Knowing your bottom line before you list helps you plan your next move with confidence. Here are the main pieces.
Typical costs of selling
- Agent commission. Not set by law, negotiable, and outlined in your listing agreement.
- Escrow and title fees. Who pays each fee is customary by area and negotiable.
- County transfer tax. California counties charge $1.10 per $1,000 of sale price, and a few cities add their own.
- Loan payoff and any liens.
- Repairs and preparation, and any credits you agree to give the buyer.
- HOA document fees if applicable.
Estimate your net
The seller net proceeds estimator adds it all up and shows what happens if the price moves 5% up or down. Rudy prepares a detailed net sheet for your property before you list.
Tax basics
- Home-sale exclusion. Under federal law, if you owned and lived in the home as your main residence for at least two of the five years before the sale, you can exclude up to $250,000 of gain ($500,000 for married couples filing jointly). California follows the same rules.
- Basis. Your gain is the sale price, less selling costs, less your basis (what you paid plus qualifying improvements). Keep records of improvements.
- Investment property. Different rules apply, including the option of a 1031 exchange for investment property.
- Property tax portability. California Proposition 19 lets eligible homeowners transfer their property tax base to a replacement home in some situations.
Talk to a tax professional
Your situation is unique, so a CPA can tell you exactly how these rules apply to you. Rudy is happy to coordinate with yours.
General information only. Not tax or legal advice.
More in Seller Guides
- Pricing Your Home: Comparable Sales, Appraisals and Online Estimates — How a smart price is set, and how to use online estimates, appraisals and comparable sales together.
- Getting Your Home Ready: What Pays Off — A short, smart to-do list: the improvements, cleaning and staging that help homes shine.
- Seller Disclosures: The Forms, Made Simple — The California disclosure forms sellers complete, and how to fill them out with confidence.
- From Listing to Closing: The Timeline — A typical week-by-week schedule for selling a home, from preparation to closing day.
- Selling and Buying Together: Contingencies, Bridge Options and Rent-Backs — How to coordinate a sale and a purchase so your move fits together smoothly.
- Comparing Offers: Price, Terms and Certainty — How to read offers side by side and pick the one most likely to close on your terms.
- Special Situations: Probate and Trust Sales, Tenants, ADUs and More — Guidance for estate and trust sales, homes with tenants, accessory dwelling units and other special cases.
General information only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Programs, rules and limits change, so confirm details with your lender, escrow officer, attorney or tax professional.