Back to all articles
Selling Education
Closing Costs Explained: Who Pays What When You Sell
Closing costs get mentioned constantly in real estate but rarely explained clearly — here’s a straightforward breakdown.
What sellers typically pay
In a traditional sale, sellers commonly cover agent commissions, transfer taxes, and a prorated share of property taxes — often totaling several percent of the sale price.
What buyers typically pay
Buyers usually cover their own loan-related fees, title insurance for their policy, and recording fees, though exact splits vary by local custom and negotiation.
How this differs in a cash sale
With no agent commissions and closing costs built into the offer, a seller in a direct cash sale typically doesn’t pay anything out of pocket at closing.
If you want to see exactly what you’d walk away with either way, we’re happy to lay out the real numbers side by side.