Selling Costs Calculator
Selling a home involves more than just listing it for a price. To understand how much money you’ll actually walk away with, it’s crucial to account for all associated selling costs. Our Selling Costs Calculator gives you a complete estimate of your total expenses and the percentage of your sale price consumed by fees.
What This Calculator Does
This tool helps homeowners and real estate sellers:
- Estimate realtor and buyer agent fees
- Account for attorney and closing costs
- Include home inspection, staging, and marketing expenses
- Calculate transfer, recording, warranty, and miscellaneous fees
- See total selling costs and costs as a percentage of the sale price
By entering your property details and fees, you can instantly see a breakdown of your selling expenses and your net proceeds.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Enter Final Sale Price
Input your expected selling price of the home. - Realtor Fee (%)
Default is 6%, but adjust according to your agreement. - Buyer Agent Fee (%)
Often set at 3%, but can vary. - Closing Attorney Fee
Enter costs for attorney services during closing. - Home Inspection
Include any pre-sale or buyer-required inspection costs. - Staging Fees
Input the cost of preparing your home for sale. - Photography & Marketing
Include professional photos, virtual tours, and marketing campaigns. - Transfer & Recording Fees
Government or administrative costs for the legal transfer of property. - Home Warranty
Optional but can increase buyer confidence. - Other Expenses
Include miscellaneous fees like courier, document prep, or repairs. - Click “Calculate”
View total selling costs, breakdown per category, and costs as a percentage of your sale price.
Example Calculation
Let’s say you sell your home for $500,000 and enter:
- Realtor Fee: 6% → $30,000
- Buyer Agent Fee: 3% → $15,000
- Closing Attorney: $1,500
- Home Inspection: $500
- Staging Fees: $2,000
- Photography & Marketing: $1,000
- Transfer & Recording: $800
- Home Warranty: $600
- Other Expenses: $600
Total Selling Costs: $30,000 + $15,000 + $1,500 + $500 + $2,000 + $1,000 + $800 + $600 + $600 = $52,500
Costs as % of Sale Price: $52,500 ÷ $500,000 × 100 = 10.5%
This means you keep $447,500 after all selling costs.
Why Use This Calculator?
- Avoid surprises at closing
- Plan finances before listing your property
- Negotiate fees with agents or service providers
- Compare scenarios with different commission or expense levels
- Estimate cost percentage to evaluate the efficiency of your sale
Tips to Reduce Selling Costs
- Negotiate commission percentages with agents.
- Compare attorneys and escrow providers for competitive pricing.
- Prepare your home efficiently to reduce staging and inspection fees.
- Check for redundant administrative or marketing charges.
- Always review the closing disclosure for accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does this include mortgage payoff?
No, this calculator focuses on selling costs only. Mortgage payoff should be calculated separately.
2. Are realtor and buyer agent fees mandatory?
Typically, yes, unless using alternative selling methods.
3. Can I include repairs or upgrades?
Yes, add them under “Other Expenses.”
4. How accurate is the calculator?
It provides an estimate based on your inputs; actual costs may vary by location and service provider.
5. Is this calculator free?
Yes, it’s completely free to use.
Bottom Line
Your sale price is only part of the story. Understanding your total selling costs ensures you know your net proceeds and avoid surprises. Use our calculator to plan ahead, price your home wisely, and sell smarter.