Cost to Sell a House Calculator

Total selling costs typically run 8-12% of sale price, broken down as: 4-6% real estate commissions (now negotiable separately for buyer agent under 2024 NAR settlement), 1-3% transfer/recording taxes (varies wildly by state - DE 4%, PA 2%, CT 1.25%, zero in ID/MS/MO/UT), 0.5-1% title insurance and escrow, $500-$1,500 attorney fees in attorney-required states, $2,000-$5,000 staging/repair/cleaning, plus mortgage payoff costs. On a $500K home, expect $40,000-$60,000 in total costs.

Before March 2024, MLS rules forced sellers to offer a "co-op commission" to the buyer's agent (typically 2-3%) as a condition of MLS listing - effectively making 5-6% total commission the de facto standard. Under the settlement, buyer-agent commission is now negotiated separately between buyer and their agent. Sellers can refuse to cover any buyer-agent fee, or offer concessions case-by-case. Average total commissions have dropped to ~4.5% but vary widely.

Trade speed and certainty for net proceeds. iBuyers charge 5-12% service fees plus typical repair credits - total cost often exceeds traditional sale. Best for: estate sales, relocation deadlines, distressed properties, inheritance scenarios where speed matters more than maximum price. Worst for: pristine homes in hot markets where competitive bidding would beat the iBuyer offer by 5-10%.

On paper yes; in practice rarely. NAR data shows FSBO homes sell for ~26% LESS on average than agent-listed homes - net loss usually exceeds saved commission. Exceptions: friends/family sales, single-buyer scenarios (existing tenant buying landlord's house), or experienced real-estate investors. Flat-fee MLS services ($200-$1,500) offer middle ground - gets you on MLS without paying full listing commission.