What Is the Cost to Sell a House in Texas?

What are common expenses for home sellers in Texas?

While every situation is different, here are some typical costs you may incur when selling your Texas home.

Prepping your home for sale

• Driveway repairs: $100 to $3,000
• Staging the home: $1,500 to $4,000
• Professional cleaning services: $170 to $220, based on a 2,000-square-foot home
• Paint for interior spaces: $2 to $4 per square foot
• Pre-listing inspection, if desired or needed: $200-$500

Before undertaking any large renovation projects or repairs, consult with your Realtor. An experienced real estate agent will know what needs to be fixed and what can be skipped. Candelario says deep cleaning is the “biggest thing.” She says, “Paint, mulch, bleach, and Windex go a long way.”

Realtor fees in Texas

Agent commissions are one of the largest selling costs in a real estate transaction. In Texas, Realtor fees average between 5%-6%. Based on our $330,950 Texas Craftsman home sale example, you can expect to pay between $16,547.50-$19,857 in real estate agent commissions. A typical agent commission split might look like this:

• Listing agent fee: $8,273.75-$9,928.50
• Buyer’s agent fee: $8,273.75-$9,928.50

This may seem like a lot at first glance, but partnering with a proven professional can make a huge difference in your final net proceeds. Our data shows that the top 5% of agents across the U.S. sell homes for as much as 10% more than the average real estate agent. A 10% higher selling price can make the Realtor fee a profitable investment.

Try HomeLight’s Agent Commissions Calculator to get an idea of how much you might pay in Realtor fees in Texas.

HomeLight’s free Agent Match platform can connect you with a top real estate agent in your market.

Seller concessions

Negotiations with a buyer can result in additional indirect costs related to seller concessions or buyer incentives, although Candelario believes that “a lower price is better than a concession.”

A concession occurs when a seller agrees to use part of the proceeds from their home sale to cover some, or all, of a buyer’s closing costs. The amount of these costs will depend on your market and selling situation.

Some common seller concessions or buyer incentives in Texas might be:

• Home inspection fees: $296-$423 depending on square footage
• Buyer’s home warranty: $450-$600
• Covering certain closing costs: $2,200-$1,350

Closing costs and additional fees

Closing costs are fees associated with a home purchase that buyers and sellers pay at the close of a real estate transaction. The average seller closing cost total in Texas is around 2% to 6%. “That doesn’t include property taxes,” Candelario states.

Based on our example home sale price of $330,950, a Texas seller might pay the following in closing costs:

• Escrow fee: $3,309.50 to $6,619
• Homeowner’s association dues: $349 per month average in Dallas
• Mortgage loan payoff: Ask lender (Texas average is $286,565)
• Reconveyance fees: Varies by county, but typically about $5-$25 for the first page
• Reconveyance recording fees approximately $15 to $40 depending on the county.

Candelario says in multiple-offer scenarios, buyers usually pay:

• Title insurance premiums: $6,792
• Title search fees: $100 to $250

Candelario says property taxes are not included in closing costs. Prorated property taxes on a $330,950 home could be as high as $$6,619, or 2% of the actual sale price.

At-a-glance home selling cost example for Texas

Selling expense	Example cost	% of home sale price
Prepping your home for sale	$6,495.00	1.96%
Realtor® fees (commissions)	$18,202.25	5.5%
Seller concessions	$925.00	0.28%
Closing costs, taxes, fees	$3,520-$6,854	1%-2%
Total selling cost example	$24,787.00-$36,831.00	7%-12%

*Based on a home price of $330,950, not including the estimated mortgage payoff 

Relocation expenses

There’s a cost to the physical move. Prices vary widely, depending on the number of items you’re moving, the distance, and other factors. Here is a very general estimate of Texas moving costs:

• Typical cost to move: $327 to $2,969
• Typical cost to move out of state: $1,210 to $8,411 

How can I reduce my seller costs in Texas?

There are ways a seller in Texas might be able to reduce some of their selling costs. A few examples include:

• Make DIY repairs where possible
• Avoid the urge to over-improve or make unnecessary fixes
• Don’t stage your home: “re-stage” it using your furnishings
• Negotiate a lower commission with your real estate agent
• Use a discount-commission agent or brokerage
• Put your home up for sale by owner (FSBO), which can result in fewer proceeds
• Do not offer seller concessions or buyer incentives
• If you agree to pay closing costs, raise your home’s purchase price
• Time your home sale using HomeLight’s Best Time to Sell Calculator
• Use a top-performing agent with a proven list-to-sell ratio

How much will I make selling my Texas home?

A number of factors play a role in the net proceeds you’ll make on your home sale, including:

• Method of selling (agent, for sale by owner, cash buyer, or iBuyer)
• Cost of repairs and improvements
• Total concessions or buyer incentives
• Closing costs, including state and local taxes
• Mortgage balance pay-off amount

The mortgage payoff amount is typically the largest determining factor for calculating your net proceeds. The average Texas homeowner has a remaining mortgage balance of $286,565. If you’ve paid off your mortgage before selling your home, your proceeds can be generally calculated by subtracting selling costs from the sale price.

Try HomeLight’s free Net Proceeds Calculator to get an idea of how much you might make selling your Texas home.

As you look ahead to your next home purchase, try these other free HomeLight tools for buyers:

• Home Affordability Calculator
• Down Payment Calculator
• Closing Costs Calculator

Manage your expectations, plan, and partner with a top agent

Expect to pay certain expenses when selling your home: real estate agent commission, closing costs, and preparation costs. Some costs may be shouldered by the buyer, such as title fees.

To help determine which costs you’re obligated to pay, and how much you should spend to prepare your home for sale, consult a top real estate agent knowledgeable in your neighborhood.

HomeLight’s Agent Match platform can connect you with the highest-performing agents in your market who can help you make the best of your home sale. See our data-backed list of the top real estate agents in Texas.

Header Image Source (Roger Starnes Sr / Unsplash)