You can sell a house for $750,000 in Austin and still have tens of thousands of dollars come out of the proceeds before your mortgage is paid off. The question is where that money goes, which expenses you can control, and what you will actually keep.
In the example below, a $750,000 sale with a 1% listing fee produces $53,641 in modeled selling expenses and tax adjustments, before mortgage payoff. That includes a separately negotiated 2.5% buyer-broker contribution, title insurance, a buyer credit, repairs, and preparation. Your total could be substantially lower or higher depending on your property and contract.
Here is how to build a realistic selling budget without assuming every Austin seller pays the same percentage.
Austin home-selling costs at a glance
Start with these categories. Some are paid before you list, some are deducted at closing, and others depend on what you negotiate.
| Expense | How to budget for it |
|---|---|
| Listing-agent fee | The amount in your listing agreement. One Percent Austin offers a 1% listing-side fee. |
| Buyer-broker contribution | A separate negotiated amount, if you agree to contribute. It is not included in the 1% listing fee. |
| Owner’s title insurance | Depends on the policy amount and applicable Texas rates; the contract determines who pays. |
| Settlement and document charges | Request an itemized estimate from the title company. |
| Property-tax adjustment | Depends on the tax bill, closing date, exemptions, and whether taxes have already been paid. |
| Buyer concessions | Any closing-cost assistance or other credit you agree to provide. |
| Repairs and preparation | Use actual quotes for the work your home needs. |
| Survey and HOA charges | Confirm what is required and who pays under your contract. |
| Mortgage and other lien payoffs | Reduce your proceeds separately from the cost of selling. |
A single “closing costs” percentage can hide important differences. Ask whether an estimate includes commissions, tax prorations, buyer credits, preparation, and your loan payoff before using it to plan your next move.
1. Real estate commissions: separate the two sides
Your listing fee pays for the agent representing you. Any contribution toward the buyer’s broker is a separate negotiation. Real estate compensation is negotiable; there is no legally required commission rate.
At One Percent Austin, the 1% listing service includes pricing strategy, preparation guidance, professional photography, MLS exposure, showing coordination, offer negotiation, and support through closing.
On a $750,000 sale:
- A 1% listing fee is $7,500.
- A 3% listing fee would be $22,500.
- The listing-side difference is $15,000.
The 3% figure is a comparison scenario, not a required rate or a claim about what every Austin agent charges. Savings depend on the fee you are comparing against.
Selling with a 1% listing fee does not mean your total selling costs are 1%. If you separately agree to contribute 2.5% toward the buyer’s broker, those two modeled brokerage expenses total 3.5%, before the other expenses in this guide. The 2.5% is an example, not a recommendation or requirement.
2. Title insurance and settlement charges
The owner’s title insurance policy and the title company’s settlement charges are different items. Ask for both in your estimate.
Texas regulates title insurance premiums. Using the Texas Department of Insurance rate schedule effective March 1, 2026, the basic premium for a $750,000 policy is $3,991. That is the basic premium only; endorsements and other transaction charges can add to the total.
The purchase contract determines whether the buyer or seller pays for the owner’s policy. Settlement charges can include escrow, deed preparation, and lien-release expenses. Get a property-specific quote rather than treating them as a fixed percentage.
3. Property-tax prorations
Property taxes can create a large adjustment on your closing statement. The amount depends on your closing date, the property’s taxes, and payments already made.
The TREC resale contract provides for prorating current-year taxes through closing and adjusting the calculation later if the actual bill differs. Have the title company explain the estimate and its assumptions.
For planning, an annual tax bill of $12,000 with roughly three-quarters of the year allocated to the seller would mean about $9,000. That is an illustration, not an Austin tax-rate estimate.
Also ask your mortgage servicer how any remaining escrow balance will be handled after payoff. Keep an expected escrow refund separate from the funds you expect to receive at closing.
4. Buyer closing-cost credits
A buyer may ask you to contribute toward eligible closing expenses or an interest-rate buydown. That request affects your net even if the contract price stays the same.
A $7,500 credit on a $750,000 sale costs you 1% of the price. It belongs in the budget alongside the commissions and title charges.
A seller concession is separate from an offer of broker compensation. Keep the two amounts separate when evaluating an offer. The buyer’s lender should confirm which expenses and contribution amounts are allowed.
For a closer look at the decision, read whether Austin sellers should pay the buyer’s closing costs.
5. Repairs, cleaning, landscaping, and staging
This is where a selling budget can quietly turn into a remodeling budget. A seller starts with touch-up paint and ends up considering new countertops, flooring, and a bathroom renovation.
Before approving a project, ask: Will this help the home compete enough to justify the expense and delay?
A practical preparation plan might include:
- Deep cleaning and decluttering.
- Fixing visible leaks, broken fixtures, and maintenance issues.
- Touching up damaged walls or worn paint.
- Refreshing the front entry and landscaping.
- Rearranging furniture or staging selected rooms.
A dated home in an established Austin neighborhood needs a different plan from a newer house competing with nearby builder inventory. Start with your actual competition and contractor quotes. Our Austin home-staging guide can help you decide how much presentation work makes sense.
Keep an allowance for inspection negotiations, too. A buyer may request repairs or a credit after inspecting the property. Do not count the same issue twice if you agree to a credit instead of completing the repair.
6. Survey, HOA, and other property-specific expenses
An existing survey may be usable if the required documentation is provided and it is accepted. Otherwise, a new survey may be needed; payment depends on the contract.
If your property has an HOA, ask about resale documents, transfer charges, outstanding dues, and assessments early. A condominium or a property with acreage may need a different budget from a subdivision home.
Moving, storage, temporary housing, and any rent-back arrangement also affect how much cash you need for the transition. Add those separately if they apply.
Example: what does it cost to sell a $750,000 house in Austin?
The following is an illustrative budget, not an average, quote, or guarantee. It assumes the seller pays the owner’s basic title premium and the listed charges. Other than the calculated commissions and published basic title premium, the dollar amounts are planning assumptions.
| Expense | 1% listing fee | 3% listing fee comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Listing fee | $7,500 | $22,500 |
| Buyer-broker contribution, assumed 2.5% | $18,750 | $18,750 |
| Owner’s basic title premium | $3,991 | $3,991 |
| Settlement and document charges, assumed | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| HOA/document charges, assumed | $400 | $400 |
| Property-tax adjustment, assumed | $9,000 | $9,000 |
| Buyer closing-cost credit, assumed | $7,500 | $7,500 |
| Preparation and repairs, assumed | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Total modeled expenses and adjustments | $53,641 | $68,641 |
This example assumes no new survey, no additional title endorsements, no moving expenses, and no other property-specific charges. Replace those assumptions with quotes before relying on the total.
With every other line held constant, the 1% listing fee leaves you with $15,000 more than the 3% listing-fee scenario. That difference comes entirely from the listing fee.
How much would you actually walk away with?
Your sale price is not your take-home amount. Use this calculation:
Sale price − selling expenses and adjustments − mortgage and other lien payoffs = estimated net after those items.
Using the 1% example and an assumed $425,000 mortgage payoff:
- Sale price: $750,000.
- Modeled selling expenses and adjustments: $53,641.
- Mortgage payoff: $425,000.
- Estimated net after those items: $271,359.
That figure includes the modeled $5,000 preparation expense. If you already paid it before closing, the closing disbursement would be higher by that amount, all else equal. This is why a complete selling budget and your final closing wire are not always the same number.
Request an actual payoff statement from your lender. Use the Austin seller net sheet to compare likely outcomes, then update it when you receive an offer.
How to lower your selling costs without hurting the sale
- Compare listing fees and the service included. Know who handles pricing, marketing, negotiations, and contract deadlines.
- Prepare selectively. Get advice before spending money on a renovation you may not recover.
- Price against the homes buyers can choose today. Extra months on the market add interest, taxes, insurance, utilities, and maintenance.
- Evaluate the net of each offer. A higher price with larger credits can leave you with less.
- Get estimates early. Check title charges, HOA requirements, survey availability, and loan payoff before making plans around your proceeds.
Start with our guide to pricing your Austin home if you are still deciding on a list price.
Frequently asked questions about Austin selling costs
Does a 1% listing fee cover the buyer’s agent?
No. The 1% is the listing-side fee. Any seller contribution toward the buyer’s broker is separate, negotiated, and documented in the applicable agreements.
Are all selling expenses paid at closing?
No. Cleaning, repairs, landscaping, and staging may be paid earlier. Commissions and many settlement charges are generally paid from proceeds at closing. Track both to understand the full cost.
Is paying off my mortgage a selling expense?
The payoff reduces your proceeds, but it repays existing debt. Separate it from transaction expenses so you can compare selling options clearly.
Can I use one percentage to estimate everything?
A percentage can be a rough starting point, but it can miss major expenses. A line-by-line estimate is more useful, especially when taxes, repair needs, or buyer credits are significant.
Does this estimate include income taxes on a gain?
No. Any income-tax consequences require a separate review with your tax professional. They are not included in the example.
Questions to ask before choosing a listing agent
Ask what the listing fee includes, who handles showings and feedback, how offers will be compared, and who manages inspection negotiations and closing deadlines. Confirm every fee and the scope of service in writing before signing.
For the charges on your final closing statement, see the Austin seller closing-cost guide.
Compare the listing-side fee at several home prices and review the service scope on the full-service 1% listing page. If you are considering different packages, use the discount Realtor comparison checklist.
Find out what you could keep from your Austin home sale
Before choosing a list price or committing to the next house, get a clear estimate of your proceeds. I can help you compare a realistic sale price, preparation priorities, negotiated concessions, and a 1% listing fee.
Request your free selling consultation, or call 512-799-7950 to talk through the numbers with Nick Garcia.
Cost examples are for planning only. Actual expenses depend on the property, providers, written agreements, and closing date. Commission rates are negotiable. Title-rate information checked October 2026.