Cost of Selling a Home Calculator
Example: Expected sale price: 500000 $ · Agent commission: 5 % · Seller closing costs: 1.5 % · Staging & prep costs: 4000 $ · Remaining mortgage payoff: 280000 $
| Net proceeds to you | $183,500 |
| Total selling costs | $36,500 |
| Selling costs as % of price | 7.30% |
Worked example
Sell a home for $500,000 with a 5% agent commission ($25,000), 1.5% seller closing costs ($7,500), and $4,000 of staging and prep — about $36,500 in selling costs, or 7.3% of the price. Subtract those plus a $280,000 mortgage payoff, and your net proceeds are roughly $183,500. That is the cash you actually keep, well below the half-million headline.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to sell a home?
Selling costs commonly run 6 to 10% of the sale price once you add agent commission, seller closing costs, and prep. The largest piece is usually the agent commission, which has traditionally been in the 5 to 6% range and is negotiable.
Is the agent commission negotiable?
Yes. Commission rates are not fixed by law and can be negotiated, and recent industry changes have made buyer-agent compensation more openly negotiable too. Even a half-percent reduction on a large sale price saves thousands.
What are seller closing costs?
These can include transfer taxes, title fees, escrow or attorney fees, prorated property taxes, and any concessions to the buyer. They vary a lot by state and locality, so treat the percentage here as an estimate and confirm with your closing agent.
Will I owe capital gains tax on the sale?
Possibly, but many sellers of a primary residence qualify for a large capital-gains exclusion if they meet ownership and use tests. This calculator shows cash proceeds, not taxes — check current IRS rules or a tax professional for your situation.