Sellers usually know the sale price they want. Fewer people have a clear picture of what comes out between that number and the wire that hits their account.
Here's the plain list. Everything below is a typical range that varies by transaction — not a quote.
Brokerage commission
This is the largest line item on almost every sale. It is fully negotiable and it's agreed in writing in the listing agreement before your home goes on the market. There's no standard or set rate, and anyone who tells you otherwise is wrong. We'll agree on it up front and it goes on paper.
Escrow and title
Escrow fees are typically a base fee plus a per-thousand charge on the sale price, so they scale with your price. Who pays which title policy is negotiable and set by local custom and your contract. Both escrow and title are quoted by the companies handling your file — you'll see the actual figures on your estimated closing statement, not a guess.
Documentary transfer tax
Orange County charges a documentary transfer tax on the sale, calculated on the sale price. It's a small line relative to the rest, but it's there, and escrow will show it on your statement.
Disclosure and required reports
California sellers pay for a Natural Hazard Disclosure report, which tells the buyer whether the property sits in a flood, fire, earthquake or other mapped zone. There are also county and city required reports and disclosures that get ordered as part of the transaction. These are typically a few hundred dollars combined.
Prorations: taxes and HOA
Property taxes are prorated to the day of closing, so you pay for the portion of the tax year you owned the home. If you're in an HOA, dues are prorated the same way, and the HOA will charge for the document package the buyer is entitled to receive.
Repair and closing-cost credits
After the inspection, buyers commonly ask for repairs or a credit in lieu of repairs. Buyers also sometimes ask the seller to contribute toward their closing costs. Both are negotiated, both are real money out of your proceeds, and both are worth planning for rather than being surprised by.
Staging and photography
Some agents cover photography, floor plans, and staging as part of their service; some bill it back to the seller. Ask exactly which of those is included before you sign, so you know whether it's a cost of yours or not.
What sellers commonly forget
Two things. First, capital gains: the primary-residence exclusion covers a lot of sellers, but if your gain runs above it, there's tax exposure. That is a question for your CPA, not your agent — I don't give tax advice and you shouldn't take it from me. Second, the payoff demand. The number your lender sends escrow is usually higher than the balance you see in your app, because it includes per-diem interest through the closing date and any fees. People see that line and think something went wrong. It didn't.
Real numbers for your property
These are typical ranges, not a quote. Your actual costs depend on your transaction, and I'll put real numbers on paper for your specific property before you list.
See the full seller breakdown →Before you pick an agent
Since commission is the biggest number here, it's worth knowing what to ask the people you interview and how to check what they tell you.
How to evaluate a Cypress listing agent →If you want the net sheet for your house before you decide anything, call or text me at 714.343.7110 and I'll build it.