What is the Cost of Selling a House?

how much does it cost to see a house

Selling a house is one of the most complicated and stressful experiences that consumers will have to go through, but how much does it cost to sell a house?

There’s no set definitive cost for selling a house fast as it is a nuanced experience with loads of variables. But let’s get through some basic averages. 

Basic costs associated with selling a home

According to The Statist, average commission rates for real estate agents in the United States between 1992 and 2019 fluctuated between 5 - 6%. This rate can also vary when it comes to a more focused take on towns, cities, counties, and states. If you’re looking at selling your home without a realtor, you can reduce this commission cost.

But selling your home without a realtor can be a challenge, though. There are certain requirements that need to be met contractually when selling a home which you should always be aware of. Again, these requirements vary depending on where you live. It should also be mentioned that you might need to complete some renovation tasks. 

Renovations can be costly also, and start to add up quickly. Other costs include marketing and moving expenses. 

Other factors to consider are whether you’ll be able to locate a buyer for your property, and what the cost of sitting on a property for a lengthy period might be. What most sellers are looking for is to sell their house fast and hassle-free

But let’s get into the details about the cost of selling a house.

Cost of real estate fees for seller

Realtors work by commission. They need to sell your home before being paid. But when you’re talking about a sale in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, a commission of 5 - 6% turns into a large amount.

This is one of the largest real estate selling fees to be dealt with. While you can sell your home on your own without a realtor, if you use a realtor,  what you’re paying for is:

  • Local real estate knowledge;
  • A network of potential buyers;
  • And good tips and insights for selling properties.
     

But if you do decide to go it on your own, how much does it cost to sell a house by an owner?

There is a surprising amount to consider, actually. And you might come back to thinking, “Those real estate fees for the seller aren't that bad.” 

How much does it cost to sell a house? Consider the prep costs 

No one is going to take a home as-is. If they do, they’re most likely House Buyers of America. So, before listing it yourself, it might be wise to go through the property, listing all the issues that need to be addressed. 

These costs can be divided into subsections. All of them need to be addressed before you can sell. 

Staging costs of selling a home

Before inviting any new potential buyers through the front door, make sure that the home looks like it is worth the price tag. Make sure that you accentuate the best features of your house. This is the art of staging. Rearranging furniture and décor to make your home more visually appealing.  You can hire a professional stager to help you rearrange your home, but you can also do this yourself. 

For those attempting to DIY, we strongly suggest reading up about staging and best practices. Then, start considering what extras and services you want. 

You might want to invest in:

  • New furniture 
  • Light fixtures 
  • Curtains
  • And other decorative accessories

Another cost to consider is a deep cleaning service to get into those dirty corners, or if you’re not willing to splash out on cleaners, we’d suggest renting a deep cleaning steamer. Making sure your home looks good means you’ll be able to impress more potential buyers. 

Landscaping Costs

If you own a garden, you might want to consider giving it a once over. The outside of your home is as important as the interior, in some regards. After all, it is the first thing buyers see when climbing out of their vehicle. 

Curb appeal can attract potential buyers from just passing through a neighborhood to knocking on your door with an offer. Landscaping costs is just one of those real estate fees for sellers to deal with. But we’d suggest hiring landscapers to maintain the garden. As it is labor-intensive with all the: 

  • mulching 
  • pruning 
  • planting 
  • weeding 
  • lawn cutting 
  • and fertilizing 

For the avid gardener, this isn’t an issue. But for those without green fingers, it’s not ideal. 

Home repairs and maintenance 

Homes that show they need repair or constant maintenance are always difficult to sell. It’s one of the major reasons why potential home sales fall through at the closing stage. Making sure that you’ve selected the best home improvement action can be tricky.

But these costs, once again, can vary. Most contractors will be more than happy to provide comprehensive quotes for certain jobs. Be warned that most home improvements won’t equal an automatic return on your investment. Bearing this in mind, make sure to make a calculation about how much you’re willing to lose. 

Also, make sure to gather multiple quotes.

Home improvements

We’d suggest only undergoing major home improvements if you’re planning to sell in a few months, or years. If you’re looking for a quick house sale, you won’t be able to reap the majority of your costs back.

This being said, you can be clever with your selection. The correct project can help you recoup large amounts back from the investment. A word of advice, this is not the time to trial and error larger projects. 

According to Remodeling’s National Data Report on Cost Vs Value, the best return on value spent on remodeling is to install Manufactured Stone Veneer which boasts 95.6% of the investment recouped, nationally.

Now that the physical work has been dealt with, it’s time for the art of the deal. 

How much does it cost to sell a house, with all the paperwork costs?

If you are selling your home without a realtor, you will need to set your own house price. Negotiating house prices is stressful. What you’re hoping for is a buyer with cash in hand, like House Buyers of America. But not many Americans have access to a sizable lump of cash to purchase a house, and when these individuals do have the cash, get ready to negotiate. 

After all, every cent is theirs and they’re not going to let go of their hard-earned dollars. Also, cash is a bargaining card, which allows them to dictate the rules of the sale. As the seller, you’re most likely going to have to discuss details and contingencies if the bank is involved. 

Discussions and middle ground 

While your home might be the absolute perfect fit for someone else, that fit might still need some adjustments. These adjustments are concessions. You might need to agree to pay for certain costs before the buyer enters into the deal. This can be down to a number of reasons, one of the most likely causes would be if your home’s appraisal is lower than the offer on the table. 

It could also be due to the fact that the buyer can’t access enough capital to cover the closing costs, or if they want to retain some cash on hand to address issues around the home. This being said, often there is a limit to the amount buyers can request with concessions. Conventional loans allow for concessions between 3% - 9% on the loan, this is also related to how much of the down payment the buyer has been able to make.

And for the Federal Housing Administration concessions are capped at around 6% and for the Department of Veterans Affairs, that number is around 4%. 

How much do the closing costs come in at? 

Closing costs are made up of a few fees. Some of these costs could be:

  • Property taxes
  • Attorneys’ fees 
  • Recording fees
  • Transfer tax
  • And the outstanding amount on the mortgage. 

Let’s talk about the two costs you’re most likely going to address that doesn’t include lawyer’s fees

Transfer taxes

Transfer taxes apply when sellers change the title of the property to the buyer. These transfer taxes can vary from state-to-state and can take place at state, county, and municipal levels. 

Mortgage payoff

Before you can move on to the next property, you need to wrap up your mortgage if you have one. If there is some pro-rata interest, and you’ve not been paying it, you might need to pay the difference out of your own pocket. If you’ve paid up your mortgage in advance, there may be pay prepayment penalties involved. But once this is wrapped up, it’s time to start packing. Movers are also costly and should be factored into your budget. 

And finally, it’s worth mentioning that there are normally transition and overlapping costs as well. Selling a home is a complicated and expensive process. If you’re looking for the best method to sell your home fast and hassle-free in Maryland, Virginia house buyers, or Washington DC, sell it to us for cash! 

Sell your home to House Buyers of America!

House Buyers of America prides itself on being the hassle-free alternative to having to deal with all those additional costs, as we buy houses for cash.

We can offer you cash for your house where we’ll make you a fair offer. You’ll receive that cash offer in a few minutes, and all you’ll need to do is arrange a time for us to come by and finalize the paperwork, and you can have the cash in your account in just days. At House Buyers of America, we buy houses in Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia house buyers, and we have the experience to offer you a competitive price for your home. 

Call us today at 855-659-3289 or use our online form to get started! We’ll get you a cash offer within 10 minutes and walk you through the process of selling your house for cash.

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Sell your home directly to House Buyers of America and can skip all the hassle and months of uncertainty. Simply enter your address – and get our offer with a few simple steps.

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Of course, while working with an iBuyer is usually the best way to sell your home quickly (for cash or otherwise), there are still several other options that might be worth exploring: Related: The Top 6 Reasons You Should Sell Your House “As Is” For Sale by Owner (FSBO) Listing This method allows homeowners to bypass real estate agents. However, the onus of managing paperwork and attracting buyers falls squarely on the homeowner. This route can often be more time-consuming than anticipated, especially if the market is slow. Real Estate Listing This method has its merits, but the time and effort involved in maintaining the house for viewings, alongside agent commission fees, can make it less appealing for those wanting to Sell Your House Fast. Doing “Whatever It Takes” Selling a house requires effort, whether you're working with an agent, promoting it on social media, or hosting open houses. But remember, more effort doesn't guarantee a faster sale. The below statistics demonstrate why this is the case: The entire length of time it takes to sell a home is more than just the number of days your house is on the market. Before your house can be listed for sale, you must do your research to ensure selling your house is the right decision and also find contractors. That takes time. 86% of home buyers finance their homes, meaning they must wait for their mortgage loan to be approved before finalizing a purchase. That adds additional time to the closing process. It takes 30 days, on average, for a mortgage to be approved, and 50 days for the sale of a house to be completed (from initial offer to closing). On top of that, if the house needs a lot of work and the buyer is getting a construction loan—like an FHA 203K loan—you can expect another 90 to 120 days for that to be approved. Why The Traditional Route Might Not Be Fast Enough Traditional house selling methods often require time, sometimes stretching from 6 months to a year. 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Making the Right Choice for Your Needs While traditional methods might work for some, many find the efficiency and ease of a "sell house for cash" approach preferable. If a hassle-free, swift sale is what you're after, House Buyers of America might be your ideal choice. FAQ Why might someone want to sell their house swiftly? Reasons vary, from job relocations to financial challenges or even unexpected property inheritances. Is selling my house for cash a reliable option? Yes, especially when you want to sell your house fast without the regular market uncertainties. What advantages do iBuyers like House Buyers of America offer? They provide a streamlined process, no realtor commissions, and swift cash offers, among other benefits. Does the condition of my home affect the cash sale? Not with entities like House Buyers of America, as they offer to buy homes "as is." How long does it take to get a cash offer for my house? 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Cities and Counties in Maryland Where We Buy Houses Aberdeen Adelphi Annapolis Baltimore Bel-Air Beltsville Bowie Burtonsville Bushwood Catonsville Chesapeake Beach Chevy Chase Chillum Clinton Colesville College Park Columbia Crofton Darnestown Edgewater Eldersburg Elkton Essex Fells Point Fort Washington Frederick Gaithersburg Glen Burnie Greenbelt Gwynn Oak Halethorpe Havre De Grace Hyattsville Indian Head Lanham Leonardtown Lexington Park Lochearn Marlow Heights Mechanicsville Milford Mill Monkton Monrovia Montgomery County Mount Rainier Nanjemoy Olney Oxon Hill Pikesville Potomac Prince George's County Randallstown Rockville Rosedale Walkersville West River White Plains And more! We’ve worked hard to establish the best platform for quickly selling your home in Maryland. With our “We Buy Maryland Houses” program, you can quickly get your home off your hands, all for a very fair price. We’d love to chat more about finding ways to sell your Maryland property and help you achieve your long-term financial goals. Why You Should Use House Buyers of America Selling a house is stressful enough, even if you live in a very competitive state for housing like Maryland. When you add in the trials of trying to sell your house during a personal financial emergency or the emotions of an estate sale, it can be overwhelming. Let House Buyers of America buy your house; as suggested, we buy houses in Maryland and we put a lot of pride into our work. Here are just a few ways House Buyers of America can make a real difference: No Commission Yes, you read that right. House Buyers of America takes no commission when buying your home. This frees up at least 6% in the value of your home, significant savings that you can apply to your next home. With Maryland’s high real estate values, that means you could potentially save tens of thousands of dollars. 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Our commitment to a speedy sale is a hallmark of House Buyers of America. Any Condition, AS IS This is not a gimmick. We buy houses AS IS in Maryland, in any condition—from a tear-down to relatively new houses. Whether it needs tons of repairs or no repairs at all, our purchases are not made based on the condition of the home. Our offers are made in cash for any condition and on an AS IS basis. When Should You Use House Buyers of America? Clients of House Buyers of America range across demographics, ages, and financial situations. We help make it possible for Maryland homeowners to achieve their financial dreams. As a result, there are certain reasons why our customers tell us why they sell their houses to us. Job Transfer Did you just get a promotion that requires you to relocate? Or maybe your local office is closing down and you have to relocate to another city quickly in order to keep your job. Whatever your job transfer needs are, we offer cash for your home and we can close quickly. Buying a New House Perhaps the thought of juggling the sale of your current home and purchasing a new one at the same time in the same local market might be creating a lot of stress. Have you considered having to have your home staged and then factor in coordinating where to live after you sell? What should you do? Put a home sale contingency in an offer to purchase a new house and risk making your offer much less competitive. Or should you buy a house first and then risk not being able to sell your current house, leaving you stuck with two mortgages? This is the age-old real estate dilemma. If you’re in this situation, you’ve come to the right place! With House Buyers of America, you get a guaranteed sale of your house and we’re flexible on the closing date (and no closing costs). After the purchase agreement is signed, your home sale is covered and you can start looking for a new home without worrying about selling your existing home. Divorce Divorce can be a huge disruptor, emotionally and financially. In most cases, the divorced couple needs to sell their house fast so they can divvy up the assets and make a clean break. Many in a divorce situation look for a “sell my house fast Maryland” company so they can sell their house without having to go through the arduous process of a traditional sale. Finding a real estate agent, renovating, cleaning, and staging the house, agreeing on a list price, negotiating the terms of the contract, etc. This is normally a stressful enough task, but if you add divorce into the mix, it feels impossible. Why not pick up the phone and get an offer in 10 minutes? Or simply fill out our online form and get an offer quickly. No need to renovate, stage, select a Realtor, and deal with people traipsing through your house and losing all of your privacy for 6-12 months. Real solutions are well within reach. There is an alternative: House Buyers of America! Financial Distress Are you in a financial bind with thousands of dollars locked away in your home? Most people do not realize they can directly access the accumulated equity of their home in their hands in as little as 7 days until they contact House Buyers of America. We offer fair prices for when you need an immediate cash infusion to stave off foreclosure, bankruptcy, or whatever life throws at you. Medical Emergency, Retired, Downsizing Some of our clients are elderly and have stayed in their homes for years, but have stumbled into a medical emergency and need the equity in their homes to pay for hospital bills. When this is the case, whether you are a homeowner or a care provider, you might need to sell your Maryland home quite quickly. Others simply want a hassle-free solution for downsizing into a smaller home and want equity in their legacy home. Estate Sales House Buyers of America have also helped thousands of people who have suddenly inherited an unwanted or unneeded property. When dealing with an estate, many heirs can’t decide or agree on when to sell the house or who will take care of the paperwork, so the house is left sitting vacant and deteriorating for months or years. Estate sales can bring out the worst in people and families often get torn apart in the process. The traditional real estate process can be complicated and often doesn’t work well for estate sales. The unique estate laws that apply in Maryland can also create some additional complications. So why not try a simple, fast, and hassle-free solution that all of your family members can agree on? Get an all-cash offer in as little as 10 minutes by contacting House Buyers of America. A Fresh Start We’ve talked about several reasons you might want to sell your Maryland house to a cash buyer. Then there are those unfortunate circumstances in life that require a complete and total liquidation of your assets when you need a speedy exit from your current home and town. By getting an all-cash, guaranteed offer from House Buyers of America and getting your house sold in as little as 7 days, you get that fresh start without waiting. That’s why we continue to be the choice of people looking to “sell house fast in Maryland,” as well as other nearby states.