How much does it cost to sell a house? Overall expenses

What you’ll learn ✅

— What sellers typically pay during a sale and how those costs show up

— Which expenses are predictable and which change based on unique circumstances

— Which ways sellers reduce costs

Selling a home is pretty straightforward on paper. List the property, accept an offer, and move to your new place. As closing approaches, however, you realize the overall costs for selling a house are larger than you anticipated.

Some fees are obvious enough, like paying your agent and remaining mortgage balance. Others occur gradually during closing, after inspections, and once you move into your next home. Knowing where the money goes ahead of time helps you avoid surprises and decide which expenses make sense for your situation.

The following guide explains how much it costs to sell a house and which fees can shape your final proceeds.

What does it cost to sell a house?

In most cases, sellers pay between 6–10% of the home’s sale price. The most common expenses include real estate agent commissions, closing costs, and repairs. 

However, there are a mix of other costs that depend on your situation and the current market. For example, a seller in a competitive area with multiple offers may pay less than someone selling a slower-moving home that needs repairs or concessions.

One way to think about the fees for selling a home is like packing for a move. The biggest items are visible — like sofas and beds. But you’ll notice smaller things along the way, like clothes and shoes. Combined, they can meaningfully impact how big of a moving van you’ll need.

What fees does a seller pay when selling a house?

Here are a few of the most common expenses sellers absorb during a home sale. Some are predictable from the start, while others develop as the transaction moves forward.

Real estate agent commissions

If you’re working with a real estate agent, you typically pay them through the sale of the home. This is often the largest expense. In many markets, sellers pay around 5–6% of the selling house price. 

Traditionally, sellers split this fee between the listing agent and the buyer’s agent, though they’re no longer required to pay the buyer’s end. 

That percentage isn’t fixed, and agent commission negotiation is fairly common if demand is strong and the home is expected to sell quickly. Others accept a higher rate in exchange for pricing guidance, marketing support, and negotiation assistance. 

Closing costs

Sellers pay a percentage of the sale price during closing, usually 1–3%. These real estate selling fees cover items like title services, escrow costs, and transfer taxes.

Which closing costs to consider and how much you’ll pay varies by location. For instance, it’s more common for buyers to pay transfer taxes in Florida. In Pennsylvania, buyers and sellers usually split them — and the price is higher. Conversely, a few states, like Texas and Alaska, don’t impose transfer taxes at all. Check your local regulations before selling to see what you’ll be responsible for.

Mortgage payoff

If you’re selling a house with an ongoing mortgage, you pay the remaining balance at closing. This isn’t an added fee, but it directly affects how much cash you receive.

Your mortgage payoff includes the outstanding principal plus any interest accrued through the closing date. This expense can feel especially overwhelming if you’re buying another home and plan to roll the sale proceeds into a new purchase. 

If you’re exploring a new loan, Better helps you compare transparent mortgage rates and understand the costs early in the process. We offer a smooth process that aligns with your sale timing strategy, so you can speed through pre-approval and closing.

...in as little as 3 minutes – no credit impact

Property taxes

The settlement agent distributes the property taxes at closing. You pay for the portion of the year you owned the home, and the buyer covers the rest.

Reassessments and local tax rules can affect how much is due, so this figure may differ from your most recent tax bill.

Seller concessions

Seller concessions are credits you offer the buyer to sweeten the deal. These may cover part of the buyer’s closing costs and repairs. For example, a seller may add a $1,500 credit to cover an outdated water heater.

These concessions are more common in slower markets. Sellers may be motivated to sell and move quickly but have few offers. While a couple of concessions will reduce net proceeds, they may accelerate the close of the sale.

Moving expenses

Moving costs can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, depending on whether the move is local or long distance. These fees sit outside the closing statement, but they still affect your total budget.

What are the optional costs associated with selling a house?

The costs below aren’t required in every sale, but they can come up depending on the condition of the property and your sale process. Here are a few to consider:

— Home repairs: Some sellers handle repairs before listing, while others wait to see what comes up during home inspections. Small fixes like paint and minor landscaping may help a house show better. If sellers neglect larger repairs, like outdated appliances and roof tiles, buyers may use them as negotiation points to lower the purchase price.

— Home staging: Staging enhances a home’s visual appeal and may make it sell faster. These fees can include consultations, new furniture, and professional lighting. Many modern sellers use virtual staging to lower these costs, opting for digitally altered images instead of physical changes.

— Pre-listing inspections: A pre-listing inspection offers advanced insight into potential issues. While optional, it can reduce surprises later and inform pricing decisions.

— Professional photography: High-quality photos are usually part of an agent’s services, but some sellers pay separately for photography, video, and floor plans.

How much does it cost to sell a house overall? A practical example

Here’s an example of how selling expenses might add up for a $500,000 home:

This seller would pay about 9.2% of the purchase price in total selling costs. The remaining proceeds would go toward funding the next move.

How can sellers reduce the cost of selling a house?

Here are a few ways to lower selling costs, depending on your situation:

— Selling the home yourself: Some sellers choose to skip an agent and handle the sale on their own. This reduces commission costs, though it means taking on pricing, marketing, and negotiation work yourself.

— Negotiating a lower commission: Commission rates aren’t set in stone. In some markets, agents may agree to a lower rate, especially if they expect the home to sell quickly.

— Listing during a seller’s market: When demand is high and inventory is low, sellers may receive offers without extensive staging and pricey concessions.

— Selling as-is: Sellers can sidestep costly repairs and concessions by listing the house as-is, though this usually reduces the overall sale price.

Manage the process clearly with Better

There’s no way around selling costs, but knowing where they tend to surface lets you plan your budget in advance. Seeing how expenses fit together, from photography to commissions, helps you estimate your final sale price and move into your next home confidently. If you’re looking to streamline the process, reach out to Better.

Our digital platform turns a hectic ride into a smooth journey. Buying and selling seems like a tough juggling act, but when you work with Better, you can easily manage tight schedules and close on time. Plus, if you work with a Better Agent and finance with Better Mortgage, you could save up to $2,000 in closing costs — a nice way to save on your overall expenses.

Enjoy a fast, affordable process with Better.

...in as little as 3 minutes – no credit impact

FAQ

How do you calculate your net proceeds after selling a house?

Start with the sale price. Subtract fees like agent commissions, mortgage payoff, and seller concessions. What remains is your net proceeds.

What costs can vary the most when selling a house by state or location?

The most common costs that change with location are transfer taxes and property taxes. There are also certain closing expenses, like title fees and attorney charges, that range widely by state and region.