Cost to Sell a House (2026)
Last reviewed October 24, 2026
The seller-side cost stack centers on commission — roughly 2.5–2.8% for the listing agent plus ~2.4% seller-offered buyer-agent compensation (Redfin), about 5.4–5.7% combined — then transfer taxes (0% in 14 states up to 4%+ in Delaware), your state's title/settlement customs, and prorations. Every piece except the taxes is negotiable; nothing is a rule except the ones we cite.
The seller-side cost stack
| Cost | Typical | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Listing-agent commission | ~2.5–2.8% | Fully negotiable post-settlement; Redfin commissions report, May 2025. |
| Buyer-agent commission (seller-offered) | ~2.4% avg | Q1 2025 avg per Redfin; under-$500k homes ~2.49%, $1M+ ~2.17%. |
| Combined commission (two sides) | ~5.4–5.7% | Sellers still offer buyer-side comp on ~60–65% of listings. |
| Transfer taxes (state/county/city) | 0% → 4%+ combined | 14 states have zero; Delaware 4.0%, Philadelphia 4.278% — who pays is state custom. |
| Seller title costs | varies by state | Owner's-policy payer and settlement-fee share follow state custom. |
| Seller closing misc. | line items | Prorated taxes, HOA transfer/estoppel fees, attorney fee in attorney states, payoff/release fees. |
Commissions per Redfin's May 2025 report (post-NAR-settlement); transfer taxes per state compilations — verify any per-state rate against the state's DOR page before treating it as legal fact.
Why your state changes the answer
- Washington, DC: $17,545 avg purchase closing costs — the nation's highest: transfer + recordation taxes stacked (1.1%/1.45% + matching recordation).
- New York: $13,000+ avg; NYC adds 3–6%+ incl. local transfer + mansion tax; attorney-custom + rating-bureau title rates.
- Delaware: $12,000+ avg; 4.0% combined transfer tax (2.5% state + 1.5% local), split 50/50 — the highest flat transfer-tax burden.
- Texas / Florida / New Mexico: High title premiums from promulgated (fixed) rate models; FL adds doc stamps on the deed.
- Iowa: $1,640 avg — 2nd lowest: state-run Iowa Title Guaranty (private title insurance statutorily banned, 1947).
- South Dakota / Missouri: $1,551 / $1,740 avg — the lowest: no transfer tax, low home prices, market-rate title.
What the sale actually nets you
Selling costs are the other side of the ledger from what you keep. Our home sale proceeds calculator models the net after selling costs and mortgage payoff, the home value trends page frames what your home is worth, and closing costs, explained covers the buyer-side stack if you're selling and buying. If the question is whether to sell at all, the rent-vs-buy calculator compares holding against moving.
FAQs
How much does it cost to sell a house?
The dominant cost is commission: roughly 2.5–2.8% for the listing agent plus ~2.4% seller-offered buyer-agent comp (Redfin, Q1 2025) — about 5.4–5.7% combined, though everything is negotiable post-NAR-settlement. On top: transfer taxes (0% in 14 states up to 4%+ in Delaware/Philadelphia), your share of title/settlement costs by state custom, and prorated taxes or HOA fees.
Do I still have to pay the buyer's agent commission?
No — since the 2024 NAR settlement, buyer-agent compensation no longer displays on the MLS, buyers sign written agreements before touring, and it's fully negotiable. But sellers still offer buyer-side compensation on roughly 60–65% of listings (Redfin reporting), averaging ~2.4%, because it widens the buyer pool.
Which states have the highest selling costs?
Transfer-tax states: DC ($17,545 average purchase closing costs), New York ($13,000+), and Delaware (4.0% combined transfer tax) top the list per Bankrate's LodeStar analysis. South Dakota ($1,551), Iowa ($1,640), and Missouri ($1,740) sit at the bottom.
Sources
- Redfin — real estate commissions report, May 2025 (listing + buyer-agent commission averages post-NAR-settlement)
- Bankrate — average closing costs by state (LodeStar 2025 state averages incl. DC/NY/DE highest, SD/IA/MO lowest)
- PropertyShark — real estate transfer taxes by state (compilation; verify per-state rates with the state DOR)
Figures retrieved 2026-09-25 per the cited data layer (portfolio/research/geniusrealty/closing-costs-2026-09-25.md §2–§3); Bankrate's LodeStar numbers are loan-level averages (mix effects make high-price states look worse in dollars).