The Hidden Costs of Selling a Home

Selling your home is a tremendous undertaking. Not only does the move mark a major transition, but oftentimes, unloading your home isn’t cheap. Here’s a look at the hidden costs of selling your home.

According to 2019 analysis by Zillow and Thumbtack, the national average cost to sell a house is $20,851. About two-thirds of that are due to closing costs such as transfer and sales taxes and agent commissions, which total an estimated average of $14,281.

But there’s more to closing costs than taxes and agent fees. A third of sellers’ expenses comes from the costs required to prep a home for sale, as well as the costs of completing any outstanding to-dos before new owners move in. These tasks can include painting, yard maintenance and general house and carpet cleaning.

Based on the survey, interior painting costs an average of $1,245, while exterior painting can cost homeowners $2,600. Meanwhile, home staging for photos and open houses, could run owners about $1,805, and lawn care and carpet cleaning cost an average of $145 and $160, respectively.

The average price for local moving services costs about $475. In total, these duties could cost homeowners $6,570.

While price tags can vary by location and additional fees are always up for negotiation, the national average proves that selling your home is no small thing—and it’s definitely not as easy as you might hope.