The Real Cost of Selling Your Home
Are you thinking about selling your home but don’t really know how much it will cost you? Well, that’s what we are talking about today.
Hi everyone, I’m Kim Devlin with the Kim Devlin Team in beautiful St Augustine Florida. Here I share information on communities, the market, real estate and also give tips. If you want to know about all things pertaining to Northeast Florida real estate, then you’re in the right place!
So, let’s talk about all the possible costs you may incur when you sell your home. This will help you budget accordingly. Before we dive in, I want to note that this is a rough guide. Some of these expenses will apply to you, while others will not. If you want numbers that are specific to your home, feel free to reach out as we are happy to walk you through these calculations, hopefully to minimize your expenses and sell your home for top dollar.
Closing costs for Sellers in Florida
First Impressions Matter!
Did you know that some expenses you incur as a seller will be paid for before you even list your home for sale? The reason is, you must prep the home and get it as close to tip top shape as you can if you really want that top dollar sale.
I’ve said it before and will say it again…First impressions matter!
When listing your home, you want it to sparkle inside and out. You can hire a professional to clean your home or you can do it yourself. Either way, be sure to factor this into your budget. Remember the price will vary depending on the size of your home and how much cleaning it needs.
The same is true for the exterior. You want to ensure your home has strong curb appeal. In order to achieve this, I recommend spending a little time, and money, to make sure your home looks as good as possible.
It’s so important that your home looks well maintained and cared for. If there are any repairs, big or small, that you have been putting off, then it’s probably a good idea to have them fixed before listing.
To make this easy, download my sellers prep guide. You can also check out this video here that will give you some great ideas on how to get your home ready to list!
Costs
Here are some of the costs you may incur when selling your home:
#1: Repairs
I already mentioned doing repairs before the listing but depending on the state of the market and the outcome of your buyer’s inspections, some additional repairs may be inevitable. Don’t worry, your real estate agent will be able to give you an idea of what is typical in your area.
#2: Commissions
Typically, the Seller will be responsible for paying commissions to the listing brokerage upon closing. Each real estate agent is responsible for setting their own rate. Be sure you understand what that expense is in advance, and also what services or marketing you can expect to receive for that fee.
#3: Seller Concessions
Seller concessions are certain costs the seller agrees to pay on behalf of the buyer. In many cases this will depend on the state of the market. For example, if you find yourself listing in a strong seller’s market (where there are more buyers than sellers), you likely won’t need to budget for any concessions. On the flip side, if you are in a strong buyer’s market then you may offer to pay certain costs in order to entice a buyer to purchase your home.
#4: Closing Costs
Depending on your market, closing costs can include title, escrow, and/or legal fees, tax stamps and title insurance. In St Johns County Florida, the seller is responsible for the tax stamps and title insurance, if they are the party choosing the title company. Your agent can provide you with an estimated seller net sheet prior to listing your home so you can have a good idea of what your proceeds from the sale will be.
#5: Home Warranty
In some cases, you may find that a buyer is requesting for you to pay for a home warranty. This policy protects the buyer from large expenses in the event that any of the major systems or appliances fail. This is usually negotiated in the contract and will depend on the type of market you are in.
#6: HOA Dues
Do you live in a community with an HOA that imposes fees when selling your property? If so, be sure you understand those costs, and of course, add them to your budget. These may include capital improvement fees, disclosure fees, and fees to prepare necessary documents. If you have any outstanding fines, you will also need to budget for the payment of these. This info will all come to light during the title process, but you can certainly call your Community Association Manager for this information beforehand.
#7 Mortgage Expenses
Always make sure to read your mortgage documents carefully. Is there a fee for paying off your mortgage early? Are there any other processing fees that you may incur from your lender? If so, then these need to be added to your total budget. If you aren’t sure, call your lender and they will certainly be able to assist you.
#8: Moving Costs
This is one of the most forgotten expenses! Don’t forget to budget for all packing and moving expenditures. This includes boxes, tape, moving trucks, storage rentals, movers, etc. You might also want to budget for pizza and beer as a ‘thank you’ to all the family and friends that helped you!
#9: Temporary Accommodation
Do you need somewhere to stay in between selling your current home and buying your next one? If so, be sure to budget for all costs associated with that interim accommodation. This can include rent, deposits, and utilities. If you will be closing on your next home before you sell your current home, it’s imperative to budget for the ongoing expenses of maintaining both homes at the same time. Keep in mind you will also be required to pay the taxes, utilities, insurance, mortgage, and HOA dues through to the day of closing. So definitely don’t forget to include this in your budget.
Overall Budget
So how much should you budget overall?
As mentioned at the beginning, the costs associated with selling depends on many different factors. If you would like specific numbers for your home and your unique circumstances, please get in touch. It would be our pleasure to draw up a custom net sheet showing you exactly how much you can expect on the sale of your home. Overall, you should budget roughly 10% of your home’s sale price in expenses. If you end up spending less, you will be pleasantly surprised, and you can put that extra money towards your next home.
I hope you found this info helpful, reach out anytime with questions. I’m here to help. Thanks so much for tuning in and I will catch you on the next one.