The Real Cost of Selling a House in Florida (2026 Breakdown)
Last updated: February 2026
Think you'll pocket the full sale price? Think again. Here's every dollar that comes out of your proceeds—and how to keep more of them.
Written by Max Cohen
Licensed General Contractor #CGC1534000 · Florida real estate since 2014
Quick Answer
How much does it cost to sell a house in Florida? Expect to pay 8-10% of the sale price when listing with an agent—that's $28,000-$35,000 on a $350,000 home. The biggest costs: agent commissions (5-6%), closing costs (1-3%), and pre-sale repairs ($5K-$15K). Selling to a cash buyer like FL Home Buyers eliminates all three, meaning you keep every dollar of the offer.
Table of Contents
Total Cost Summary: Selling a $350,000 Florida Home
| Cost Category | Amount | % of Sale |
|---|---|---|
| Agent commissions | $17,500 - $21,000 | 5-6% |
| Documentary stamps | $2,450 | 0.7% |
| Title insurance (owner's policy) | $1,925 | 0.55% |
| Title search & settlement fees | $500 - $1,000 | ~0.2% |
| Pre-sale repairs | $5,000 - $15,000 | 1.5-4.3% |
| Staging & photography | $1,500 - $3,000 | ~0.6% |
| Prorated property taxes | $1,000 - $3,000 | ~0.6% |
| TOTAL | $29,875 - $47,375 | 8.5-13.5% |
On a $350,000 home, you could walk away with as little as $302,625 after all costs. That's a surprise to most sellers who expected to pocket something close to the sale price minus their mortgage balance.
Agent Commissions: The Single Biggest Cost
Real estate agent commissions in Florida typically total 5-6% of the sale price, split between the listing agent and buyer's agent. After the 2024 NAR settlement, commission structures are changing, but most Florida transactions still involve:
- Listing agent: 2.5-3% (you pay this directly)
- Buyer's agent: 2.5-3% (historically paid by seller, now more negotiable)
On a $350,000 sale, that's $17,500-$21,000 that comes out of your proceeds at closing. This is the single line item that cash buyers eliminate entirely—because there are no agents involved.
Florida Closing Costs Explained
Documentary Stamp Tax
Florida's transfer tax is called "documentary stamps" or "doc stamps." The seller pays $0.70 per $100 of the sale price statewide. Miami-Dade County has a slightly lower rate of $0.60 per $100.
Doc Stamps Calculator
- $200,000 home$1,400
- $300,000 home$2,100
- $400,000 home$2,800
- $500,000 home$3,500
Note: Doc stamps are paid even in cash sales. However, FL Home Buyers covers this cost for the seller.
Title Insurance
In Florida, the seller traditionally pays for the owner's title insurance policy. Rates are set by the state and calculated using a formula called the "promulgated rate":
- $5.75 per $1,000 for the first $100,000
- $5.00 per $1,000 for amounts over $100,000
For a $350,000 sale: $575 + $1,250 = $1,825. This is non-negotiable—the rate is set by the Florida Department of Financial Services.
Property Tax Prorations
Florida property taxes are paid in arrears. If you sell on June 30, you owe property taxes for January 1 through June 30. The title company calculates this at closing and deducts it from your proceeds.
Pre-Sale Repairs & Staging
Most listing agents will recommend repairs and upgrades before listing. In Florida, the most common (and most expensive) are:
| Repair | Typical Cost | Why Agents Require It |
|---|---|---|
| Roof (20+ years old) | $8,000 - $15,000 | Insurers won't cover roofs over 20 years, killing buyer financing |
| HVAC replacement | $5,000 - $10,000 | 4-point inspection requirement for insurance |
| Interior paint | $2,000 - $5,000 | First impression for showings |
| Plumbing (galvanized or poly pipes) | $4,000 - $10,000 | Insurance requirement, especially for homes pre-1975 |
| Professional staging | $1,500 - $3,000 | Helps with photos and showings |
This is the cost most sellers underestimate. A home with an old roof, aging HVAC, and galvanized pipes could need $20,000-$30,000 in repairs just to be "listable." And there's no guarantee the sale price will recoup those costs.
Cash buyers like FL Home Buyers buy homes that need major repairs as-is—you skip all of this.
Holding Costs While Listed
The average Florida home takes 60-90 days to sell when listed with an agent (from listing to closing). During that time, you're still paying:
- Mortgage payment: $1,500-$2,500/month
- Property taxes: $250-$600/month
- Insurance: $200-$500/month
- Utilities: $150-$300/month
- HOA (if applicable): $100-$500/month
Three months of holding costs on a typical Florida home: $6,600-$11,700. If the first buyer falls through (happens in ~20% of transactions), add another 2-3 months.
Capital Gains Tax in Florida
The good news: Florida has no state income tax, which means no state capital gains tax either.
Federally, if the home was your primary residence for at least 2 of the last 5 years, you can exclude:
- $250,000 of gain (single filers)
- $500,000 of gain (married filing jointly)
For most Florida homeowners, this means zero federal capital gains tax. The exclusion applies even if the home was rented out for part of the time, as long as you meet the 2-of-5-year residency test.
If the home is an inherited property, you get a stepped-up basis that typically eliminates capital gains entirely.
Agent Sale vs. Cash Buyer: The Real Comparison
| Factor | List with Agent | Sell to FL Home Buyers |
|---|---|---|
| Sale price ($350K home) | $350,000 | ~$280,000-$310,000 |
| Agent commissions | -$17,500 to -$21,000 | $0 |
| Closing costs | -$4,875 to -$5,925 | $0 (we pay) |
| Repairs | -$5,000 to -$15,000 | $0 |
| Holding costs (90 days) | -$6,600 to -$11,700 | $0 |
| Net to seller | $296,375 - $316,025 | $280,000 - $310,000 |
| Time to close | 90-180 days | 7-30 days |
| Certainty | ~80% (financing can fall through) | 100% |
The key insight: The net-to-seller difference is often much smaller than people expect. When you factor in all the costs of a traditional sale, a cash offer at 80-85% of market value can put nearly the same amount in your pocket—and you get it months sooner with zero hassle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to sell a house in Florida?
8-10% of the sale price with an agent, including commissions (5-6%), closing costs (1-3%), and repairs. Cash buyers eliminate these costs.
Who pays closing costs in Florida?
Sellers pay doc stamps, title insurance, and prorated taxes. Buyers pay mortgage fees, appraisal, and inspection. Everything is negotiable.
What are documentary stamps?
Florida's transfer tax: $0.70 per $100 of sale price ($0.60 in Miami-Dade). On a $350K home, that's $2,450.
Do I pay capital gains tax?
Florida has no state capital gains tax. Federally, you can exclude up to $250K/$500K if the home was your primary residence for 2+ of the last 5 years.
Can I sell with zero fees?
Yes. Cash buyers like FL Home Buyers pay all closing costs and charge no commissions. The offer is what you take home.
Want to Know Exactly What You'll Net?
Get a no-obligation cash offer. No agent commissions, no closing costs, no repairs. The number you see is the number you get.
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Max Cohen
Licensed General Contractor • Buying Florida homes since 2014