How Much Does It Cost to Sell a Home in Texas?

A Simple 2025 Seller Cost Breakdown

Selling a home in Texas comes with a unique set of fees, closing costs, and preparation expenses. And because Houston is one of the fastest-growing metros in the country, seller costs can vary depending on location, price point, and HOA or master-planned community requirements.

Total Cost to Sell in Texas: The Quick Answer

Most Houston-area sellers can expect to spend 8%–13% of the home’s sale price when all fees and prep costs are included.

Here’s the simple breakdown:

• Agent commissions → Usually the largest cost

• Title & escrow fees → Regulated, most often seller-paid in Texas

• HOA / master-planned community fees → Transfer fees, resale certificates, compliance

• Property tax prorations → Texas collects property tax in arrears

• Repairs / make-ready costs → Case-by-case

• Staging & photography → Optional, but increases buyer demand

• Buyer incentives (sometimes) → Needed in slower markets or with new builds competing nearby

Below, we cover each cost — with Houston-area numbers.

1. Agent Commission

Texas does not regulate commission amounts; they are fully negotiable. Most full-service listings in Houston close with 5%–6% total commission, split between the listing agent and buyer's agent.

What a full-service listing typically includes: pricing strategy, marketing, showings, contract & negotiation management, inspection follow-up, closing coordination - services that can influence net proceeds and time on market.

For large, competitive markets like Houston, this expertise directly impacts your final price and days on market.

2. Title Insurance Policy

Texas uses state-regulated pricing, and in most cases the seller pays for the buyer’s title policy.

Cost range: 0.5%–0.8% of the sale price

Examples:

• $300,000 home → $1,800–$2,400

• $500,000 home → $3,000–$4,000

This cost is state-regulated and depends on the price of the home.

3. Escrow / Closing Fees

These cover document prep, escrow management, wiring, and closing coordination.

Typical range: $500–$900

4. HOA Fees, Transfer Fees & Resale Certificate

If your home belongs to an HOA- common in master-planned communities like Bridgeland, Towne Lake, Elyson, Cross Creek Ranch, Dunham Pointe, Kresston, Colton, and Marvida- expect:

• Resale certificate: $200–$300

• Transfer fee: $150–$300

• Outstanding dues (varies)

Some luxury communities or townhome/gated communities may charge more.

5. Prorated Property Taxes

Texas collects property tax in arrears, meaning sellers reimburse buyers for taxes covering the portion of the year they occupied the home.

Example: If your property tax bill is $8,000/year, and you sell mid-year, you may owe around $4,000 prorated to the buyer.

This is not an added cost, but sellers should be prepared for the impact on their net proceeds.

6. Loan Payoff

Your remaining mortgage balance will be paid off from your sale proceeds. If applicable, you may also have loan payoff fees, prepayment penalties (rare in Texas), and/or home equity loan payoff.

7. Optional Prep Costs

This is the area with the widest cost variation and the biggest return on investment when done correctly.

Typical Seller Prep Costs

• Pre-inspection (optional): $300–$600

• Repairs: Minor touch-ups to major fixes

• Paint & flooring refresh: $1,000–$4,000+

• Cleaning + landscaping: $150–$500

• Staging (partial or full): $500 – $2,500

Houston buyers expect clean, move-in-ready homes. Small improvements often yield 3–10x returns.

Newcomb Realty Group can walk your home with you months in advance to tell you what matters, what doesn’t, and where you’ll get your highest return.

8. Moving Costs

Most local moves fall between $500 and $2,000, depending on your distance and how much help you need. Long-distance moves cost more and should be factored into your overall plan.

9. Buyer Incentives (Optional)

In a competitive market, sellers sometimes offer incentives to strengthen buyer interest:

• Rate buy-downs

• Closing cost credits

• Home warranties

• Repair allowances

These can range from a few hundred dollars to 1%–2% of the sale price, depending on market conditions.

Your realtor can help determine when (and if) incentives are worth offering.

What Most Texas Sellers Actually Spend

Low-prep sale: 6%–8% of the sale price

High-prep or incentive-heavy sale: 10%–13%+ of the sale price

Ready to Understand Your True Cost to Sell?

Newcomb Realty Group offers a free, no-pressure consultation where we:

• Walk your home

• Outline your personalized cost-to-sell

• Estimate your net proceeds

• Build a timeline that fits your goals

Your strategy starts before your sign hits the yard. Let us be there to help.

📞 Book a consultation call: 832-779-5478
🌐 Visit our website: www.newcombrealtygroup.com
📲 Connect with us: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | YouTube | LinkedIn