Seller Closing Costs in Texas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina

If you are selling a home in the South or Southeast, your net proceeds depend heavily on knowing what closing costs you will actually owe. The range across these five states — Texas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina — is significant. Some states have no transfer tax and low recording fees; others add several thousand dollars in title and documentary stamp costs.

Here is a realistic breakdown for each state, using a $400,000 sale price as the reference point.

Typical Seller Closing Costs in Texas

Texas is one of the most seller-friendly states in terms of government-mandated fees. There is no state-level real estate transfer tax, which is a material difference from states like Delaware or Pennsylvania.

Typical seller closing costs in Texas on a $400,000 sale:

• Real estate agent commission: $20,000 to $24,000 (5-6% of sale price, split between listing and buyer's agent)
• Title insurance (owner's policy): In Texas, title insurance rates are promulgated (set by the state). For a $400,000 sale, the owner's title insurance premium is approximately $2,000. By custom, the seller pays for the owner's policy in most Texas markets.
• Settlement/escrow fee: $400 to $600 split with buyer, so seller pays $200 to $300
• Recording fees: $50 to $150 (the deed release and any lien releases)
• Attorney fees: Not required in Texas (escrow state), but some sellers engage one
• Outstanding liens, HOA fees, property taxes due: Variable — sellers must bring taxes current to closing date

Estimated total seller closing costs (excluding commission): $2,500 to $4,000

With commission: $22,500 to $28,000, or roughly 5.5-7% of the sale price

Texas law does not require a transfer tax, which keeps seller costs lower than average nationally. The largest variable for Texas sellers is the agent commission structure, and with recent changes to buyer agent commission disclosures, this may shift further in coming years.

Average Seller Closing Costs in Florida

Florida imposes a documentary stamp tax on deed transfers, which is the most significant government fee sellers face.

Florida documentary stamp tax on deeds: $0.70 per $100 of the sale price, rounded up to the nearest $100. On a $400,000 sale, this is $2,800. In Miami-Dade County, the rate is different — the surtax for Miami-Dade is $0.45 per $100 in addition to the $0.60 base rate, for a total of $1.05 per $100, which on $400,000 comes to $4,200.

Typical seller closing costs in Florida on a $400,000 sale (non Miami-Dade):

• Real estate agent commission: $20,000 to $24,000
• Documentary stamp tax on deed: $2,800
• Title insurance: In most Florida counties, the seller customarily pays for the owner's title policy. Rates are promulgated; on $400,000 the premium is approximately $2,000 to $2,400.
• Settlement fee: $400 to $700 (split, seller half $200 to $350)
• Recording fees: $10 per page plus $1 per additional name, typically $50 to $200 total
• Title search: $200 to $400

Estimated total seller closing costs (excluding commission): $5,500 to $7,000

With commission: $25,500 to $31,000, or roughly 6.5-7.8% of the sale price

Florida sellers pay more than Texas sellers primarily because of the documentary stamp tax. In Miami-Dade, the additional surtax adds another $1,400 on a $400,000 sale.

Seller Closing Costs in Georgia

Georgia imposes a real estate transfer tax at the state level and some counties add additional taxes.

Georgia real estate transfer tax: $1.00 per $1,000 of the sale price (or $0.10 per $100). On $400,000, this is $400 — modest compared to many states.

Some Georgia counties also levy a local transfer tax. Fulton County (Atlanta) adds an additional 0.1%, bringing the total to $800 on a $400,000 sale in the city.

Typical seller closing costs in Georgia on a $400,000 sale:

• Real estate agent commission: $20,000 to $24,000
• State transfer tax: $400 (or $800 in Fulton County)
• Attorney fee: Georgia is an attorney state — a closing attorney is required. Seller's share is typically $500 to $1,000
• Title search and exam: $300 to $600
• Recording fees: $10 per page, typically $50 to $150

Estimated total seller closing costs (excluding commission): $1,500 to $3,000

With commission: $21,500 to $27,000, or roughly 5.5-6.75% of the sale price

Georgia sellers benefit from a low transfer tax rate. The attorney requirement adds some cost but is standard and expected.

Seller Closing Costs in North Carolina

North Carolina has a state excise tax on deed transfers (called the deed transfer tax or excise stamp) paid by the seller.

North Carolina excise stamp: $2.00 per $500 of the sale price (or $4.00 per $1,000). On a $400,000 sale, this is $1,600.

Typical seller closing costs in North Carolina on a $400,000 sale:

• Real estate agent commission: $20,000 to $24,000
• Excise stamp (deed transfer tax): $1,600
• Attorney fee: North Carolina is an attorney state. Attorney fees for the seller are typically $500 to $1,000
• Title search: Often handled by the closing attorney and included in their fee
• Recording fees: $26 per document, typically $75 to $150 total

Estimated total seller closing costs (excluding commission): $2,500 to $4,000

With commission: $22,500 to $28,000, or roughly 5.75-7% of the sale price

Seller Closing Costs in South Carolina

South Carolina's deed recording fee is based on the sale price at a rate of $1.85 per $500 (or $3.70 per $1,000). On a $400,000 sale, this is $1,480.

Typical seller closing costs in South Carolina on a $400,000 sale:

• Real estate agent commission: $20,000 to $24,000
• Deed recording fee / transfer tax: $1,480
• Attorney fee: South Carolina is an attorney state. Seller's attorney fees are typically $500 to $1,200
• Title exam and search: $250 to $500
• Recording fees: $15 to $25 per page, typically $50 to $150

Estimated total seller closing costs (excluding commission): $2,500 to $3,800

With commission: $22,500 to $27,800, or roughly 5.6-7% of the sale price

Key Differences Across These Five States

Florida sellers face the highest government-mandated costs due to the documentary stamp tax. Texas sellers pay the least in government fees. Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina are all moderate.

In every state, the real estate commission is the largest seller cost by a wide margin. The negotiability of that commission is worth discussing with your listing agent before you sign a listing agreement.

If you are selling and simultaneously buying, understanding both your seller net proceeds and your buyer closing costs is essential. The Closing Cost Guide includes worksheets for calculating exact closing costs on your purchase — so you can plan the full transaction, not just one side of it.