Our home sale calculator estimates how much money you will make selling your home.
Net proceeds are profits you'll walk away with after the sale of your home. Learn more about the home sale calculator line items to understand the true costs of selling a house and your realistic proceeds.
We recommend beginning with your Zestimate, Zillow's best estimate of your home's market value. The Zestimate is based on a blend of valuation methods, with a median error rate of 3.5%. If your home is in peak selling condition, you can assume the Zestimate is a strong starting point for your home's market value. If you have already received an offer at a different sale price, edit the field for the most accurate net proceeds calculation.
The balance you still owe on your home loan is your estimated mortgage balance. Contact your lender to receive a more accurate loan payoff amount which will include interest, principal and potentially a prepayment fee. To estimate your remaining mortgage, calculate your amortization schedule. You can update the balance field in the home sale calculator.
Completing a professional home inspection prior to listing helps you avoid surprises and sale price reductions when the buyer completes their inspection. These run about $250-$700 and alert you to any major issues with your home. If you fix them prior to listing, you are not required to disclose them in most markets.
Unless you plan to sell as-is for less than peak value, expect to make some improvements before listing, 79% of sellers do according to the Zillow Group Consumer Housing Trends Report 2018. The most common home improvement based on Zillow and Thumbtack analysis is painting the home's interior, a national cost of $1,245. Next is landscaping the yard; nationally sellers pay $145 for this service. Tied for third on the list is replacing or repairing carpeting or flooring, and making bathroom improvements. Some small scale items to think about are patching holes, cleaning window exteriors or repairing a fence post. Larger costs could include a new water heater, updated appliances or roof replacement. These costs range by location due to weather wear and tear and buyer preference.
In addition to repairs, you'll want to prepare your home for shoppers. Home staging is common in most markets, and runs about $1,805 for the median U.S. seller, according to Zillow and Thumbtack analysis. Removing clutter from your home and clearing some of the bulk items into storage is an extra expense that helps a home sell. And don't forget a thorough house cleaning, about $160 for the median U.S. seller.
Your listing agent commission usually covers online listing fees, professional photography and videography, advertising on social media and open house expenses such as yard signs, listing flyers and ads. If you're selling FSBO like 36% of sellers attempt to at first, according to the Zillow Group Report, be prepared to pay all of these costs up front.
Whether you vacate your property or stay until closing, you're still responsible for continuing to pay your mortgage, property taxes, homeowners insurance and utilities until you hand over the keys. Just because you've accepted an offer, does not mean you stop paying these ownership expenses.
Although the costs of moving and temporary housing are not deducted from your net proceeds at closing, they're still expenses to consider when deciding to sell because they are out-of-pocket costs. The median costs for moving locally in the U.S. is $475, according to Zillow and Thumbtack analysis. If you are selling first before buying you'll typically need to move twice; once into temporary housing and then again into your new home.
Sellers usually pay both their listing agent's commission and the buyer agent's commission charges, generally 2-3% of the home sale price per agent. Agent commission fees are negotiable at the onset of your partnership. However, expect to pay up to 3% for the buyer's agent whether you plan to sell FSBO or with an agent.
Sellers make a one-time payment for the new owner's title insurance at closing. This insurance protects the new owner of the home from any disputes over claim to the title of the property or outstanding liens from creditors, contractors or the government.
During a purchase and sale transaction, the seller usually hires an escrow company to act as a third party to oversee the buyers earnest money and final purchase funds. Escrow providers also distribute the sale proceeds to your lender, agent and any other parties at closing before transferring the profit to you. Escrow providers typically charge a flat fee.
In some markets, you are required to hire a closing attorney as part of the selling process. The cost of a closing attorney deducts an additional $800-$1,200 from your profit.
Government transfer tax, also known as a title fee, are taxes paid by the seller when the title for the home passes from seller to buyer at closing. Transfer taxes range widely by location because they're applied regionally. It's also possible that no transfer taxes apply.
At closing, escrow will ensure you've paid your share of the property's taxes up to the date of closing. Homeowners pay property taxes in a variety of ways; sometimes twice yearly in lump sums, or monthly to your escrow account. If you're short on your portion of the property taxes at closing, the excess will be deducted from your home sale profit.
If your home is part of a Homeowners Association, you will owe a prorated portion of the fees based on your closing date. You may also owe HOA transfer fees. If you owe dues at closing, they'll be deducted from your net proceeds.
Many homeowners avoid capital gains taxes when selling their primary home by qualifying for the capital gains tax exemption. First, you must have lived in the home for at least two of the last five years of ownership. And the profits are taxable if they exceed $250,000 for single filers or $500,000 for joint/married filers.
Purchasing a home warranty for one year's coverage of important systems and appliances can provide buyers the assurance they need to close the deal. A home warranty ranges in price around $500 for one year.
In markets that favor buyers, you might offer your buyer a credit toward closing costs during negotiations. In fact, 83% of sellers make a concession to finalize an offer according to the Zillow Group Consumer Housing Trends Report 2018. This is also called a seller assist or seller concession. The credit you offer them covers some of their closing costs. This would be an additional deduction of your home sale proceeds.
