Closing Costs When Selling a House
Both buyers and sellers have closing costs associated with a transaction. Therefore, before listing your property for sale, it's important to estimate the expenses you'll need to pay to determine the amount you can count on once the transaction is complete.
Common Closing Costs for the Seller
- Mortgage Balance: The balance of the existing loan, second mortgage, and home equity lines of credit.
- Loan Payoff Fee: An administrative fee charged by the lender to pay off the loan.
- Debt Release: Money owed to contractors and/or for court judgments or property taxes. These amounts must be paid before closing.
- Prepayment Penalty: Some loans have a penalty for early repayment of the debt.
- Recording Fees: Fees to document that debts have been paid in full.
- Commissions: Fees paid to real estate brokers involved in the transaction. Typically, this is 6% of the sale price and is paid entirely by the seller.
- Notary Fees: Fees charged by the notary to verify the identity of the document signers.
- Escrow Fees: Fees for agents who handle funds from the lender, pay all costs, collect deposits, and distribute the proceeds to the lender/seller.
- Title Search Costs: Proof that the seller has the legal right to sell the house. Title companies search public records and produce a title insurance commitment certifying that the seller owns the house and detailing any liens or other rights affecting the title.
- Seller Concessions: Amount the seller agrees to give to help the buyer pay their closing costs.
- Repairs: Work that the seller must complete (if applicable) before the sale, either as a result of buyer negotiation or as a lender condition.
- Home Warranty: Protection plan for the buyer's first year in the home.
- Termite Warranty: Documentation used in some parts of the country indicating that the house is free of termites.
How to Estimate Closing Costs?
For practical purposes, seller closing costs can be estimated as follows:
- 5% of the sale price, PLUS
- Accrued property taxes to date, PLUS
- Existing mortgages and/or lines of credit on the property, PLUS
- Commissions (typically 6% of the sale price)
Enrique Vicente Urdaneta
Real Estate Advisor | eXp Realty | EVU Luxury Homes
305.209.6418
www.instagram.com/evuluxuryhomes
Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is intended to provide a general understanding of the topic. However, please note that I am a real estate agent, not a lawyer, accountant, tax, or financial advisor. This content should not be taken as legal, tax, accounting, or financial advice. The laws and regulations related to this topic can be complex and may change or expand in the future. Therefore, it is crucial to consult with a qualified professional, such as a specialized financial or tax advisor, before making any decision based on this information. As a real estate agent, I can provide various options and professional guidance related to the real estate aspects of your investment strategy, and for matters related to tax implications, legal issues, and financial planning, please consult with the appropriate professionals, which whom I have allies I can refer.
