How much money would I left for selling my property?

In California, a seller’s total transaction costs typically range from 7% to 10% of the home’s sale price. Sellers generally bear most of the closing costs, with real estate commissions being the largest expense.

• Real Estate Agent Commissions: This is the largest cost, averaging about 5%–6% of the sale price in California (customarily split between the listing agent and the buyer’s agent).
• Transfer Taxes: California county transfer tax is typically $1.10 per $1,000 of the sale price (0.11%). Some cities also impose additional city transfer taxes.
• Owner’s Title Insurance: In California, it is customary for the seller to pay for the owner’s title insurance, which protects the buyer against future title disputes or liens.
• Escrow Fees: These fees are usually split between the buyer and the seller.
• Prorated Property Taxes: The seller is responsible for property taxes accrued up to the closing date.
• HOA Fees and Document Transfer Fees: Sellers typically pay for the preparation and transfer of homeowners association (HOA) documents to the buyer.
• Lender Payoff: Payment of the remaining mortgage balance and any related loan payoff fees.

Different cities may impose different taxes or fees, so selling costs can vary slightly by location. For example, the City of Los Angeles charges a 0.45% city transfer tax, and properties over $5.15 million are subject to the ULA (Mansion) Tax, starting at 4%.

Estimated Selling Costs – Alhambra, CA ($800,000)

(Excludes existing loan payoff and prorated property taxes)

Item	Calculation	Estimated Amount
Real Estate Commissions	5%–6%	$40,000 – $48,000
County Transfer Tax	$1.10 per $1,000	$880
Owner’s Title Insurance	Estimated	$1,800 – $2,500
Escrow Fees	Estimated	$2,000 – $2,500
HOA Fees	Flat	$300 – $600
Miscellaneous	Flat	$200 – $500

 Estimated Selling Costs – Los Angeles, CA ($800,000)

(Excludes existing loan payoff and prorated property taxes)

Item	Calculation	Estimated Amount
Real Estate Commissions	5%–6%	$40,000 – $48,000
County Transfer Tax	$1.10 per $1,000	$880
City Transfer Tax	0.45%	$3,600
ULA Mansion Tax	Not applicable	$0
Title Insurance	Seller paid	$2,000 – $2,500
Escrow Fees	Split	$1,500 – $2,000
Compliance Retrofitting	Required	$300 – $600
Miscellaneous	Administrative	$400 – $600

 

Key Factors Affecting Seller Transaction Costs

1.       City Transfer Taxes：Cities in the Greater Los Angeles area may impose additional transfer taxes, including Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Culver City, Pasadena, Pomona, and Redondo Beach. Rates range from 0.22% to over 5% for high-value properties.

City	Tax Name	Rate / Calculation	Notes
City of Los Angeles	City Transfer Tax (Base)	0.45% ($4.50 per $1,000)	In addition to county tax of 0.11%
City of Los Angeles	ULA Tax (Mansion Tax)	4% – 5.5%	4% over $5.3M; 5.5% over $10.6M (new thresholds starting July 2025)
Santa Monica	City Transfer Tax (Tier 1)	0.3% ($3.00 per $1,000)	Applies to properties under $5M
Santa Monica	City Transfer Tax (Tier 2)	0.6% ($6.00 per $1,000)	Applies to $5M–$8M properties
Santa Monica	City Transfer Tax (Tier 3 – GS)	5.6% ($56 per $1,000)	Applies to properties $8M+ (Measure GS)
Culver City	Tiered Transfer Tax (Measure RE)	0.45% – 4.0%	0.45% under $1.5M; up to 4% on portion over $10M
Pasadena	City Transfer Tax	0.22% ($2.20 per $1,000)	About half of LA City’s rate
Pomona	City Transfer Tax	0.22% ($2.20 per $1,000)	—
Redondo Beach	City Transfer Tax	0.22% ($2.20 per $1,000)	—

 2.        Repair Costs

If buyers request repairs or credits after the home inspection, these costs directly reduce the seller’s net proceeds.

3.       Market Conditions
In a seller’s market, sellers may negotiate for buyers to cover some costs traditionally paid by sellers (such as title insurance or escrow fees).

About Me

My name is Helen Xiong, and I am a Realtor® with Coldwell Banker George Realty in Los Angeles. I am dedicated to helping people achieve homeownership and build a better life. As the saying goes, everything begins with land. I am here to help you with your real estate needs, whether you are buying, selling, or simply learning about the housing market.

Learn more about me at: cmyhousesolutions.com
Want to tour a home you’re interested in? Reach out to me on Realtor.com.
Book an insight consultation with me at: calendly.com/min_xiong