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

If you are thinking about selling a home in Murrieta, Temecula, or Southwest Riverside County, one of the first questions on your mind is probably, how much will this cost me? The honest answer is that total seller costs typically run about 6% to 10% of the sale price once commissions are included, with roughly another 1% to 2% going to title, escrow, transfer tax, and related closing costs. Here is what that money pays for, what is negotiable, and how to plan for it without surprises.

Laura Holbert and Cheryl Shadden of Team Integrity Realty guide sellers through this every week. We believe in education-first, transparent guidance, so this article walks through each cost so you can go into the process with a clear picture of what you will actually walk away with.

Why Knowing Your Costs Up Front Matters

Selling costs directly affect two things: the price you can set, and the net proceeds you will receive at closing. When you know what it truly costs to sell, you can price your home with confidence instead of guessing, and you can make a clear decision about whether selling now makes sense for your situation. A realistic budget also protects you from an uncomfortable surprise at the closing table, which is exactly the kind of stress we help our clients avoid.

The best place to start is a clear estimate of what your home is worth. You can request a free home valuation from our team, and then we build a net proceeds projection around that number.

Real Estate Commissions: The Biggest Line Item

The largest single cost of selling is almost always the real estate commission, which is typically 5% to 6% of the sale price combined across the listing side and the buyer's side. It is important to understand that compensation is negotiable and is not set by law. It is an agreement you enter into with your brokerage, and it is paid from the proceeds of the sale at closing.

We explain how this compensation works, what may come out of an agent's share, and what to ask before you sign in our article on how real estate agent compensation works. When you interview us, we are happy to walk you through exactly how our fee is structured and what you receive in return: pricing strategy, professional marketing, negotiation, and transaction management from listing to closing.

Title, Escrow, and Recording Fees

Beyond commission, sellers in Southern California typically pay for the owner's title insurance policy, a share of the escrow fee, and recording fees. In our area it is customary for the seller to pay for the owner's policy, which protects the buyer, and this often runs roughly 0.18% to 0.5% of the sale price. Your share of escrow fees commonly falls somewhere in the range of $1,000 to $2,500 depending on the sale price and the escrow company.

Combined, title and escrow service fees often come to about 1% to 2% of the price. These exact figures vary by company and by the specifics of your transaction, so your escrow officer will give you a precise estimate early on. Your listing agent should walk you through the seller fees you can expect in Murrieta before you commit to anything.

Documentary Transfer Tax

When a property changes hands, a documentary transfer tax is typically recorded with the county. In Riverside County, this tax is commonly paid by the seller and runs about $1.10 per $1,000 of the sale price. On a $700,000 home, that works out to roughly $770. Some cities add an additional transfer tax, so the exact rate depends on where the property sits, and it is a small but real line item you will see on your closing statement.

Concessions, Repairs, and the Inspection

Two costs that are easy to overlook are seller concessions and inspection-related repairs. After the buyer's inspection, sellers often negotiate a credit or a price adjustment for requested repairs. It is common to budget a few thousand dollars for this, and the amount varies widely with the age and condition of the home. This is not a sign that anything went wrong; it is a normal part of most California sales.

Preparing well in advance can reduce these costs. Our guide to preparing your home for sale and our look at what buyers and sellers need to know about inspections can help you handle routine maintenance before the buyer's inspector ever visits. Taking care of small items up front often heads off larger requests later.

Prorations, HOA Fees, and Disclosures

At closing, property taxes are typically prorated so each side pays their share for the time they own the home, and homeowners association dues are handled the same way if your property is in an HOA. Sellers also pay for any required documentation, such as HOA disclosure packages and certain reports, which are passed through as part of the transaction.

California has strict disclosure requirements, and getting these right protects you after the sale is done. Our guide to California seller disclosures explains what you are required to provide. There may also be capital gains tax considerations depending on how long you have owned the home and how much gain you have, which is something to review with a tax professional alongside your real estate planning.

How to See Your True Net Proceeds

The most useful number for a seller is not the sale price, but the net proceeds: the amount you actually receive after every cost is deducted. Your listing agent can prepare a net proceeds estimate for you that includes commission, title and escrow fees, transfer tax, prorations, and an allowance for concessions and repairs. That document turns a vague sense of "what will I get" into a concrete number you can plan around, whether you are moving across town, downsizing, or selling and buying at the same time.

We explain how this estimate is built and what to watch for in our guide to understanding net proceeds. And because the estimate depends on price, our pricing strategy and the latest market report give you a grounded starting point for the top line.

How We Help You Plan for the Real Number

Selling a home should not feel like a guessing game about what it will cost. When you work with us, we start by listening to your goals, then we give you an honest estimate of your home's value and a realistic picture of your net proceeds before you ever decide to list. We lay out every cost, explain what is negotiable, and help you prepare so there are no unwelcome surprises at closing.

If you are curious about what your home might be worth and what you would walk away with, we would love to walk through it with you. There is no obligation and no pressure, just a clear picture of your options so you can decide with confidence. That is how we like to work, and it is why clients trust us with one of the most important decisions they make.