What Is the Cost of Selling a House in Maryland?

Friedman explains that creating a bidding war among buyers can increase proceeds and reduce your home’s days on the market — the time from listing to signed contract.

“We are still seeing multiple offers. I would say, don’t be too afraid of pricing just slightly under the market to attract more buyers. Buyers are always ready, willing, and able to buy when the right property comes on the market,” Friedman advises.

For a successful and profitable sale, homeowners need to invest in the right preparations and the right professional guidance. While repairs and agent commissions may increase the initial cost of selling a house in Maryland, they can also significantly increase your home’s selling price — and net proceeds.

Start with a home value estimate

As you’re budgeting the cost of selling a house in Maryland, it’s a good idea to get a home value estimate. Even if you’re not planning on selling right away, this information can give you a financial baseline. You might be surprised to learn what your home is worth today.

You can get a free value estimate using HomeLight’s online Home Value Estimator. This AVM tool (automated valuation model) will use recent sales transactions, Maryland market trends, and your property’s most recent selling price to provide a preliminary value range in under two minutes. To get started, enter your address and answer a few questions about your Maryland home.

What is the cost of selling a house in Maryland?

The cost to sell a house in Maryland ranges from 7%  to 12% of its selling price. This estimate is based on current market data but can vary widely depending on your property’s location, condition, and local service costs.

Using the statewide median home price of $422,000, your total seller costs with agent commissions might fall between $29,540 and $50,640 based on the averages for each of the common expenses we’ll review below.

Maryland selling cost examples by home price

Your total out-of-pocket costs will depend on your selling situation and a number of variable factors, decisions, and personal preferences. Let’s look at the expenses you’ll need to consider when determining the cost of selling a house in Maryland.

What are common expenses for home sellers in Maryland?

Next, we’ll share a list of expected — and possibly unexpected — expenses most Maryland home sellers should be prepared to cover. Our list starts with the cost of preparing your home to attract buyers.

“I tell my sellers to prep their house like you’re walking into a moderately priced hotel room. It should be clean. It should smell good,” Friedman says.

A combination of factors, including the home’s size, age, and maintenance, can affect the cost of preparing your property for sale. The cost estimates in our list below can assist you as you make plans to sell your Maryland home.

1. Preparing your Maryland house for sale

Based on averages from our $422,000 home price example, preparing your Maryland house for sale can cost between $6,300 and $12,700, or 1.5% and 3% of a home’s final sale price.

• While newer homes typically need less repairs, the cost to fix up older properties can average between $4,500 and $5,400, including but not limited to:
  • Exterior replacement/improvements
  • Flooring replacement or repairs
  • Upgrading insulation
  • Remodeling the kitchen and bathrooms
  • Replacing or fixing exterior attachments
  • Outside property and disaster repairs
• Staging your house for buyer tours and photographs: $837–$2,924
• Professional cleaning service: $118-$236, depending on home size
• Paint for interior walls and ceilings: $967–$3,076
• Paint for the home’s exterior: $1,819–$4,551
• Landscaping and yard improvements: $1,249–$6,281
• Pre-listing home inspection: $300 and $425 (if desired or needed)

While these costs can add up, Friedman says lack of preparation is the biggest mistake home sellers in Maryland are making in the current market. “I don’t understand the lack of effort and preparation — and the disconnect between, ‘I want to get as much as I can from our property,” and “But I’m not gonna put any effort into this.’”

Before embarking on any major renovation projects or repairs, consult with your agent. An experienced Maryland agent will know what needs to be fixed and what repair costs you can avoid.

2. Realtor fees in Maryland

Real estate agent commissions are among the largest selling costs in a home sale transaction. In Maryland, Realtor fees historically have averaged between 5% and 6%. However, these averages are changing due to the landmark settlement terms of a 2024 National Association of Realtors (NAR) lawsuit. As of mid-August last year, buyers are now expected to pay their own agent’s commission (2.5%-3%), which traditionally was paid by the seller.

Even with these NAR rule changes, Friedman says many Maryland sellers are still offering to pay the buyer’s agent fees to sweeten the deal. “A lot of buyers just can’t afford to pay the agent their commission.”

Our examples below provide estimates for both the traditional commission model and the new post-NAR settlement commission model.

Some Maryland homeowners may be considering a discount fee or low-commission agent. But Friedman, who has a high sale-to-list ratio and over a decade of successful sales, says now is not the time to take chances on discount services. He recommends you invest in experience.

For example, he advises, “Seek out someone who does video tours — that’s a great way to leverage a property and increase the number of people who have eyes on the property. The more people we reach, the more people come through the home, and you have a better chance of getting multiple offers at a higher price.”

A top-rated agent will know how to strategically price your Maryland home and what needs to be done to achieve a swift and profitable sale. Homelight transaction data shows that the top 5% of agents across the nation sell homes for as much as 10% more than average agents — and nearly twice as fast.

To illustrate, let’s look again at our example of a median-price Maryland home that an average agent might sell for $422,000. If you use a high-performing agent, you might sell the same house for as much as $42,200 more (10%), and net $14,348 in additional profit even if you paid the combined 6% agent commissions. If you only paid your 3% listing agent fee ($13,926), you could take home as much as $28,274 by using a top agent.

In this selling scenario, a 10% higher purchase price could easily offset the cost of a top agent’s fees. In addition, your entire home-selling experience could be smoother with a proven Maryland real estate professional guiding you every step of the way.

3. Seller concessions

In addition to the direct costs of preparing your Maryland home to sell and agent commissions, indirect costs often surface during the sale process. These indirect expenses might include seller concessions or seller-assisted buyer incentives

A seller concession is when a home seller agrees to use a portion of their sale proceeds to cover some or all of a buyer’s closing costs. Concessions and credits are bargaining chips during negotiations with a potential buyer. The cost of concessions depends on market conditions and the circumstances of the sale.

“With the market slowdown, we are starting to see seller concessions on closing costs come back into play,” Friedman says. “Probably a third of my transactions on both sides are seeing seller concessions.”

Following the NAR commission changes, Friedman says a common concession that sellers are making in order to close a sale is to pay the buyer’s agent commission. “A lot of buyers just can’t afford to pay the agent their commission.”.

Here’s a look at some other common seller concessions and buyer incentives you may need to consider:

• Property inspection fees: Sellers can offer to pay for the buyer-required home inspection, which can range from $296–$424 or more, depending on the size of the property.
• Repair credit: The amount of this credit can vary, but it can be one of the best concessions you can offer to ease buyer concerns about repairs, especially after an appraisal or inspection.
• Mortgage buydown: A buydown concession is when a seller offers to pay mortgage points on the buyer’s loan to help lower the interest rate and payments. This is especially helpful in a high-interest-rate market.
• Property taxes: If a buyer is walking a financial tightrope, a seller might offer a credit to cover some or all of the home’s upcoming property taxes.
• Appliance upgrades: The seller can offer a concession to help the buyer upgrade old or outdated appliances. This is most commonly done for kitchen appliances but can also apply to washers, dryers, and other home units.
• Moving expenses: A seller might offer a concession to help the buyer with moving expenses, especially when the buyer is from out of state.
• Home warranty: This incentive might cost $450–$600, but it can give hesitant buyers more peace of mind.

What's Your Maryland Home Worth Now?

Get a near-instant real estate house price estimate from HomeLight for free. Our tool analyzes the records of recently sold homes near you, your home’s last sale price, and other market trends to provide a preliminary range of value in under two minutes.

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Closing costs and additional fees

Closing costs are fees associated with a home sale transaction. Buyers and sellers pay different expenses when the sale closes. Excluding agent commissions, the average seller closing costs in Maryland are around 3.68% of a home’s purchase price.

Using our $422,000 median-price Maryland home, your seller closing costs and additional fees would total $15,930. However, your final closing costs can range widely because of variable high-dollar factors such as your mortgage payoff amount and prorated property taxes.

Here’s a quick look at some typical closing costs when selling a house in Maryland:

• Escrow fees: Escrow accounts may be used to hold the buyer’s earnest money or manage funds related to the sale. Sellers might need to split any applicable escrow fees if required.
• Title-related fees: Legally changing ownership of a property involves several fees. In Maryland, sellers typically pay a title company to facilitate this process.
• Attorney fees (optional): Maryland does not mandate the use of a real estate attorney for closing. However, many sellers choose to hire an attorney for legal advice, document preparation, or to oversee the closing. Real estate attorney fees in Maryland average $348 per hour, depending on the attorney and location.
• HOA fees and property taxes: Sellers are generally responsible for paying homeowners association (HOA) fees and property taxes up to the closing date. If the seller has already paid taxes or fees beyond this date, they may be reimbursed by the buyer at closing or included as a concession.
• Seller concessions: As noted above, if the seller has agreed to concessions — such as repair credits or paying the buyer’s Realtor fees — these amounts will be deducted from the seller’s proceeds at closing. Seller concessions are often itemized as closing costs in the transaction documents.
• Recording fees: Maryland sellers are responsible for paying recording fees for the new deed or deed of trust. These fees, charged by the local Clerk of Court or Land Records office, are generally less than $100.
• Transfer tax: Maryland imposes a transfer tax of 0.5% on most real estate sales, typically split equally between the buyer and seller unless otherwise negotiated. For example, on a $422,000 home sale, the statewide transfer tax portion for the seller would amount to $1,055. First-time Maryland homebuyers may qualify for a reduced tax of 0.25%. Additional county transfer taxes may apply.

At-a-glance Maryland home-selling cost example

This at-glance analysis is based on the median home price of $422,000 in Maryland. These figures are rough estimates that may be helpful when planning your sale.

*Based on Maryland’s median home price of $422,000 with minimal seller concessions.

When planning your selling costs, remember to account for your mortgage payoff, which averages $283,000 in Maryland, or about 67% of a $422,000 home.

In our example above, if you sold your home for $422,000 and paid off the average statewide mortgage balance, your net proceeds would be $98,910. That’s a decent profit, and it can be even bigger if you have more equity in your home and fewer remaining mortgage payments before selling.

If you remove the mortgage payoff from the equation, the cost of selling a house in Maryland using these example estimates would be 9.5% of its sold price.

Friedman reminds his clients that the cost of selling a house in Maryland will vary on a case-by-case basis due to local and regional market trends and buyer demand. He recommends sellers work with an experienced local agent to make their house as inviting as possible and reach a large buyer pool.

Remember moving costs: As you plan your budget, keep relocation expenses in mind. Your costs will depend on moving distance and whether you hire professional movers. A typical in-state move can cost $884–$2,569, and an out-of-state move can cost $3,000-$9,500.

How can I reduce the cost of selling a house in Maryland?

There are ways to reduce the cost of selling a house in Maryland. Some strategies are more effective than others. A few examples include:

• Make DIY repairs where possible
• Negotiate a lower commission with your listing agent
• Choose a flat fee or discount agent
• Don’t offer seller concessions or buyer incentives
• Make only cost-effective upgrades in your home preparations
• Avoid the urge to over-improve or make unnecessary repairs
• If you agree to pay closing costs or offer a repair credit, raise your list price
• Sell off-market (selling as-is typically means lower proceeds)
• Time your sale using HomeLight’s Best Time to Sell Calculator
• Use a top-rated Realtor with a high sale-to-list ratio

Friedman says most Maryland sellers can best offset their closing costs by properly preparing their homes, which increases the chances of selling at a higher listing price. This is where a seasoned agent comes in. HomeLight data shows that the top 5% of agents sell homes for up to 10% more than average agents.

Partner with a top Maryland agent

To get a better handle on the cost of selling a house in Maryland, start with a home value estimate. Then plan to maximize your profits by partnering with a top Maryland agent who can help you achieve a successful sale — from listing to closing.

Friedman offers Maryland home sellers these parting tips:

Check your septic system: “In Maryland, septic system inspections are much more regulated. The state requires cameras to be run from the house to the tank and from the tank to the drain field, and a lot of issues are coming up. To avoid [surprises], sellers should address this beforehand.”

Be realistic with your list price: “Overpricing never works. It turns buyers off, and your home will sit on the market. Buyers then start asking, ‘What’s wrong with the property? Why has it been on the market for so long?’ So it has to be aggressively priced. Get an agent who is experienced enough to price the property right.”

Apply expert guidance: “Listen to your agent. We’ve been at this for a while. We know what we’re doing — most of us. We work with buyers too. We hear buyer comments all the time about ‘I don’t like this, I don’t like that.’”

Interested in expertise like this? HomeLight can connect you with some of the best real estate agents in your Maryland market. Search our data-backed list of top agents in your community.

If you’re timing your Maryland home sale to balance buying and selling at the same time, check out HomeLight’s Buy Before You Sell program. This modern program uses your existing equity to provide a simplified and more certain process to make your best move. Watch this short video to learn more.

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