOA dues you owe through closing, your mortgage payoff, and sometimes an HOA resale package. Sellers also often pay to get the home ready: a deep clean, small repairs, and sometimes staging. None of these are fixed, and they change with neighborhood, offer, and agreement. A seller sheet puts every line on paper so you see the realistic range before you decide. Sellers who skip that paper are the ones who feel blindsided at closing, and I have watched that happen too many times.
Go a little deeper
Frequently asked
Questions sellers often follow up on
What is the biggest cost when selling?
Usually the agent commission, because it scales with the price, and it is negotiable and agreed in writing. After that, concessions, closing fees, and prorated items like taxes and HOA dues add up, which is why the whole net sheet matters more than any single line.
Are seller closing costs fixed?
No. They vary by transaction, neighborhood, and agreement. Escrow and title fees can be compared, taxes and HOA dues are set by the calendar, and concessions are negotiated. That is why each home and each offer gets its own honest sheet.
What if I do not have cash on hand for closing?
Most seller costs come out of your sale proceeds at closing, so you rarely pay up front. The exception is small amounts of prep work, for example, and any concession you agree to. We verify the sheet early so nothing personal is late.
The Lockhart Method
The Lockhart Method
Your Home | My Strategy | Proven Results
My strategy: build the full cost column before we talk price. Every seller gets a clear net sheet, we identify the lines that can move, and you decide what flexible and firm mean for your bottom line.
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