As a seller, what do I customarily pay for when I sell my home?

In Southern California, it is customary for the seller(s) to pay for the following items:

- All Real Estate Commissions

- The Title Insurance for the Buyer (to insure clear title)

- Half of the total escrow fees

- Transfer Taxes (Charged by either the city or county you live in)

- A Termite Report and all required Repairs

- A Natural Hazard Disclosure Report

- Any Home Owner's Association Transfer Fees

- Any fees associated with paying off your current mortgage.

It is also increasingly common for sellers to pay for the buyer's closing costs (up to 3% of the purchase price)and also for repair work requested by the buyer. Everything, however, is negotiable and depends on the specific transaction.

As a rough estimate, I generally tell sellers that their total costs to sell will likely run between 8-10% of the total price of the home.  Most agents will provide you a net sheet to give you a more precise estimation of your costs when they list your home. 

When you accept an offer, an agent will generally give you another net sheet based on the agreed upon purchase price and any costs you may (or may not) have agreed to pay on behalf of the buyer, which is common in a slower market.

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