INNOVATE Real Estate
Jackie Edwards, INNOVATE Real EstatePhone: (843) 251-2541
Email: [email protected]

Understanding closing costs for sellers

by Jackie Edwards 02/24/2024

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At the end of the real estate transaction come the closing costs. For seller costs, this can come to a significant amount of money on the closing date. However, the more you know about how closing costs are calculated, the better prepared you'll be for completing your home sale. Here are the most important things to know:

How do I calculate closing costs?

Closing costs for sellers vary based on multiple factors. Luckily, there are plenty of online calculators and other tools available for estimating your total closing costs. You'll need to combine property taxes, closing fees, title insurance fees, escrow fees and attorney fees with commissions paid to real estate agents.

Should you pay the buyer's closing costs?

Sometimes a seller can offer to cover the whole closing costs for the purchaser. This can help you win over a potential buyer in a competitive marketplace. A purchaser can ask for concessions in exchange for completing negotiations.

In some cases, buyers may ask for an offer to cover an issue found in a home inspection. Talk to your sales agent to find out if there's an alternative option to match your goals.

Average closing costs for sellers

Closing costs will vary from one sale to the next, but sellers can typically expect to pay around 8% to 10% of the home's total sale price. The largest part of this percentage comes from real estate agent commissions, which can be as high as 6% of the purchase price. Other cost variables include local tax rates, homeowners association fees, legal fees and title insurance fees.

When are closing costs due?

Your total seller closing costs will be due when you sign your final loan documents on the closing day. Make sure to have everything prepared to complete the transaction, as delays in closing can end up costing you more.

Once the seller pays closing costs and all the paperwork is signed, the sale is considered completed. Keep these basics for how and why sellers pay closing costs, and you'll be better prepared for every step of the process.

About the Author
Author

Jackie Edwards

Originally from Statesville, NC I grew up vacationing in the Myrtle Beach area and have been blessed to call it home for the last 21 years. An alumni of Appalachian State University, I have been a Realtor for 11-years in the Grand Strand area, and am licensed in both South and North Carolina. I hold several distinguished Realtor designations, including ARB, MRP, SRES, RSPS, SFR, and XCL. I love being involved in the Coastal Carolina Association of Realtors, having served on the Young Professionals Network committee, the Community Outreach committee, and am a 2022 graduate of Leadership CCAR. As a proud member of the Women's Council of Realtors Grand Strand, I had a role as the events committee chair for 2023 and now hold the current position as the 2024 WCR events director. I have also contributed as a board member for the last 9 years for the Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach and currently serve as treasurer. In my spare time, I love traveling, shopping, and spending time with her family, friends, and 3 cats.