13 Costs That Almost Always Surprise People When They Sell Their House

When you decide to sell your home, you may think that all you have to do is list it for the price you want. However, it's not uncommon for homeowners to spend thousands of dollars when selling their homes.

Being aware of these "hidden costs" can help you determine the price of your property and potentially boost your bank account by planning for the most budget-friendly ways to handle these unexpected expenses. 

Here are some of the elusive costs you should know about when putting your house on the market.

Home staging costs

Staging your home is a big process. It often involves removing as much clutter and material as possible and setting up the home in the most attractive way possible to encourage buyers to see themselves in that space.

Home staging costs range from $750 to $2,800 if you hire a professional.

You could do the work yourself if you have the appropriate furniture to use to get the best results. Staging takes skill and experience to get just right, though.

Title insurance fees

Title insurance is a type of protection from claims made against the owner of the home. It's common for the seller to pay the buyer's title insurance cost.

If there are concerns about the home's title, this insurance helps cover the buyer's losses.

Loan payoff fees

The amount owed on your existing mortgage must be paid in full at the time of the sale. Most commonly, the amount received for the sale covers most of those costs.

However, prorated mortgage interest can be a factor. The lender may require you to pay a prepayment penalty if you pay off the mortgage within a specific period after purchasing the home.

Find out from your lender whether there is a prepayment penalty, as this could amount to thousands of dollars.

Property tax

You may owe property taxes for the time you've lived in your home. In many states, these are paid in arrears, which means after time passes.

If you paid taxes in January for the previous six months but sell your home in March, you may owe property taxes for three months (January through March) of the current year.

In short, you'll pay based on the length of time you've lived in the home.

Real estate commission

Real estate agent compensation can be one of the highest costs of selling a home, but there is no standard commission rate. Broker fees are fully negotiable and depend on the agreement you reach with your listing agent.

Depending on the transaction, you may also agree to contribute toward the buyer's broker compensation. Review your listing agreement carefully so you understand what you'll be responsible for paying before making any surprising financial mistakes. 

Home cleaning and prep

You'll need to prep your home as part of the process of selling it. This could include cleaning the carpets, power-washing the driveway, paying for exterior updates, trimming trees, and even a few coats of paint indoors.

Even if you do the work yourself, you still have to consider the cost of materials and supplies to make these upgrades.

The hope here is that any money you put into the home will come back to you in the form of a higher sale price.

Professional photos

The photos you use in your home's listing are one of your most powerful marketing tools. Ensuring they are done well and positively showcasing your home is critical to getting people to see the property in person.

That's why it is typically worth paying a professional fee for this service instead of doing it yourself or using your agent. The costs depend on size and location but can range from $150 to $500 or more. 

Utilities

It's your responsibility to pay for the utilities you use until the day the home transfers to the new homeowners. You may not realize it initially, but that could mean added costs even if you've moved out.

For example, you'll need to keep the air conditioning and heating on even when your home's empty. You also may need to pay for water, sewer, and electricity for those final days.

Capital gains tax

If you sell your home for a gain, some of that gain could be subject to capital gains tax. Your taxable gain depends in part on your home's adjusted basis, selling price, selling expenses, and qualifying improvements you've made.

If the property is your main home and you meet IRS requirements, you may be able to exclude up to $250,000 of the gain from federal income tax, or up to $500,000 if you're married and file jointly. It's worth speaking with a tax professional about how the rules apply to your situation.

HOA fees

Then there are the homeowner's association fees to consider. You may owe these fees, or a portion of them, for the month you're leaving.

These monthly dues are the same ones you're already paying month-to-month to help cover maintenance costs.

Attorney fees

Depending on where you live and the details of your transaction, you may need or choose to hire a real estate attorney to review contracts, prepare documents, or assist with closing. Attorney fees vary considerably depending on location and the services provided.

Radon gas testing

Sometimes a seller may be asked to complete a radon gas test. This helps determine whether the home has elevated levels of radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can enter buildings from the ground.

The cost of this type of test will vary by location, with at-home versions costing up to $250 and some professionals charging around $150 to $800.

Additional seller concessions

There may be additional costs associated with the sale of the home if you agree to seller concessions.

You may agree to pay a portion of the buyer's closing costs as part of the deal. There may be repairs or upgrades your buyer wants included in the sales contract. This is all part of the negotiations you have with the buyer to reach an agreement.

For example, you may agree to reduce the home's overall price to cover the cost of repairing a broken sewer pipe. Instead of doing the work yourself, you've reduced what the buyer has to pay you, so they can handle the repairs later.

Bottom line

Selling your home comes with many hidden costs. In addition to the costs of selling the home, there are several other expenses you need to factor in.

These can include moving costs, renting a storage unit for a short time, and buying new furniture.

Knowing what to expect can help you lower your financial stress and get on top of these costs so they don't surprise you.

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice.

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