How much does it cost to sell a house?

Written by Michael FrankeLast reviewed: November 2, 2026

Selling a house usually costs the agent commissions you agree to, any concessions or repairs you give the buyer, your share of closing costs and your state's transfer tax, all taken out of the sale price at closing along with your mortgage payoff. Commissions are negotiable and not set by law. Transfer taxes range from nothing at the state level in Indiana to $4 per $1,000 in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

Key facts

Since August 17, 2024, buyer agent pay can no longer be offered on the MLS, and commissions are "fully negotiable and not set by law" (NAR).
Redfin's average buyer's agent commission was 2.42% in Q3 2025, based on its own transactions (Redfin).
Seller transfer taxes: Wisconsin $3 per $1,000, Georgia $1 per $1,000, Ohio $1 to $4 per $1,000 by county. Tennessee's tax is the buyer's by law, and Indiana charges a $20 sales disclosure fee.

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Agent commissions after the NAR settlement

The National Association of Realtors settlement changed how agents are paid starting August 17, 2024. Offers to pay a buyer's agent can no longer appear on the MLS, buyers must sign a written agreement with their agent before touring, and your listing agent must disclose and get your approval for any payment to a buyer's agent (NAR).

Commissions are negotiable. Redfin reported an average buyer's agent commission of 2.42% for homes it was involved in during Q3 2025 (Redfin). We have not found a reliable current figure for listing agent commissions, so ask each agent for their rate in writing.

Transfer taxes in the states we buy in

State	Transfer tax and who owes it
Indiana	No state deed transfer tax; a $20 sales disclosure form fee is filed with the county (DLGF)
Ohio	$1 per $1,000 statewide plus up to $3 per $1,000 county tax, levied on the seller (R.C. 319.54, 322.02)
Wisconsin	$3 per $1,000, paid by the seller (Wis. Stat. 77.22)
Tennessee	37 cents per $100, which the law makes the buyer's responsibility (TN Department of Revenue)
Georgia	$1 per $1,000, owed by the seller unless the contract shifts it (Georgia DOR)

Everything else that comes out at closing

A cash buyer that buys as-is and covers closing costs removes the commissions, repair credits and most closing fees from that list. What you give up is the difference between their offer and what the house might fetch on the open market after repairs, so compare the net figure, not the headline price. Our cash offer vs listing comparison walks through it.

Your mortgage payoff and any other liens, listed on the seller side of the closing statement (12 CFR 1026.38).
Property taxes owed up to the closing date, prorated with the buyer.
Title, escrow or attorney fees for your side of the deal, which vary by state and company.
Repairs or credits the buyer asks for after inspection.
Carrying costs while the house is listed: mortgage, taxes, insurance and utilities.

Frequently asked questions

What percentage do realtors take when you sell a house?

There is no set percentage; commissions are negotiable. Redfin's average buyer's agent commission was 2.42% in Q3 2025, and the listing agent's fee is separate.

Does the seller pay the transfer tax?

In Wisconsin, Georgia and Ohio the tax falls on the seller by default. In Tennessee the law makes it the buyer's. Indiana has no state transfer tax, only a $20 sales disclosure fee.

Are there costs if I sell to a cash buyer?

It depends on the buyer. We pay the closing costs and charge no commission, so the offer amount is what you receive, less your mortgage payoff and any liens or back taxes.

Sources

Checked against each source on November 2, 2026. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice.

NAR settlement FAQs (National Association of Realtors)
The average buyer's agent commission has risen slightly since new NAR rules (Q3 2025) (Redfin)
Legislative changes regarding the sales disclosure form (Indiana Department of Local Government Finance)
R.C. 319.54 (conveyance fee) (Ohio Revised Code)
R.C. 322.02 (county real property transfer tax) (Ohio Revised Code)
Wis. Stat. 77.22 (real estate transfer fee) (Wisconsin Legislature)
Realty Transfer Tax Manual (Tennessee Department of Revenue)
Real Estate Transfer Tax (Georgia Department of Revenue)
12 CFR 1026.38(k) (seller transactions on the Closing Disclosure) (Cornell Law School LII)