How to Save Money Selling a House
Wondering how to save money selling a house? New rules regarding agent fees could help lower costs industrywide. Here's a look at other expenses that are negotiable.


Want to save money selling a house? Start by understanding the true costs associated with a sale. The cost to sell a house may drop soon due to a settlement with the National Association of Realtors over agent fees. But there are other costs beyond agent fees to consider. In fact, there's a wide range of costs you may not have thought of — and some areas where you may be able to cut costs.
Knowing the details of all the expenses to expect means you can stay on top of your finances, helping you avoid any nasty unexpected bills.
Here’s everything you need to know about the cost of selling a home and some tips on how to save money along the way.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
What is the cost of selling a house?
According to Shelly Salas, HomeLight elite agent in Killeen, Texas, the cost of selling a house depends on several factors, including the “house itself, the current state of your local market, the cost of living, as well as the list prices of other homes in your area.”
She says the average cost of selling a house is about $31,308, but there might be a “little bit of leeway to recoup some of the costs.”
“If we’re in a seller’s market, you might be able to get the buyer to cover more of the costs than usual, especially if various offers are coming through on the property.”
“If the market is more in favor of the buyer, you may have to do more of the heavy lifting by putting in additional work and money to help attract attention from buyers,” she explains.
Overall, a seller can expect to expend between “10 to 12% of the sales price” on sales-related costs, says Salas. That’s only a rough figure, as variables can bring the costs down significantly.
What is the agent commission when selling a house?
Agent commission is likely to be the largest of the costs involved in selling a house, but it isn’t a fixed amount. “The first thing all sellers should know is that commissions are negotiable,” says Salas. “There is no set amount that all agents charge.”
Shelley points to transactional data from HomeLight. It shows the national average real estate agent commission is 5.8% of the property sales price.
But over the past few years, agent commissions have averaged at about 5.47%, which covers both the listing agent and buyer’s agent fees.
That number is expected to change soon, after the National Association of Realtors agreed to pay $418 million and change its rules so as to settle a number of lawsuits over its industry practices. Under the new rules, a seller will no longer have to cover the commission earned by the buyer's agent. The settlement has received the preliminary approval from a judge, with the final approval set for the fall.
What are the marketing costs of selling a house?
Not all selling agents have the same fees and costs. Some agents may charge additional marketing and staging fees, but it varies from realtor to realtor.
Salas says: “When an agent markets your house, there are a few fees you might have to pay. Staging and prep costs can range between 1% and 4% of the typical sale price. When preparing your home for sale, it’s important to declutter ($400 for a dumpster rental) and deep clean the property ($300 per clean), apply a fresh coat of paint if needed ($1,900), brighten up the flooring ($1,800), spruce up your curb appeal ($3,500), and stage your home ($1,600).”
“A seller who completes all of the tasks above would spend nearly $9,500 getting their home ready to market, which comes to around 3% of today’s median home sale price, which sits at $357,300,” she said.
What is the cost of selling your home yourself?
Opting to sell your home yourself to save costs may end up saving you a small fortune in fees, but it does introduce some potential barriers to achieving a good sale price. Salas says the first thing to do is to set a “competitive price.”
Salas says: “Next, take professional photos of your home to attract a larger pool of potential buyers. Homes with high-quality photographs sell 32% faster than those without visuals, according to research from VHT Studios.”
It is also well worth ensuring the description is appealing and creative. Salas says: “Think about how you’d like to depict your home by painting a picture in the buyer’s mind about what sets your property apart from the others in your neighborhood. Highlighting your home’s outdoor features as well as energy-efficient features, which are top buyer preferences today, can also help attract potential buyers.”
Another important factor is to sell the location, particularly if your home is in a prime spot. Salas says: “HomeLight’s 2022 Buyer and Seller Insights report found that the top location-related features in a buyer’s home search include nearby necessities such as gas stations and grocery stores (49%); a walkable neighborhood (35%); a quality school district (31%); proximity to work (30%); and proximity to restaurants and shopping (24%).”
What taxes are payable when selling a house?
Agents’ fees aren’t the only costs to consider when selling a home. Salas says sellers are typically responsible for “prorated taxes from January 1st up to the day of the actual sale of the home,” while most settlement companies have further fees to pay.
On top of this come recording fees and document preparation fees. “These should all be included in the initial percentage cost breakdown that the agent presents to the seller during their initial consultation,” Salas says.
Also, there is no one party responsible for the closing costs, neither is there a set menu of what each side needs to pay. But someone will have to pay the transfer tax, title insurance, prorated property taxes, and homeowner association fees if applicable.
You could be asked to pay some of the buyer’s costs in a buyer’s market where there’s a surplus of homes for sale and low buyer demand.
Related Content
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

Tom is a journalist and writer with an interest in sustainability, economic policy and pensions, looking into how personal finances can be used to make a positive impact. He graduated from Goldsmiths, University of London, with a BA in journalism before moving to a financial content agency. His work has appeared in titles Investment Week and Money Marketing, as well as social media copy for Reuters and Bloomberg in addition to corporate content for financial giants including Mercer, State Street Global Advisors and the PLSA. He has also written for the Financial Times Group.
When not working out of the Future’s Cardiff office, Tom can be found exploring the hills and coasts of South Wales but is sometimes east of the border supporting Bristol Rovers.
-
Cord Cutting Could Help You Save Over $10,000 in 10 Years
How cutting the cord can save you money and how those savings can grow over time.
-
The '8-Year Rule of Social Security' — A Retirement Rule
The '8-Year Rule of Social Security' holds that it's best to be like Ike — Eisenhower, that is. The five-star General knew a thing or two about good timing.
-
Tips for Expat Retirees, From Expat Retirees
You may enjoy a lower cost of living by moving abroad, but it requires careful planning.
-
Your Home + Your IRA = Your Long-Term Care Solution
If you're worried that long-term care costs will drain your retirement savings, consider a personalized retirement plan that could solve your problem.
-
How to Choose a Mortgage Lender in Five Steps
Not all lenders are created equal — here’s how to compare offers, rates and terms with confidence.
-
Real Estate Bridge Funds: An Expert Guide to Investing in a Volatile Market
Investors looking for passive income are buying into these funds, which offer capital to borrowers for short-term financing.
-
I'm 52 With $2.1 Million in Retirement Savings: Can I Afford a Second Home?
Buy a second home now, or wait until retirement? It depends.
-
What to Know About Mortgage Escrow Accounts
Escrow accounts ensure that you pay your bills for home insurance and property taxes.
-
Retire in Ecuador for an Affordable, Rich Life
Ecuador offers one of the world’s most painless visa processes in a country rich with biodiversity.
-
Retirement Reimagined: Finding Your Tribe in LGBTQ-Focused Communities
Demand for LGBTQ retirement communities in the U.S. is high, but inventory is not easy to find. Here are some safe havens to explore.