How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House?

Reviewed by: Brandon Brown

With all of the upfront fees and expenses you need to cover before seeing any profit, there are few situations that feel as upside-down as the process of selling your home. How much does selling a house cost exactly? The answer varies, but it starts with understanding what fees to anticipate, as well as how closing costs, commissions, and other charges are determined, and what aspects you can control. In addition to making wise choices and exercising your consumer rights, you can also opt out of the traditional listing sale method altogether. In fact, with an as-is cash sale, you can reduce or completely eliminate many of these expenses.

What Are the Typical Costs of Selling a House?

The question isn’t just “How much does it cost to sell a house,” but how much does it cost to sell your house? Some items come at a flat fee, but many are based on a percentage of the sale price. So, the best place to start is with an accurate estimate of your home’s current market value. Most homeowners spend 8% – 15% of the sale price on total selling costs.¹ This includes agent commissions, closing costs, and repairs and upgrades, as well as staging, cleaning, and photography.

Agent Commissions

The largest expense is usually real estate agents, averaging 5.18% of the sale price in California.² Sellers have historically paid the entire cost of the buyer and seller agent and brokerage commissions. However, some of that responsibility may shift to buyers following a National Association of Realtors (NAR) lawsuit settlement that requires agents to put contractual responsibility on their fees with the buyer.

Closing Costs

California closing costs average about 1% of the sale price. That may seem minor, but with the high cost of Golden State property, 1% can add up to a five-digit number.³ Consider, for instance, the median home price in November 2025: $852,680. Even at just 1%, this would yield closing costs of $8,527.⁴

Repairs and Upgrades

How much does it cost to sell a house that’s decades out of style, or has a long list of overdue repairs? Your realtor may recommend some quick repairs and cosmetic upgrades, but some sellers pursue deeper renovations, chasing a higher home price tag. The sellers who opt for pre-listing repairs spend an average of $14,163.⁵

Staging, Cleaning, and Photography

There’s still work to be done once repairs and upgrades are completed. Consider:

Staging – An optional but common practice, staging costs an average of $800 – $2,800. This price can be higher for significantly larger homes.⁵
Deep cleaning – On average, expect to pay $0.15 – $0.30 per square foot for deep cleaning (or $300 – $600 for a 2,000 SF single-family home).
Photography – If it’s not handled as part of your contract with a real estate agent, expect to pay an average of $318 for basic listing photos, with additional cost for drone, video, 3D, and other add-on photography services.⁶

Hidden or Unexpected Costs Sellers Often Overlook

Beyond the costs you’ll encounter with any traditional listing sale, several optional costs can raise your tally. A key question to ask is “How much does it cost to sell a home to a specific buyer?” Each buyer comes to the table with different financial situations and demands, and these have the potential to cost you in negotiation and concessions. Some additional and potential expenses include:

Buyer concessions (including post-inspection repairs)
Buyer closing costs and credits
Temporary housing or storage
Mortgage payoff with prorated accrued interest and possible prepayment penalty
Home warranty purchase

How Selling to a Cash Buyer Can Reduce Costs

Figuring out how much you’ll need to budget for upfront costs is a whole different ballgame when you deal with a cash buyer. Cash buyers like FlipSplit eliminate many traditional expenses. Just consider:

No agent commissions
No repairs or improvements
No staging or showings
No closing costs in many cases

This allows sellers to keep more of their equity and avoid upfront spending.

Choosing the Most Cost-Effective Way to Sell

With a traditional listing, expenses add up fast at a time you’re probably counting on seeing a big payoff from the sale. From repairs and staging, you may end up fronting thousands of dollars—and that’s before you even get an offer. Before you commit to the old-school method of commissioning a real estate agent, investigate all of your alternatives. If you’re looking for fewer costs and a faster, more streamlined sale, a cash buyer can offer a practical, cost-saving solution. Ready to learn more? If you own a home in Southern California, reach out to FlipSplit today to see exactly how we work—including how we split extra profits with sellers—and get a free, no-obligation quote to consider.

Reviewed by: Brandon Brown

As a long-time Asset Manager, Investor, Real Estate Agent, and Broker/Owner of BayBrook Realty in Orange County, Brandon Brown is one of FlipSplit’s lead Real Estate experts. Having worked on over 2,000+ real estate transactions, Brandon brings a depth of knowledge that ensures clients are appropriately treated with honesty and integrity. His insights and advice have been published in numerous blogs beyond FlipSplit, and he keeps a close eye on market trends and statistics, which are updated weekly on his social media pages. Outside work, you can find him participating and serving at church, cycling, mountain biking, surfing around Orange County and beyond, and enjoying time with his wife and two daughters.