How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House in Georgia?

Selling a house isn't just "put it on the market and collect a check." There are costs involved.

The good news?

You don't have to guess what they are.

Before you list, you should know what you're likely to spend and, more importantly, how much you may actually walk away with.

The biggest mistake sellers make

They look at the sale price and think:

"If I sell for $400,000, I'm making $400,000."

Not quite.

Your sale price is the starting point.

Your actual proceeds come after the expenses associated with the sale are paid. Think of it like this:

Sale Price − Selling Expenses − Mortgage Payoff = Estimated Net Proceeds

That's the number I want sellers to understand.

What costs can come with selling a house?

Depending on your transaction, you may have expenses such as:

Real estate compensation

If you hire an agent to market and sell your home, the compensation structure is something you and your agent agree to. There isn't one universal number that every seller pays. This should be discussed clearly before you sign a listing agreement.

Seller closing costs

Depending on the transaction, there can be attorney/title-related charges, recording-related expenses, prorations and other closing costs.

Georgia real estate transfer tax

Georgia charges a real estate transfer tax when ownership of real property is transferred. The Georgia Department of Revenue states that the seller is liable for the tax, although the contract can provide for the buyer to pay it.

Repairs and preparation

You might decide to paint. Maybe replace carpet. Maybe fix a leaking faucet. Maybe do absolutely nothing. This is where having an agent who knows how to prioritize repairs can save you money.

Seller concessions

Sometimes a seller agrees to contribute toward a buyer's allowable costs or other negotiated expenses. Again, this depends on the transaction.

Mortgage payoff

Don't forget this one.

If you still owe money on your house, your mortgage payoff comes out of the proceeds. And your mortgage balance is not the same thing as your original loan amount.

Here's why I want sellers to know their net

Let's say your house sells for $450,000.

That sounds great.

But the number you should really care about is: "How much money will I actually have after everything is paid?"

That's your net.

And you can estimate that before you list the house.

Don't spend $20,000 to make $5,000

This is another reason I don't recommend blindly renovating before selling.

Maybe your kitchen needs updating.

That doesn't automatically mean you should spend $40,000 remodeling it.

• Sometimes a $3,000 project makes sense.
• Sometimes a $15,000 project makes sense.
• Sometimes the best answer is: Don't touch it.

Let's run the numbers first.

Want to know what you'd actually walk away with?

I'm Kim Foreman with Dwelli, and I help Georgia homeowners understand the numbers before they make a move.

I primarily work with sellers in Coweta, Fayette, Spalding and Pike County, along with surrounding Georgia markets.

Call or text (678) 326-4620 and I'll help you estimate your selling costs and potential net proceeds.

Because "How much is my house worth?" is only half the question.

The better question is:

"How much will I actually walk away with?"