The cost to sell a house in San Diego typically runs about 6% to 8% of your sale price once you add commission, escrow, title, and county transfer tax — so on a $1.1M home you’re looking at roughly $62,000 to $80,000 before your mortgage payoff. I’m Amara, and I build a real seller net sheet for every owner I sit down with, because “what will I actually walk away with?” is the only number that matters.
This is for San Diego sellers who want the honest math before they list — not a scary lump sum, but a line-by-line breakdown you can actually plan around in a market that’s balanced but pickier than it was a year ago.
Quick answer
- Plan for roughly 6–8% of the sale price in total selling costs before your loan payoff.
- The biggest line is agent commission — now fully negotiable after the 2024 NAR settlement.
- San Diego County transfer tax is $1.10 per $1,000; most San Diego cities add no extra city transfer tax.
- Your net is what’s left after costs and your remaining mortgage — that’s the figure to build your next move on.
What it costs to sell a house in San Diego, line by line
Here’s a realistic net sheet on an illustrative $1,100,000 San Diego sale. Every number is negotiable or varies by property, so treat this as a planning framework, not a quote.
| Cost | Who pays | Illustrative on $1,100,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Real estate commission (~5%, negotiable) | Seller | $55,000 |
| Escrow fee (seller half) | Split 50/50 | ~$1,300 |
| Owner’s title policy | Seller (SD custom) | ~$4,400 |
| County transfer tax ($1.10/$1,000) | Seller | $1,210 |
| Recording & misc fees | Seller | ~$150 |
| HOA docs/transfer (if applicable) | Seller | ~$400 |
| Total selling costs | ~$62,460 (≈5.7%) | |
| Prep, cleaning & staging (optional) | Seller | $3,000–$8,000 |
On this example, total selling costs land near $62,460 before any staging. Subtract that from your price, then subtract whatever you still owe on your mortgage, and you’ve got your true net proceeds.
The commission line: what the NAR settlement changed
Commission is the single biggest cost, and it’s no longer a fixed “6% and done.” After the 2024 National Association of REALTORS® settlement, buyer-agent compensation is negotiated separately and disclosed up front. Statewide, California commissions have been averaging right around 4.99%. A listing agent might charge 2.5–3% for their side, with buyer-agent compensation handled deal by deal. The takeaway: ask what you’re paying for, and make sure the marketing plan earns it.
How the cost to sell scales with price
Because most costs are percentage-based, your total moves with your price. At roughly 5.7% all-in (commission-led), here’s the rough shape across San Diego price points:
| Sale price | Est. total selling costs (~5.7%) | Net before mortgage payoff |
|---|---|---|
| $900,000 | ~$51,300 | ~$848,700 |
| $1,100,000 | ~$62,700 | ~$1,037,300 |
| $1,400,000 | ~$79,800 | ~$1,320,200 |
You don’t control mortgage rates or the market — but you fully control your price, your prep, and who you hire. That’s where your net is won.
With San Diego’s median sale price sitting near $1.05–$1.08M in mid-2026 and homes still selling around 99% of list, well-prepared, correctly priced homes are still moving — but buyers are scrutinizing condition and price harder than they did at the 2021 peak. Spending a little on smart pre-listing prep and getting the pricing right the first week usually protects your net far more than it costs.
Cost to sell a house in San Diego: FAQ
Do sellers pay closing costs in San Diego?
Yes — sellers typically cover commission, their half of escrow, the owner’s title policy, county transfer tax, and any HOA transfer fees. Buyers cover their own loan and lender costs.
What is the transfer tax in San Diego?
The county documentary transfer tax is $1.10 per $1,000 of sale price. Most San Diego cities do not add a separate city transfer tax, so on a $1.1M sale it’s about $1,210.
How do I find my exact net?
Have an agent run a personalized net sheet using your address, price, loan payoff, and HOA. It takes a few minutes and replaces guesswork with a real number.
Want your real net, not an estimate?
I’ll build you a personalized San Diego seller net sheet — costs, payoff, and what you’ll actually walk away with. No pressure, just clarity.
Amara Berg, CA DRE #01961620 · Big Returns, CA DRE #02322119. All figures are illustrative estimates for planning only and are not a guarantee of costs or proceeds; your actual numbers depend on price, loan payoff, HOA, and negotiated terms. This is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice.