Selling a home is one of the most lucrative financial transactions in the life of an average American. What many people don’t realize is that it can also be one of the most expensive.
In 2025, selling a home costs about $67,245 — more than three times what the average home seller anticipates, according to a new study from Clever Offers.
The cost has a significant impact on how sellers perceive their sales. Although 79% of sellers made a profit on their sale, up from 64% in 2024, many sellers still ended up unhappy with their sale. More than half of sellers said their profit was less than expected because of the total cost of selling, and 17% were unsatisfied with their earnings.
Regrets and Second Chances
Despite pocketing a profit, 80% of sellers had regrets about their sale. The No. 1 regret was that the real estate commission was too expensive, followed by not selling for enough money and not negotiating enough with the buyer.
Part of the sellers’ disappointment could be due to a poor pricing strategy on the front end. Forty-three percent of sellers said they had to lower their asking price. In fact, 34% of sellers said the buyer paid below the asking price, compared to just 20% who paid above it. This suggests that a firm grasp of local market dynamics and realistic expectations are essential for a positive experience.
Using an agent seems to result in more satisfaction. Around 77% of sellers who used an agent had regrets about their sale, while 86% of those who did not.
Even after the sale closed, many sellers were fixated on the money they didn’t make. Had they approached the process differently, sellers think they could have sold their home for $35,915 more on average.
If they could do their sale all over again, sellers were most likely to say they would negotiate more with the buyer. They would also consider listing their home for a higher price, waiting for more offers, budgeting differently, negotiating their agent’s commission, and waiting until home prices increase to sell.
Breaking Down the Costs
Homeowners spend an average of $67,245 to sell their home, with sellers spending the following amount on these expenses:
- Pre-listing repairs and renovations: $21,024
- Listing agent commission, based on the average-priced home: $14,204
- Optional buyer’s agent commission on the average-priced home: $13,691
- Closing costs: $8,217
- Buyer concessions: $5,277
- Moving costs: $2,439
- Marketing and home staging: $2,393
The costs generally fall into these categories:
Transaction Costs
Sellers who pay both agents’ commission spend about $27,895 on average. Agent commission is one of the largest fees that home sellers pay, but the study suggests it’s worth it. About 72% of represented sellers said their agent was worth the money.
Although 22% of sellers said they overspent on commission, agent commission can be negotiated for sellers looking to cut costs without sacrificing services.
On top of agent commission, sellers spent $8,217 in closing costs, which include a title search, credit check, and other miscellaneous expenses.
Altogether, commission and closing fees cost $36,112 on average.
Buyer Concessions
Concessions can come in many forms, including pre- and post-listing repairs and renovations. This cost can vary widely depending on the condition of the home and whether the work is done professionally, but on average, sellers spend $21,024 on repairs. Even though repairs can be pricey, sellers lose a lot of potential profit when they sell as-is.
In addition to repairs, sellers paid $5,277 in other concessions, such as paying the buyer’s closing costs, offering a home warranty, or pre-paying HOA fees.
Although concessions are often necessary to close a sale, many sellers think they gave too much. Half of the sellers said they wished they’d negotiated more with the buyer.
Home Prep and Logistics
To make the listing as appealing as possible, sellers spent an average of $2,393 on marketing and home staging. Despite the expense, 1 in 5 sellers said these costs actually helped the most in selling their home.
Sellers paid another $2,439 to move out of their home. Together with marketing expenses, home prep, and logistical expenses, the total $4,832.
An Agent’s Perspective
About 70% of sellers who didn’t use an agent did so to avoid paying agent commission. That’s up from 59% in 2024, suggesting sellers are actively looking for ways to cut costs.
But most unrepresented sellers regretted their decision, with 56% wishing they’d used an agent. The numbers confirm this gut feeling. While 84% of represented sellers made a profit, only 68% of unrepresented sellers did.
Jake Davis, a Michigan-based real estate agent, agrees that cutting some costs can actually work against a seller’s best interests.
“If money is tight, the best way to save isn’t by cutting services,” he said. “It’s by hiring the right agent who knows how to position your home, market aggressively, and negotiate inspection and appraisal in your favor. In a competitive market, it’s about using the money you already planned to spend as strategically as possible.”
