2025 Data: Selling a Home Costs More Than $65,000

Home-Selling Costs | Repair Costs | Commission Costs | Closing Costs | Concession Costs | Marketing and Moving Costs | Priorities vs. Compromises | Profit Expectations | Seller Regrets | Hindsight Shapes Future Choices

Everyone knows buying a home is expensive, but many homeowners don't realize that selling one is costly too. From agent commission to closing fees and various other costs, home-selling expenses can add up quickly and shrink a seller's profit. 

More than half of sellers (55%) were surprised by the cost of selling their home, with 48% saying they underestimated how much they'd need, according to new research from Clever Offers.

Before they sold their home, sellers expected to pay an average of $18,557 on home-selling expenses. In reality, they spent more than triple that amount, with the average cost totaling $67,245. 

With costs far exceeding their expectations, it's no wonder 40% of sellers felt financially strained during the home-selling process, with nearly 1 in 4 (22%) taking on debt to cover the cost of selling their home. 

To learn more about how finances impacted Americans' home-selling decisions, we surveyed 1,000 people who have sold a home since 2023. We found that sellers were not aware of the true cost of selling a home, hindering their ability to financially prepare. 

About 41% of sellers did not budget for their home sale, and of those who did, nearly 1 in 5 (18%) would have budgeted differently.

In fact, 75% of sellers would have made different choices had they known the true cost of selling a home. With a different approach, sellers think they could have made $35,915 more on their home sale than they actually did. 

Keep reading to learn more about the true cost of selling a home in a market where sellers no longer have all the power.

Homeowners Spend More Than $67,000 on Home-Selling Expenses

Most sellers make money on their home sale, but the steep cost of selling can cut into their earnings. Homeowners have spent an average amount of $67,245 to sell their home since 2023.

Although the cost of selling a home varies, on average, homeowners spend the following amount on these expenses:

• Pre- and post-listing repairs, improvements, and renovations: $21,024
• Listing agent commission on the average-priced home: $14,204
• Optional buyer's agent commission on the average-priced home: $13,691
• Closing costs: $8,217
• Concessions to the buyer: $5,277
• Moving costs: $2,439
• Marketing and staging: $2,393

Before they sold their home, sellers expected to pay an average of $18,557 on home-selling expenses. With the real cost more than triple that amount, it's no wonder more than 1 in 3 home sellers (37%) say the cost of selling their home was higher than expected.

A knowledgeable real estate agent can help buyers avoid financial surprises when selling their home. About 81% of agent-represented sellers say their agent clearly explained the costs, leading to more realistic expectations. Only 29% of represented sellers say the cost was higher than expected, compared to 41% of unrepresented sellers.

Although the cost of selling a home is high, many sellers accept it as the cost of doing business. More than half of sellers (52%) don't think they underspent on any expense.

Sellers Spent $21,024 on Home Improvements

In a market where buyers are increasingly choosy, sellers strive to present well-maintained homes that stand out from the competition.

Roughly 71% of sellers made repairs when selling their home. Although 41% say repairs are a necessary part of the home-selling process, the expense is considerable. The average cost of pre- and post-listing repairs totaled $21,024.

Deciding which repairs are worth such a large investment can be challenging, which is why 92% of represented sellers followed their agent's advice when preparing their home for sale. About 63% of sellers think their agent's recommendations paid for themselves, with 52% saying they resulted in a higher sale price. 

However, one-third of sellers (30%) say repair costs were stressful, including 22% who say it's the most stressful of any selling cost. Another third (38%) say they spent more on repairs than they were comfortable with. 

Despite the financial strain, sellers generally agree that investing in repairs paid off. 

Out of all the home-selling expenses, sellers say repair costs were the most worthwhile and gave them the highest return on investment. Approximately 31% of sellers say repairs provided the highest return, nearly double the next-highest answer choices — commission costs and marketing costs — at 17% each.

If anything, sellers wish they had spent more on repairs. About 1 in 9 sellers (11%) have this regret, with unrepresented sellers (16%) nearly 2x more likely than represented sellers (9%) to feel this way.

Commission Fees Cost Sellers $27,895

For most sellers, commission fees are among the largest home-selling expenses. 

Typically, the seller spends 5% to 6% of the final home sale price on commission, which is split evenly between the buyer's and seller's agents. On the average-priced home, this equates to $27,895 — or about 41% of the total home-selling cost. 

Sellers can reduce their commission costs by opting not to pay the buyer's agent fee, saving $13,691 and lowering the total home-selling cost from $67,245 to $53,554. Still, many sellers continue to pay this optional expense to attract more buyers and hasten the sale. 

Even without the buyer's agent fee, commission costs are still a hefty expense that eat into potential profit. In fact, nearly 1 in 5 sellers (19%) regret that commission costs were too high, making it the most common source of remorse. 

Nearly 1 in 4 sellers (22%) think they overspent on commission, and if they could do it again, 1 in 6 (16%) would negotiate their agent's fee.

Despite the expense, many sellers recognize the importance of having a guide through the complicated home-selling process. More than 1 in 3 sellers (37%) say commission costs are a necessary expense.

What's more, 72% of represented sellers say their agent was worth the money, and 81% are satisfied with their decision to use an agent.

70% of Unrepresented Sellers Wanted to Save Money on Commission

Although most people use a real estate agent to sell their home, others may try an alternative method, such as a cash home-buying company. 

For these sellers, the motivation to forgo an agent comes down to cost. Of those who did not use an agent, 70% did so to save on Realtor fees. That's up from 59% in 2024 as the cooling market has sellers looking for ways to reduce costs and earn more profit. 

About two-thirds of unrepresented sellers (67%) think they saved money by not using an agent. 

Although these sellers saved on commission, they spent drastically more on repairs, concessions, and closing fees without an agent's expertise to guide them. In the end, sellers who did not use an agent saved only $5,953 more than those who did, while taking on the entire burden of selling a home themselves.

Overall, more than half of those who did not use an agent to sell their home (56%) wish they had. 

This regret often comes with a sense that they left money on the table. About 60% of unrepresented sellers think that if they had used a real estate agent, their home would have sold for a higher price, potentially leading to a higher profit. Indeed, 84% of represented sellers made a profit, compared to just 68% of unrepresented sellers.

Given the potential financial benefits, many unrepresented sellers are open to working with agents under the right circumstances. About 70% of unrepresented sellers would have considered using an agent if offered a discount on their commission.

Closing Fees Cost Sellers $8,217

Closing costs can fluctuate depending on location, lender requirements, and other factors. But on average, sellers spent $8,217 on closing costs, which include title insurance, a credit check, document prep, and other fees necessary to complete the sale. 

Although closing costs are a standard part of any home sale, their variable nature can make it hard for sellers to accurately budget. Out of all the expenses associated with selling a home, sellers say closing costs were the most unexpectedly expensive part of the process.

Closing costs leave many sellers frustrated, not only because they’re expensive, but also because it’s unclear what value they’re getting in return. About 1 in 5 sellers (20%) say closing costs were not explained to them. 

Without a full understanding of the charges, sellers may not shop around for the lowest prices. In fact, sellers say closing costs were the expense they overspent on the most (24%) but were the least worth their money (21%).

They also say closing costs were the expense that hurt the most financially.

Sellers Paid $5,277 in Concessions to Buyers

Sellers still rely on concessions to make homeownership more affordable for cost-conscious buyers — although the share of sellers making concessions has dipped slightly from 89% in 2024 to 80% in 2025. 

As sellers adjust to a market where they no longer have all the negotiating power, they're more likely to price and prepare their homes accurately from the start, reducing the need for concessions later on.

Of those who did make concessions, sellers were most likely to attract buyers by:

• Reducing the price (27%)
• Offering a flexible closing date (26%)
• Making repairs or offering repair credits (25%)
• Allowing an early move-in date (16%)
• Including personal property in the sale (16%)

While some concessions require a sacrifice of only time and convenience, others have a real monetary cost. Sellers say concessions to the buyer cost $5,277 on average. 

Although sellers anticipated giving concessions, they proved to be more costly than expected. One in 5 sellers (20%) say concession costs surprised them, with another fifth (20%) saying they spent too much. 

Half of sellers (50%) wish they would have negotiated more with the buyer, and if they could do it again, 1 in 9 (11%) would offer fewer concessions.

Moving and Marketing Expenses Cost Sellers $4,832

Beyond the big-ticket expenses, selling a home involves a variety of smaller, miscellaneous costs that can quickly add thousands of dollars to the overall price tag.

To attract buyers and speed up the sale, sellers spent an average of $2,393 to market and stage their home. Although that's a big additional expense, 1 in 5 sellers (20%) think these costs most helped them sell their home.

More than 1 in 3 sellers (37%) tried to cut costs by skipping services, such as staging, cleaning, and photography. But a majority of sellers say these costs are worthwhile. 

The services most worth the extra cost are:

• Good marketing (35%)
• High-quality listing photos (34%)
• Minor landscaping or curb appeal upgrades (29%)
• Professional cleaning (20%)
• Professional staging (18%)

Unfortunately, the costs don't stop after the sale is complete. Many sellers also pay to relocate, spending $2,439 on average.

Given how physically demanding moving can be, many sellers see the value in paying for extra help. About 26% of sellers say moving costs were worth every penny, while just 11% say they were a waste of money.

Nearly 8 in 10 Home Sellers Compromised Their Priorities

The housing market that favored sellers with fast offers above asking price is tipping back toward buyers. Sellers who once set the terms of the sale are now forced to compromise to close a deal.

Overall, 79% of sellers compromised their priorities when selling their home.

Homeowners prioritized the timing of their sale above all else, with 55% saying they wanted to sell quickly. That's up from 39% in 2025 as homes sit on the market longer.

With high home prices and interest rates keeping buyers out of the market, many sellers are having to wait longer than they hoped. Approximately 25% of sellers say their house took longer than expected to sell — nearly double the 13% who said the same in 2024.

What's more, 1 in 7 sellers (14%) had to close on the buyer's timeline.

After selling quickly, sellers prioritized getting the best return on their investment, with 51% saying they wanted to earn the highest possible profit. 

Interestingly, agent-represented sellers (56%) were more likely to say this was a priority than unrepresented sellers (39%). Meanwhile, sellers who did not use an agent (24%) were 2x more likely than those who did (11%) to prioritize an all-cash offer, often turning to iBuyers and We Buy Houses companies to sell quickly and minimize disruptions to their daily life.

Whether they got an offer on the open market or from a cash-buying company, sellers felt they had to accept less than they wanted to close the deal. More than 1 in 4 sellers (28%) say taking home a smaller profit was a compromise — the most common among all sellers. 

Another 27% say they compromised by lowering their asking price.

Across the board, sellers ended up compromising on a wide range of priorities: 

• 31% of sellers prioritized selling without repairs, but 27% had to make them.
• 26% of sellers prioritized selling without concessions, but 18% agreed to the buyer's terms.
• 21% of sellers prioritized finding an affordable real estate agent, but 17% paid their agent more commission than expected.
• 15% of sellers prioritized selling to a buyer with an all-cash offer, but 10% didn't sell to their ideal buyer.

Half of Sellers Say Profit Fell Short of Expectations Due to Selling Costs

Despite a cooling market, many sellers are still making a large profit on their home because of massive home-value appreciation during the pandemic. In fact, 79% of sellers made a profit on their home sale in 2025 — up from 64% in 2024. 

Not only are more sellers earning a profit, their returns are also higher. Sellers earned an average profit of $166,702 in 2025. That's a 14% increase from last year's average of $144,021.

But bigger profits don't always lead to higher satisfaction. Nearly 1 in 6 sellers (17%) are unsatisfied with their profit.

The disappointment typically stems from unmet expectations. More than half of sellers (51%) say their profit was less than expected because of the total cost to sell. 

Many sellers also found their profit fell short of expectations before their home even sold, with 43% lowering the asking price. Even then, a price reduction didn't guarantee a full-price offer. Sellers were more likely to say the buyer paid below the asking price (34%) than above it (20%).

With so many factors undermining sellers' profit, it's no surprise that failing to make enough money on their sale was the second most common regret among sellers, with about 1 in 6 (17%) expressing this disappointment. 

If they could do it again, 1 in 7 homeowners (14%) would wait to sell until home prices increased.

80% of Sellers Have Regrets About Their Sale

In the end, more than 1 in 4 home sellers (26%) were not satisfied with their home-selling experience, causing a majority to second guess their decisions. Approximately 80% of sellers have regrets about their home sale.

The most common regret is that Realtor commission was too expensive (19%), and 1 in 9 sellers (11%) regret that they didn't negotiate commission with their agent. 

Although sellers feel conflicted about the price of professional help, those who used an agent tended to have fewer regrets overall. About 77% of represented sellers have regrets, compared to 86% of unrepresented sellers.

Sellers also regret:

• Not selling for enough money (17%)
• Not negotiating enough with the buyer (16%)
• Underestimating how much it would cost to sell (15%)
• Not waiting for a better market (15%)
• Closing costs were too high (14%)

3 in 4 Home Sellers Wish They'd Made Different Decisions

Consumed with regret, many sellers think they could have avoided disappointment and made smarter choices if only they'd had more knowledge about the cost of selling a home. 

Had they known the true cost of selling a home, 75% of sellers would have made different decisions. In hindsight, sellers would have:

• Negotiated more with the buyer (21%)
• Listed their home for more (21%)
• Waited for more offers (20%)
• Budgeted differently (18%)
• Negotiated commission with their agent (16%)

By making different choices, sellers think they could have minimized costly mistakes and made a higher profit. Had they approached the process differently, sellers think they could have sold their home for $35,915 more than they actually did.

Methodology

Clever Real Estate conducted an online survey of 783 U.S. adults who sold a home between 2023 and 2025. Responses were collected from July 25 to Aug. 4, 2025. The survey included questions about sellers’ decisions and opinions related to selling their home during this period. All percentages are based on self-reported data and may not total 100% due to rounding.

About Clever Offers

Clever Offers is a platform that empowers sellers who need to sell quickly or for cash to compare their options and make informed decisions. Clever Offers' free service connects sellers with vetted cash buyers and top local realtors, allowing them to evaluate traditional cash offers alongside options such as cash offers with a second payment upon resale, listing on the MLS for as little as seven days, and standard open-market listings.

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