💰 Blog #15: What Fees Will I Pay When I Sell My Home?

You’re getting ready to sell, and naturally, the question pops up:“How much will I actually walk away with after everything’s said and done?”

Totally valid — and super important.Let’s talk about the real costs of selling your home, so there are no surprises on closing day.

🏡 1. Realtor Commission

Let’s start with the big one — agent commission.In most cases, the seller pays both the listing agent and the buyer’s agent commission at closing.

Commissions vary, but they’re usually around 5–6% of the final sale price, split between both agents.

💬 Pro Tip: A great Realtor earns their fee by pricing your home right, marketing it strategically, negotiating like a pro, and getting you to the closing table smoothly (and usually for more than you could’ve sold on your own).

⚖️ 2. Attorney Fees (Illinois Requirement)

In Illinois, both the buyer and seller use attorneys to handle the paperwork and contract review.Seller attorney fees usually range between $500–$800, depending on the complexity of the deal.

This covers document prep, title coordination, and legal peace of mind — definitely worth it.

📜 3. Title Fees & Transfer Costs

When you sell, you’re transferring legal ownership of your home to the buyer — that comes with a few costs:

• Title insurance: Protects the buyer’s ownership rights (usually seller-paid in Illinois).

• Transfer tax: Paid to the county, city, or state.

• Recording fees: Small fees for officially updating property records.

These vary depending on where you live, but they typically total a few hundred dollars.

💡 4. Repairs or Credits After Inspection

If the inspection turns up repairs, you might choose to fix items or offer the buyer a credit toward repairs.This isn’t always necessary — but it’s smart to plan for the possibility so you’re not caught off guard later.

Remember: inspection negotiations are part of the process, and I’ll help you handle them strategically so you keep as much profit as possible.

🏦 5. Mortgage Payoff

If you still have a mortgage, part of your sale proceeds will go toward paying off your existing loan balance.Your lender will send a final payoff statement before closing, so you’ll know the exact amount down to the penny.

📦 6. Optional Costs to Boost Your Sale

These aren’t mandatory, but they can help you sell faster or for more:

• Professional cleaning or staging

• Minor cosmetic updates (paint, flooring, curb appeal)

• Pre-inspection or repair work

Think of these as investments — not expenses — when done smartly.

🧮 7. The Net Sheet

Before we list, I’ll create a seller net sheet for you — basically a line-by-line breakdown showing:

• Expected sale price

• All estimated costs and fees

• Your estimated profit after everything’s paid off

No surprises. Just clarity.

❤️ The Bottom Line

Yes, there are a few costs involved in selling your home — but when you know them upfront and plan strategically, you stay in control.

The goal is simple: walk away with as much profit as possible and zero stress.That’s where experience, strong pricing, and smart negotiation come in.

📞 Ready to See What You Could Net From Your Sale?

I’ll create a personalized breakdown for you — including your estimated closing costs and profit based on today’s market.

👉 Call or text me at 331-980-0461📧 Email: RealtorAlyssaB@gmail.com

Let’s see what selling your home could look like — and make sure every dollar works in your favor. 💫