What Is the Cost to Sell a House in Texas?

Pack your cowboy boots and kolaches recipes; you’re ready to sell your Texas home!

After new home sales set records in 2021, the Texas housing market cooled in recent months, generally seeing decreases for homes under $400,000 that offset increases for homes priced over $750,000.

In June, the Texas median home price experienced its first drop since December 2020, coming in at $349,000. With the exception of San Antonio, price drops were evident in the large metros, Austin, Dallas–Fort Worth, and Houston. While home price growth may be slowing, current prices are still significantly higher than before the pandemic, according to the Texas Real Estate Research Center.

Nevertheless, Gina Candelario, a top agent who works with 78% more single-family homes than the average San Antonio, Texas, agent, says sales are good and it’s still a seller’s market.

While prices have fluctuated, the average days on market (DOM) hit an all-time Texas low of 28 this spring, perhaps because, as Candelario says, inventory is still tight.

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Start with a home value estimate

Home values across the United States recently increased by an average of 19% in a single year. With values and markets changing so dramatically, now may be a good time to check up on your home value. You may be pleasantly surprised to see what your house might be worth.

To get an initial idea, you can request a quick online value estimate using HomeLight’s Home Value Estimator. This free automated valuation model (AVM) tool will use recent sales transactions, local market trends, and your home’s latest selling price, to provide a preliminary range of value for your property in under two minutes. Just enter your address to get started.

How much does it cost to sell a house in Texas?

While your out-of-pocket costs depend on your situation and other variables, the cost to sell a house in Texas generally averages about 7% to 8% of the final sale price. That includes real estate agent commission, escrow, and assorted fees (some of which are negotiable with the buyer) but does not include mortgage payoff.

To illustrate, if you sold your Texas Craftsman home for $325,000, the seller’s costs could range from $22,750 to $26,000.

We’ll examine some of those expenses in detail.

What are common expenses for home sellers in Texas?

While every situation is different, here are some typical costs you may incur when selling your Texas home.

Prepping your home for sale

• Home repairs: $500 to $45,000
• Staging: $78 to $109 per hour, or about $7,765 for a 2,000-square-foot home
• Professional cleaning services: $160 to $200, based on a 2,000-square-foot home
• Paint for interior spaces: $1.10 to $2.80 per square foot (plus material)
• Landscaping work: $3,000 to $15,950
• Pre-listing inspection, if desired or needed: $279 to $400

Before undertaking any large renovation projects or repairs, consult with your Realtor®. An experienced real estate agent will know what needs to be fixed and what can be skipped. Candelario says deep cleaning is the “biggest thing.” She says, “Paint, mulch, bleach, and Windex go a long way.”

Realtor® fees in Texas

Agent commissions are one of the largest selling costs in a real estate transaction. In Texas, Realtor® fees average 6%. Based on our $325,000 Texas Craftsman home sale example, you can expect to pay $19,500 in real estate agent commissions. A typical agent commission split might look like this:

• Listing agent fee: $9,750
• Buyer’s agent fee: $9,750

This may seem like a lot at first glance, but partnering with a proven professional can make a huge difference in your final net proceeds. Our data shows that the top 5% of agents across the U.S. sell homes for as much as 10% more than the average real estate agent. A 10% higher selling price can make the Realtor® fee a profitable investment.

Try HomeLight’s Agent Commissions Calculator to get an idea of how much you might pay in Realtor® fees in Texas.

HomeLight’s free Agent Match platform can connect you with a top real estate agent in your market.

Seller concessions

Negotiations with a buyer can result in additional indirect costs related to seller concessions or buyer incentives, although Candelario believes that “a lower price is better than a concession.”

A concession occurs when a seller agrees to use part of the proceeds from their home sale to cover some, or all, of a buyer’s closing costs. The amount of these costs will depend on your market and selling situation.

Some common seller concessions or buyer incentives in Texas might be:

• Home inspection fees: $300 to $500
• Buyer’s home warranty: $450 to $850
• Covering certain closing costs: $26,000-$27,625

Closing costs and additional fees

Closing costs are fees associated with a home purchase that buyers and sellers pay at the close of a real estate transaction. The average seller closing cost total in Texas is around 8% to 8.5%. “That doesn’t include property taxes,” Candelario states.

Based on our example home sale price of $325,000, a Texas seller might pay the following in closing costs:

• Escrow fee: $3,250 to $6,500
• Homeowner’s association dues: $262/month average in Austin
• Mortgage loan payoff: Ask lender (Texas average is $176,736)
• Reconveyance fees: $50 to $65
• Reconveyance recording fees $10 to $30 for the first page

Candelario says in multiple-offer scenarios, buyers usually pay:

• Title insurance premiums $2,118
• Title search fees $100 to $200

Candelario says property taxes are not included in closing costs. Prorated property taxes on a $325,000 home could be as high as $5,882.50, or 1.81% of the actual sale price.

At-a-glance home selling cost example for Texas

*Based on a home price of $325,000, not including the estimated mortgage payoff

Relocation expenses

There’s a cost to the physical move. Prices vary widely, depending on the number of items you’re moving, the distance, and other factors. Here is a very general estimate of Texas moving costs:

• Typical cost to move: $1,673 to $2,959
• Typical cost to move out of state: $3,545 to $8050

How can I reduce my seller costs in Texas?

There are ways a seller in Texas might be able to reduce some of their selling costs. A few examples include:

• Make DIY repairs where possible
• Avoid the urge to over-improve or make unnecessary fixes
• Don’t stage your home: “re-stage” it, using your furnishings
• Negotiate a lower commission with your real estate agent
• Use a discount-commission agent or brokerage
• Put your home up for sale by owner (FSBO), which can result in fewer proceeds
• Do not offer seller concessions or buyer incentives
• If you agree to pay closing costs, raise your home’s purchase price
• Time your home sale using HomeLight’s Best Time to Sell Calculator
• Use a top-performing agent with a proven list-to-sell ratio

How much will I make selling my Texas home?

A number of factors play a role in the net proceeds you’ll make on your home sale, including:

• Method of selling (agent, for sale by owner, cash buyer, or iBuyer)
• Cost of repairs and improvements
• Total concessions or buyer incentives
• Closing costs, including state and local taxes
• Mortgage balance pay-off amount

The mortgage payoff amount is typically the largest determining factor for calculating your net proceeds. The average Texas homeowner has a remaining mortgage balance of $176,736.

If you’ve paid off your mortgage before selling your home, your proceeds can be generally calculated by subtracting selling costs from the sale price.

Try HomeLight’s free Net Proceeds Calculator to get an idea of how much you might make selling your Texas home.

As you look ahead to your next home purchase, try these other free HomeLight tools for buyers:

• Home Affordability Calculator
• Down Payment Calculator
• Closing Costs Calculator

Manage your expectations, plan, and partner with a top agent

Expect to pay certain expenses when selling your home: real estate agent commission, closing costs, and preparation costs. Some costs may be shouldered by the buyer, such as title fees.

To help determine which costs you’re obligated to pay, and how much you should spend to prepare your home for sale, consult a top real estate agent knowledgeable in your neighborhood.

HomeLight’s Agent Match platform can connect you with the highest-performing agents in your market who can help you make the best of your home sale. See our data-backed list of the top real estate agents in Texas.

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