Cost to Sell a House in North Carolina: Seller Closing Costs and More

The average cost to sell a house in North Carolina is usually 5.6-9.4% of the sale price. That adds up to around $12k-21k for a typical home seller.

To calculate home selling costs in the Tar Heel state, we surveyed realtors about real estate commission rates in different NC metros. We also collected closing cost data from local title companies. Read on to learn about what you should expect to pay when selling a house in North Carolina.

Table of Contents

• Average Cost to Sell a Home in North Carolina
• Preparing to Sell
• Real Estate Commission
• Seller Closing Costs
• Home Selling Costs in North Carolina by City
  • Charlotte
  • Raleigh

Average Cost to Sell a Home in North Carolina

According to our research, it usually costs 5.6-9.4% of the final sale price to sell a home in North Carolina. This estimate includes the fees, taxes, and other expenses that most home sellers pay, including:

• Home preparation costs
• Real estate commission
• Closing costs and transfer taxes

NOTE: If you’re looking to calculate how much money you’ll make when you sell your house, you’ll need to factor in your “mortgage payoff.” The mortgage payoff is the remaining balance on any outstanding home loans. Subtract your home selling costs and mortgage payoff from the sale price to determine your “net proceeds” from the sale.

Typical North Carolina home sellers pay $12k-21k in sale-related expenses. This estimate is based on the median home value of $220k. Below, we’ve outlined the three major types of costs most sellers pay in North Carolina:

Costs	% of sale price
Realtor commission	5.4-6.2%
Seller closing costs	0.2-3.2%
Home preparation	Varies*

^{*There’s no one-size-fits-all estimate for home preparation costs. Your home’s size and condition are the primary variables you should consider. But local expectations play a role too. A real estate agent can help you gauge what home prep will cost.}

The good news is you won’t face all of these costs at once. In general, you should plan to pay for home preparation expenses out of pocket. Realtor commission and closing costs come out of your proceeds when the house sells.

Preparing to Sell in North Carolina

When calculating home selling costs, home preparation is the biggest wildcard. 

If you’re looking for a ballpark figure, Zillow estimates that getting a house ready to sell in Charlotte costs around $4,275. This estimate tallies the cost of common pre-listing projects. Examples include professional staging, painting, and lawn care.

Your actual home preparation bill will depend on the size and condition of your house. If it needs a lot of work, you can trim your overall costs by tackling some of the simpler projects yourself rather than hiring professionals.

Is It Worth Upgrading Your Home Before You Sell?

Spending big on trendy home upgrades might improve your property’s appearance. But they’re often poor investments in the long run.

According to recent data, even the “best” upgrades fail to give the average home seller in the Charlotte area much return on investment (ROI):

Highest value home upgrades (cost)	Return on investment (ROI)
Manufactured Stone Veneer ($8,695)	100.10%
Garage Door Replacement ($3,564)	91.60%
Deck Addition – Wood ($12,280)	84.30%
Siding Replacement – Fiber-Cement ($15,592)	83.10%
Window Replacement – Vinyl ($16,952)	80.40%

^{Source: Remodeling.com 2020 Cost Vs. Value Report}

If you’re considering home upgrades, we recommend talking to a real estate agent first. The most effective upgrades can vary greatly between price ranges and from one market to the next. Local realtors have the expertise to advise you on what features matter most to home buyers in your area.

What Should I Fix Before I Sell My Home?

To maximize your home’s sale price, it’s a good idea to complete major repairs before the property goes on the market.

When a home has glaring defects, many buyers won’t even consider purchasing it. Damage to critical components like the roof, foundation, or electrical system is often a red flag.

Fixing these problems before you list your house makes it easier to attract buyers. And the easier it is to attract buyers, the better your odds of securing a higher sale price.

NOTE: In North Carolina, home sellers are legally required to complete a Residential Property and Owners’ Association Disclosure Statement that describes the house and its condition. However, unlike in most states, NC sellers may indicate on the form that they’re choosing not to disclose information about the home.

The seller must deliver this disclosure statement to the buyer by the time they make an offer on the house. Failing to deliver the disclosure form on time could give the buyer the right to cancel the contract without penalty.

Choosing not to complete important repairs is a risky gamble. Even if a buyer doesn’t spot the damage before they submit an offer, they’ll likely discover it during the “due diligence” period. At best, they could ask you to make repairs, lower the sale price, or make other concessions. At worst, they could walk away from the transaction.

If you can’t afford the repairs, you can attempt to sell your house as-is. This signals to buyers that the home is a fixer-upper and that you aren’t going to fix any defects.

Real Estate Commission in North Carolina

In North Carolina, the average real estate commission rate is 5.4-6.2%, according to our survey of local realtors. That works out to $12k-14k for the median NC home, which is valued at $220k.

Here’s what you can expect realtor commission to cost based on different home sale prices:

Sale price	Realtor commission cost
$100,000	$5,400-6,200
$200,000	$10,800-12,400
$300,000	$16,200-18,600
$400,000	$21,600-24,800

Real estate commission will likely be your single largest home-selling cost. Luckily, realtor commission is negotiable. 

Shopping around for a lower commission rate is one of the best ways to save money on your home sale. Other options include selling with a discount broker, using a flat-fee listing service, and listing your house for sale by owner.

Seller Closing Costs in North Carolina

North Carolina home sellers pay an average of 0.2-3.2% of the home’s sale price in “closing costs.” This category includes all the fees, taxes, and other expenses involved with making the sale official.

The seller and buyer typically share the overall closing cost burden. Who’s responsible for what is generally based on local conventions.

In North Carolina, sellers are customarily responsible for fewer closing costs than in many other states. The standard contract template requires the seller to pay the following fees and taxes:

• Excise taxes and local conveyance fees
• Deed preparation costs
• Homeowners association (HOA) transfer fees
• Prorated property taxes

However, closing cost responsibilities are 100% negotiable between the buyer and seller. So, don’t be surprised if the buyer asks you to pay some of their closing costs.

Keep reading to learn more about the closing costs you’ll likely pay when you sell a house in North Carolina.

Excise/Transfer Taxes: 0.2%-1.2%

Home sellers are responsible for paying the excise and land transfer taxes, which cost 0.2-1.2% of the sale price.

The North Carolina state legislature has authorized every NC county to impose a 0.2% excise tax on home sales. Sellers pay this tax to the county’s register of deeds, and the proceeds are split between the local and state governments.

Six counties in eastern North Carolina levy an additional 1.0% land transfer tax:

• Camden
• Chown
• Currituck
• Dare
• Pasquotank
• Perquimans

A seventh county — Washington — has state authorization to impose the 1.0% land transfer tax but currently doesn’t levy it.

Note that the seller must also pay property taxes prorated to the date of closing. These taxes are distinct from the excise tax.

Closing Attorney/Deed Preparation Fees: ~$300-750

While the buyer typically hires the closing attorney who manages the settlement of the transaction, the seller is responsible for deed preparation fees. They can either pay the closing attorney to prepare the deed or hire a separate attorney.

Depending on the transaction, you may incur additional settlement-related costs. Plan to pay extra for services like wiring the sale proceeds to your bank or completing closing documents by mail rather than in person. These fees are usually around $25-100 each.

Homeowners Association (HOA) Transfer Fees: ~$150-500 (When Applicable)

If the property is subject to a homeowners association (HOA) that charges transfer fees, the seller usually pays them. Costs vary between communities, but they commonly range from $150-500.

Seller Concessions: Varies

Most home sellers make at least one “concession” when negotiating with buyers. This is a catch-all term for anything the seller grants the buyer in the sale contract.

In North Carolina, it’s common for sellers to pay a portion of the buyer’s sale-related expenses. Buyers shoulder a larger percentage of the closing cost burden in North Carolina than in many other states. Since buyers pay closing costs out of pocket, this burden impacts home affordability.

If a buyer’s closing cost bill is too large, they may not have enough cash left to cover the down payment they need to purchase your home. Being willing to help pay closing costs may make your home affordable to a wider pool of buyers.

Other standard seller concessions include:

• Accepting a lower sale price
• Offering a repair credit
• Purchasing a home warranty for the buyer

As a general rule, you should expect seller concessions to cost up to 2% of the sale price. Actual expenses will vary depending on your negotiating position and local market conditions. Your realtor can help you decide how generous you should be.

Average Home Selling Costs in North Carolina by City

In North Carolina, home-selling costs shouldn’t vary too much between cities. The main exception is if you’re selling in a county that levies a 1.0% land transfer tax.

Below, we’ve compiled estimates of what it costs to sell a house in Charlotte and Raleigh, the two largest cities in the Tar Heel state.

Cost to Sell a House in Charlotte, NC

• Median home value: $267k
• Average real estate commission in Charlotte: 5.4-6.2%
• Seller closing costs: 0.2-2.2%
• Typical Charlotte home sellers can expect to pay around $15k-22k to sell their home

Charlotte home sellers generally pay around 5.6-8.4% of the sale price in realtor commission and closing costs. That adds up to $15-22k, based on the median home value of $267k.

Cost to Sell a House in Raleigh, NC

• Median home value: $301k
• Average real estate commission in Raleigh: 5.5-6.3%
• Seller closing costs: 0.2-2.2%
• Typical Raleigh home sellers can expect to pay around 17k-26k to sell their home

Realtor fees in Raleigh average 5.5-6.3% of the sale price. This rate is slightly higher than the state average. So, if you’re selling a home in the Triangle, it’s a good idea to find ways to save on real estate commission.

Methodology

Home selling prices provided are meant to give prospective home sellers a ballpark figure of their costs. We utilized the following datasets to provide the analysis in this article:

• Home values – Zillow Home Value data collected in November 2020.
• Realtor commission – From our survey of 18 North Carolina real estate agents.
• Seller closing costs – From our dataset of hundreds of pricing quotes from major title companies in North Carolina.

Recommended Reading

Seller Closing Costs: Here’s Everything You Need to Know: We cover everything you need to know about closing costs in this guide: who pays what, typical rates, and some tips for reducing these fees.

What Companies Offer the Lowest Real Estate Commission Fees?: Typical commission costs are usually around 5-6% of the final sale price, which is a lot of money. However, there are some tips and tricks that you can use to keep more of your money when you sell.