Closing Costs for Sellers — What You Pay and Net Proceeds Guide
Sellers pay fewer types of closing costs than buyers, but the amounts can still be significant. The largest variable is the state deed transfer tax, which ranges from nothing (Texas) to over 1% (Florida, New York) depending on where you sell.
What Sellers Typically Pay at Closing
| Cost | Who Sets It | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|
| State Deed / Transfer Tax | State statute | 0%–1.425%+ (varies by state) |
| Title Insurance (owner's policy) | State DOI / market | 0.3%–0.6% of price (estimate) |
| Real Estate Agent Commission | Listing agreement | Negotiable (separate from closing costs) |
| HOA Transfer Fee | HOA bylaws | $100–$500 if applicable |
| Property Tax Proration | Closing date math | Varies (days owned × daily tax rate) |
| Recording Fee (deed release / payoff) | County clerk | $25–$150 |
| Attorney Fee (required in some states) | Market rate | $500–$1,500 |
Ranges are estimates except where marked statutory. Transfer tax is calculated by the calculator — select your state above.
Transfer Tax by State (Seller's Cost)
The deed transfer tax is one of the most impactful closing costs for sellers — and it varies dramatically by state:
| State | Rate | On $350,000 Sale | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 0.70% | $2,450 | §201.02(1)(a) F.S. |
| Texas | None | $0 | comptroller.texas.gov |
| California | 0.11% county | $385 | RTC §11911 |
| New York | 0.40% | $1,400 | Tax Law Art. 31 |
| New York City (+ RPTT) | +1.00%–1.425% | +$3,500–$4,988 | nyc.gov/finance |
| Georgia | ~0.10% | $350 | dor.georgia.gov |
All rates verified against primary sources, as of June 2026. Transfer tax figures are exact statutory calculations, not estimates.
Seller Net Sheet: How to Estimate Your Proceeds
A rough seller net sheet calculation:
- Start with the agreed sale price
- Subtract: mortgage payoff balance (get from your lender)
- Subtract: real estate agent commissions (per your listing agreement)
- Subtract: state deed transfer tax (use the calculator)
- Subtract: title insurance (owner's policy — get quote from title company)
- Subtract: property tax proration (estimated at closing)
- Subtract: any seller concessions agreed in the purchase contract
- = Estimated net proceeds
Your closing attorney or title company will prepare an official seller net sheet closer to closing. That document will have the exact figures.
States That Require Attorney Closings (Affects Sellers)
In some states, a licensed attorney must conduct the closing. This adds an attorney fee for the seller:
- Georgia: Attorney closing required by state law
- New York: Strong custom to use attorneys (both sides)
- South Carolina, North Carolina: Attorney closing required
- Florida, Texas, California: Title company/escrow can close without an attorney
← Use the Closing Costs Calculator | Closing costs for buyers | Transfer tax by state
Frequently Asked Questions
Sellers' closing costs (excluding real estate agent commissions) typically run 1%–3% of the sale price. The largest line item is usually the state deed transfer tax (where applicable), followed by the owner's title insurance policy. On a $350,000 home in Florida, the Documentary Stamp Tax alone is $2,450; in Georgia it's about $350; in Texas it's $0.
Texas sellers have no state deed transfer tax (verified: comptroller.texas.gov). Seller closing costs in Texas are relatively low: typically the owner's title insurance policy (by custom), any agreed concessions, HOA fees if applicable, and prorated property taxes. Excluding agent commissions, Texas seller costs often run 0.5%–1.5% of the sale price.
Yes. Sellers can shop for title insurance in states where it's negotiable, decline to pay buyer concessions, and negotiate the purchase contract. In some states, certain fees (like owner's title insurance) are negotiable between buyer and seller — in most states, someone must pay for it, but who pays is a negotiation point.
Sellers typically owe a property tax proration — property taxes accrued from the last payment date up to the closing date. If the seller has already paid property taxes for a period extending beyond closing, the buyer credits the seller back. This is not really a "cost" — it's a settlement of what's already owed.
Net proceeds = sale price minus mortgage payoff, minus agent commissions (if any), minus seller closing costs, minus property tax prorations, minus any seller concessions agreed in the contract. A rough planning figure: subtract 6%–10% from the sale price for all seller-side costs (commissions + closing costs). For precise numbers, request a seller net sheet from your real estate agent or closing attorney.